GAULLE Charles de. L. A. S. "Charles", Aleppo Tuesday [26 November 1929], to his wife Yvonne de GAULLE in Beirut; 3 pages and a half in-8 headed Réunion des officiers d'Alep. Speech given at the prize-giving ceremony at Saint-Joseph University in Beirut. "An assembly is a concert of feelings. The beautiful ceremony that brings us together today does not fail to arouse many of them: in the masters, just pride in the work accomplished; in the disciples, joy at the rest well earned; in the parents, satisfaction at the knowledge acquired by their sons and concern for tomorrow [...] Whatever our age or position, we all feel a similar emotion at the sight of the beautiful youth whose ranks are pressed together. Youth spreads the contagion of ardour around it. Imbued with hope, they are embellished by all the hopes that their elders pin on them. After the ordeals we have been through, we are more aware than ever of how precious is this reserve of strength from which the human race draws to renew itself. The world certainly needs renewal. Young people, what stamp will you put on your time? [...] Hellenism, Roman strength, the spread of Christianity, the classical order, the French Revolution, recent imperialism, today's social evolution - these are not just the result of circumstance. These great movements would be inconceivable without the fire of minds and souls, the passion for an ideal. [...] Yes, dedication to the common good is what is needed, because the time has come to rebuild. And it is precisely for you, the youth of Lebanon, that this great duty takes on an immediate and imperative meaning, for you have a homeland to build. On this marvellous soil steeped in history, supported by the ramparts of your mountains, linked by the sea to the activities of the West, helped by the wisdom and strength of France, it is up to you to build a state. [...] There can be no state without sacrifice! In fact, it was sacrifices that gave rise to the State of Lebanon. The new Beirut knows this, having dedicated its first two monuments to the memory of your martyrs and to the glory of the French soldiers. [...] Yes, the Lebanese youth who will leave here tomorrow will be well prepared for their task. national task. [...] This elite will be the ferment of a people henceforth charged with the weighty duties of freedom". LNC, p. 728. The typescript with autograph corrections is attached (3 pages in-4).