The Answer:
That quote can be found on the official seal
of Kentucky, which was codified in 1792. It is believed that
Governor Isaac Shelby adapted it from a line in "The Liberty Song,"
written in 1768 by John
Dickinson. Here's the relevant excerpt:
Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all,
By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall;
In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed,
For heaven approves of each generous deed.
A later song, George Pope Morris's "The Flag of Our Union," uses
the adapted line.
A song for our banner! The watchword recall
Which gave the Republic her station:
United we stand, divided we fall!
It made and preserves us a nation!
(It should be noted that Morris was born in 1802, so his song
clearly came after Kentucky adopted the
motto.)
—The Editors
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