Final answer:
In the context of the passage, 'confer' means to bestow or grant, as in bestowing honor and hope upon newfound freedom.
Step-by-step explanation:
The meaning of confer in the context of the provided passage is to bestow or grant. In other words, the phrase “confer glory and hope to newborn liberty” suggests that the presence and celebrations are bestowing honor and the prospect of a better future upon the newly established freedom.
This concept is symbolic of the broader themes found in American history, including the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln, where the dedication of a battlefield was to honor those who fought for the nation's liberty and the future of its citizens.