Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-07-11

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comrades. nobty fell h The esuss - Ansr;-
cen lndepsndeace. You, Mr. Secretary Csss.
may well cherish the memory Of chat day,
for Jour father bore hh share in in paris
and IL glory. Starkb regiment, where he
fought, WA stationed not very far from The
spot where you stADd.
We BID you. Mr.. President, who, like those
OF our fathers have expossd Jour life In the
cause Of Jour couptry, and more favored than
they, have been permitted 10 epjoy the fruit
OF your tolls and dangcs,--we bid you vel
como to the Preeisus spot. Most Of thoss
who have preceded you in the chief magic
sracy-washinstoo, Adams, Monroe, and
your immediate predecessor, have trod
before you,-snd but few years since,
the Nations Guest, the great and good L.
fayettey msde hh pilgrimage 70 the same vspc-
radio Precinch- To you, SIR, who under
frovidencc conducted the banners OF the
country to victory. in the last struggle Of the
american arms, II must be peculiarly CRATE
iui 10 stand upon tho spot, immortalized a.
the scene Of the first momsntous conflict.
We have thought IL might not be unvel-
como t0you TO possess some Joint memorial
Ut these two evcntful days, and such an one
! now hold in my hands; n grape shot dug
rom The sod beneath our feet, and q cannon
ball from tho battle field Of New Orleans.
brought from tho enclosure within which
your he headquarters were established. They
arc preserved in one casket and on be,
haif oil the citizens Of chsrleStowp, 4 now
present them TO YOU, IN the hope that thew
VIII perpemate in your mind an acce ptabIe
association Of the 18th June 1875, and the
9Th Of January, l6l5:-the dates Of the first
ana last great battles fought under the Ameri-
can standard.
To designate, in all coming time, the place
OF the first Of these eventr.h contests, the
gratitude OF this generation is rearing "a
lestc monument on the sacred spot. We
invite you, sir, TO ascend IL, and behold from
It's elevation lovely scene Of town and
county, specimen not able of this
portion OF tho great republic, whose interests
nave oeen conhded toyour care, rs chief ma
mat you have taken an opportunity OF ac
curing personal knowledge Of its charac.
ter. Less fertile than those other portions
OF the Union, its wealth is in its population,
us institutions, its pursuits-its schools and
It's churches. We doubt not you will find.
In your extensive journey, that the great
springs OF its prosperity are In harmony with
the interests and welfare Of every other
part OF our common county.
The spot on which We are gathered IL not
the place Tor adulation. Standing over the
ashes Of zen who died for liberty, we can
speak no language but that Of frcemen. In
an address to the chief magistrate Of the u.
States, there Is no room for Que word of COM
pliment or asttery. But with grateful rcmem.
brance Of your services to the country, with
becoming respect for your station, the most
exalted on earth and with saaniusous ap-
probation Of the firm, resolute and patriotic
stand which you assumed, in the late alarm
ing crisis OF Affairs, in order TO preserve
that happy union under one constitutional
head for the establishment of which those
streets were wrapped in fire, and this hill
was drenched in blood with one heart and
one voiee-we bid you welcome 10 Bunker
Hill.
THE PRksIpExr's REPLY
sir-For the kind reception you have given
me. In behalf Of the citizens Of CbarIe.to~,n
and for the friendly sentiments expressed on
This occasion, return you my sincere thanks.
1t Is one Of the most gratifying incidents
Of nay life, to meet my fellow citizens upon
Bunker HILL at the base OF that Monument
which their patriotism erected, and upon the
sacred spot hailowsd BY SO many Interesting
recoliections "A spot rich in the yarious
national objects 10 presents To view. and rich
still In the associations, moral and historical.
which belong 10 IT,
The earlier incidents Of the revolutions -
lne high-toncd patriotic declarations the
steru determination to meet the coming
events, and the vigorous preparations 20 re-
'ist them successfully tho great battle
which opened the revolutionary contest.
whose full results upon human institutions
are yet TO be disclosed, and in which,-ifi
your sacred Mount was lost, and if your de-
Foied town was consumed ,-imperlshab
zIory vas ,eqnIrsd The services, the saeri- |
acss, ana the suheEings OF this generous and
enlightened State, and the memory of tho -
nowned nen she has furnished for the seI8
ma The cabinets all these reeoIIcctious
crowd upon the mind, and render this one Of
me high places, where the American citizen
WI ever repair, 10 Contemplate the past
lnd indulge in the anticipation Of the future.
ANA when TO all these are added your mo- |
raj, social, literary and religious institutions.
your happy equality g fcondition--your chm.
ritabse esiablishments--yuur foundations for
general diffusion of knowledpe
your industry and enterprize, when
We reject that most Of this is common 10 the |
New England States, you may well DO proud |
~ Jour nau'e land, and our country may
well be proud Of New England.
have seen much 70 admire ana er0uI.,.
nothing TO excite regret,-and n nv iogrn.v
be attended with no other result 70 mVseH |
shall feel amply repaid, by visiting this fair
prospect OF human comfort, and BY finding |
that, however high bad rated the mosal and !
intellectual character Of the Eastern portion
d The Union, had yet TO learn, that I had
ret TO learn, that bad not done IL iustics.-
do DOT speak Of the personal kindness \
have met with; ! cannot But the iupre.- |
'iou y on my heart, Il will only leave me
shen lie departs.
accept With gratitude the interesting
relics yoe have presented TO me. lam sugs
speak The sentiments Of my fellow soIdier, |
lPon The plains Of New Orleans, when sav |
hat 70 b associated with the memory 81
nat band Of patriots, who fought with War
81, Hhsn he scslSd his principles wiih NJ. |
ne, y We highest mesd 81 praise, which our |
'Oan,.J eoald oestov. en- sensible that We |
i've u 70 partial estimate Of our 1870
. vas my good fortuns on hat evsnsfnl dsv.
= teea an army conDossd Of American ciii. 1
tens, appreetating the valus az abs Drizo h. 4