South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1835-05-23
A THRILLING SPEECH.


BILE battle of Lexington, the beginning OF
the American Revolution, was celebrated
at Danvers, Massachusetts, as well as at
Lexington, by public procession, atten-
ded by brilliant escort, an address, and
the laying Of corner stone ola monu-
ment to be erected by the enterprizing
citizens of Danvers to the memory the
seven citizens of that town who fell at
the battle Of Lexington. At the place
where the Monument is to bs erected,
the assembled people we're addressed BY
the venerable GIDEON Foster, 1.-THE sur
viving commander Of the Danvers COM
pany who repaired to Lexington on the
morning oftbe battle and fought bravely
the glorious fight of their country, lin
the following eloquent strains BALM
PAT.
FRrENDs AND FELLOW CITIZENS:
On the ever memorable 10Th day of
April, 1775, now sixty years past, it
was my fortune to meet in this place.
with numbers Of my fellow citizens, to
defend the rights and liberties Of my
country. The alarm Of war was sound
ed. The first blood Of Americans was !
then she'd. On the plains Of Licking.
ton the roar of arms was then sound.
ing-the strife OF war was then raging.
On tha, morning more. than one hum
dred Of my townsmen fastened TO the
field of battle---unused to the artitices
OF war --unskilled 10 the arts Of Staying
their fellow men---their hearts were
flowing with zeal in their country's
cause, and ready to offer theft. lives on
the alter OF their liberties. Seven OF
those who thus started in the prime Of
life and vigor Of manhood, ere that
days sun descended in the west, were
numbered with the dead. Many 9th.
ers have marks ofthe well.directed fire
ofthe enemy.
To perpetuate the memory of those
who then offered their lives for their
country's good, TO perpetuate the prin-
ciples with which they were actuated,
is the purpose Of this days meeting
is the purpose OF the monument, the
foundation of which has now been laid.
May this purpose be attained-may
those principles be remembered, and
made the rule Of action, in all coming
time and may the names which are
here recorded endure until the granite
Of our own hills shall be crumbled in
the dust.
I was then 26 years Of age. About
10 days before, / had been chosen 10
command a company of minute men
who were at all times to be in readi
ness at moments warning. They al
assembled on the very spot where we
this day assemble; they all wen. and
in about four hours from the time o
meeting, they travelled on foot (full hal
the way upon the rum sixteen miles, &
salu,ed the enemy. This they did mos
effectually ; as the records OF that da,
most clearly prove. ] discharged M
musket at the enemy number of times
q think eleyen,) with two balls eac
time, and with well directed aim. Nj
comrade, (Mr. Cleaves, Of Beverly,
who was then standing by my side, ha
his finger and ramrod cut away by
shot from the enemy.
Whether my shots took effect, can
not say but this l eau say; if the
did not it was not for want Of deter
| mined purpose, in him who sent then
OF those under my immediate com
mand, there is no one left alive. Thre
Of them were slain on that day.
lone remain to tell their story. |,
totteIing old man, through the good
ness of God, am still permitted to {
here. / am permitted to see this day
ascending sun, and to witness the,
interesting ceremonies. can tru
say 1t is one Of the happiest days, au
most pleasing events Of my life.
few days more at most, and perhaI
very few, and also shall be numbe
ed with the dead.
| But while 1 see the spirit that mo
ed the Patriots of 76, bright and vigo
Gus in the breasts OF their descendant
while l see the rights of my fellos
citizens maintained, and the Cone
tuition OF my coua,ry defended G
say with Simeon OF old, now Lord,
test thou thy servant depart in pead
for niue eyes have seen the salvati
+ of Ny COUNTRY.
IMAGINATION.
| Imagination must be considered as