Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-07-06
WOODSTOCK. VIRGINIA: JULY s, 1913

oiaLe Vi MONDAY and under the inllde
eifulgence OF lunar light, it looks, speaks
: acts to the full comprehension Of ever,
j American mind, and awakcns the high
, est enthusiasm in every American heart
It's silent but awful utterance-tIe dee,
pathos with which, as we look upon it
/, 1t brings before us the 18th OF June
l775, the consequences which resulted
I from the events of that day, to US, tt
this continent, and to the world-conse
? quences which we know must continue
and rain their influence on The destinies
, OF mankind to the end of time-surpass
all the most aruous study Of the closet,
and even the Inspiration Of genius. To
. day-to-day it speaks to us. lis future
auditory will be found in the succeeding
generations OF men, as they rise before
1t and gather around it. 1t speaks,
and will ever speak, of courage and
patriotism-o religion, liberty, and good
government, and of the renown of those
who sacrificed themselves for the good Q.
theis country. In the elder world, many
gigantic fabrics are still in existence,
reared by human hands, the mystery OF
whose erection is lost in the darkness Of
ages. They are monuments of nothing
but the power of man. The mighty
yranlid Itself, which has stood for thou.
sands OF years amid the sands of Africa,
brings down and reports to US nothing
but the power Of kings and the servitude
OF their people. AS 10 any high senti-
ment, any no5,e admonition or wise les
son Oh instruction, or any great end of
its existence, it is as silent as the million
OF human beings who lie in the dust at
its base, or slunber in the catacombs
around it. There is no Just object now
! known, to accomplish which the hands of
mankind raised its immense proportions
to heaven; and its contemplation excites
IN the human mind, in our day, no feel
ing but of power and of wonder. But
II cur present civil institutions, founded
as they are on solid science, enlightened
moral sentiment, and the elevating truths
OF the Christian religion, are destined
to perish, this monument and the fame
oi those whose deeds it is to honor and
commemorate, will still be dear tc the
heart OF every true American. Its OBJ
Ject will be known till that dreadful
hour shall come, and that knowledge
will not even then fade from the minds
of our race. II civilization is destined
TO be again overcome by another de,uge
OF barbarism. still the memory Of Bun.
ker Hill, and Of the events with which
It's connected, will be part and parcel
OF the elements of light and civilization,
which shall remain in the mind of the
last man to whom the influence of the
Christian religion shall extend
This celebration is honored by the
presence of the Chief Magistrate of the
nation, ard of the distinguished ndvi-
duais who have been selected as his con-
stitutionai advisers. 1t IS fitting that it
should be SO.
All occasion so national in its charac-
ter, so Intimately connected with the
Revolution out Of which the Government
grew, at the head of which he has been
placed by the voice Of his fellow-citizens,
peculiarly deserves from him this mark
ofrespect. FamiiiarIy acquainted as he
is with Yorktown, the scene of the last
military effort of that eventual struggle.
be has now had the opportunity to>behold
the amphitheatre in which the first of the
great contests of the Revolution took
place. He has seen where Warren fell
where Stark, KnowIton, Putnam,
McCleary, and their brave associates,
fought-whe:e thousand of the choicest
regular troops of England were smitten
to the earth by the hands CT: the yeo-
many Of New England. With his heart
full Of American feeling, he comes to-
day to participate in the enthusiasm, to
indulge the grateful! recoilections, and
to share in the fullest degree those patri-
otto emotions, which this day and tins
occasion are calculated to excite.
\ His Exeellency the Governor Of this
/ Commonwealth is also present with us;
nor can it be doubted that he enters
deeply into the enthusiasm of an occa-
sion intended to celebrate an event SO
+ highly honorable to the people OF the
Commonwealth over which it has been
| his good fortune 70 be called to preside.
4 Banners and flag, professions and
badges, announce to US that with this vast
multitude have come thousands of the
sons Of New England, now resident in
other States. Welcome. welcome. We
of kindred name and kindred blood
! Cheers. From the broad savannahs OF
! the South-trom the new regions of the
West-from among the thousands OF
New England origin who dwell IN the
fertile valley OF the Genesee. and along
the chain of the Lakes-from the noun
tains of Pennsylvania, and from the
thronged and crowded cities of the coast
from whatever distant State or foreign
land to which your wandering feet may
have strayed---you are at home here.
i (Ihree cheers.) You have glorious an
cestry OF liberty. Yeu bring with you
names which are found on the rolls OF
4 Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill!
| You come here to the shrine Of liberty e.
rected near the family affairs at which
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