The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-06-22

inal termination Of human existence on earth, the
object and purpose of this edifce will be known, til
hat hour shall come. And even if civilization should
DC subverted, and the truths of the Christian Religion
)oscured by new deluge of barbarsm, the rmory
81 Bunker Hill and the American Revolution will
'uli be elements and parts of the knowledge which
shall be possessed by the last man. to whom the light
Of civilization and Christianity shall be extended.
This celebration is honored by the presence of the
Chief Executive Magistrate of the Union. An oc-
cason so National in its object and character, and SO
much connected with that Revolution, from which
the Government sprang, at the head of which he is
placed, may well receive from him this mark of at
tenton and respect. Well acquainted with York
town. The scene of the las great military struggle OF
the kevoluti n, his eye now surveys the field OF
Dunker Hill, the theatre of the first of these import
ant conflicts. He where Warren fell, where
Putnam and Prescott and Stark and Knowton and
Brooks fought He behoids the spot where thou
sand traioed soldiers of England smten to the
earth in the first effort of Revolutionary war, by the
arm of bold and determined yeomanry, contendng
lot liberty and their country. And while all assem-
)led here entertail towards HIM sincere personal
good Wishes and the high respect due to his elevated
ohce and station, 1t is not to be doubted that he en-
ters with true American feeling into the patriotic
enthusiasm, kindled Ivy the occasion, which animates
the millions which surround him.
His Exceehcy the Governor of the Common
wealth, the Governor Of Rhode Island and the other
distinguished public men, whom we have the honor
y unite In celebration connected with the great
event Of the Revolutionary war.
NO name In the history OF l115 and 1875 is more
distinguished than that OF President Of the United
Staiea, whom we expected to here but whose i'll
health prevents his attendance. Whenever opular
tights were to be asserted, an Adams was present
and when the time came for the formal Declaration
vi Independence, 1t was the voice of an Adams that
shook the Halls of Congress. We wish we cou d
have welcomed to us, this day. the inheror of Revo-
nj md ba
i've OF high Revolutionary names, merit and services
Banners and badges, professions and flags, an
nounce 10 us that amidst this uncounted multitude
are thousands of natives of New England, now resi-
tents IN other Sites. Welcome, ye kindred names,
with kindred blood From the broad savannas If the
South, from the newer regions of the West, from
amidst the hundreds of thousands of men of Eastern
orig NJ who cultivate the rich valley of the Genesee
or 1--we along the chain of the Lakes from the
tans of Pennsy vana and the thronged cities of the
coast welcome, welcome Wherever else YOU may
De strangers, here you are all at home. You assem-
bic at this shrine of liberty, the family affairs
which your earliest devotions paid to Heaven !;
near to the temples of worship, first ent red by you
and near 10 the schools and colleges, in which your
education received You come hither with
glorious ancestry Of Liberty. You bring names,
which are on the rolls of Lexington, Concord and
Bunker Hill. You come, some Of you, once more to
be embraced by an aged Revolutionary father, to
receive another, perhaps last blessing, bestowed in
love and tears by mother yet surviving to witness
and to enjoy your prosperity and happiness.
But if family associations and The recollections of
the past, bring you hither with greater alacry and
mlngle with your greeting much of local attachment,
and private atecti n greeting also be given, free and
hearty greeting, to every American citizen, who
treads the sacred soil, with patriotic feeling, and
spires with pleasure, in atmosphere fragrant with
the recollections of IT'S. This occasion respecta
ble-nay, il is grand it is sublime, by the nationality
OF It's sentiment In the seventeen millions of happy
people, who form the American community, there is
not one who has not rest in this Monument as
there Is not one that has not deep and abiding ine
rest in that which it CONNIE morates.
woe betide the man, who brings to this DAYS wor-
ship feeling less than wholly American! Woe belide
the man, who can stand here with the fires of local
resentments burning, or the purpose of fomenng l-
cal Jealousles, and the strifes of local interests es
terng and ranking in his heart. Union founded in
justice, in patriotism, and the plain and obvious
common interests union, founded on the same love of
liberty, cemented by blood shed in the same common
cause union has been the of all our glory and
greatness thus lar, and is the ground Of all high
est hopes. This column stands on Union know
not that 1t might not keep its position if the Ameri-
can Union, in the mad conflict of human passions
and I'D the strife OF parties and factions should be
broken up and destroyed. know not that it would
totter and tall to the EARTH and ming its fragments
with the fragments of Liberty and the Constitution,
when State should be separated from State and fac
tIon and dismemberment OblIterate forever all the
hopes OF the founders of our Republic and the gre at
inheritance OF their children. 1t mis- ht stand But
who, from beneath the weight of modification and
shame, that would Cypress him. could look up TO be-
hold nf For my pat, should live 20 such time,
shall avert my eyes from il forever.
II is not as mere military encounter of hostile ar
mics, that the battle of Bunker Hill POUNDS its prnci
pal claim to attention. Yet even as a mere hattie
there were circumstances attending it, extraordinary
IN character and emitting it to peculiar distinction
III was fought on tbs emnence in the neigh borhood
OF yonder city IN the presence OF more spectators
than there were combatants in the conflict. Men,
women and children, from every commanding posi-
uon were gazing at the battle and looking fH ITS re-
suit with all the eageness natural TO those who knew
that the issue was iraught with the deepest conse
quences to them. Yet, the sixteenth of June
l775, there was nothing around this bin but verdure
and culture. There was, indeed the note of awfnl
preparation IN Boston. There the provincial ar
my at Cambridge with its right flank resting on Dor
chester, and ITS left on Chelsea But here ALI was
peace. Tranquility reigned around.
On the seventeenth, every thing was CHANGED On
yonder height had arisen, IN the night red 1ubt in
which Prescott commanded. Perceived by the enc
my at dawn, IT was Immediately cannonaded from tbe
floating batteries in the river and the opposite shore
ana then ensued the hurry OF preparation in Boston
and soon the troops of Britain embarked in the at,
tempt TO disodge the colonists
i suppose 1t would be difficult in n n,ilto-,, oi,
oil view, to ascrbe 10 the leaders ON either Ia 80
just motive Tor the conflict which followed On the
Cne hand 1t could not have been very important TO
the Americans TO attempt to hem the British With;
the town by advancing one single post quarter Of
mile while, on the other hand, If The British found
IT essential to dislodge the American troons be, IA
II IN their power, at no expense Of life By MOVING
up their ships aud batteries they could have COM
petely cut on all communication with the main land
over the neck, and the forces in the redoubt would
nave been reduced TO state of famine in forty
eight hours ''y
But that was not the day for any such cons;der,-
ton on either SIDE Bot parties were anxious 70
try The streng h OF their arms The pride of Enr,
land would not permit the rebels, as she termed
them, to defy her T. the teeth, and without for a
nolpen' csicuIathg me cost, the British General de-
termined to destroy The fort immediately o. e.
other SIDE, Prescott and his gallant followers onred
and th'rsted for conflict. They wished it. and wish
ed 1t at once. And this is the true secret or ,bs
movements on this hill " VIZ
WIN not attempt to describe the battle. The