Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-06-27
MIR. WEBSTER'S GRAFTON
AT BUNKER HILL,
On The seoealeeath day Of June, 1913.

Boston Courier.
duty has been performed work OF gratitude
and patriotism IS completed. This structure, having
IT'S foundations in soil which drank deep Of carly
Vonary blood has al length reached it's destined height,
and now hits lis summit to the skies.
we have assembled to celebrate the accom- lishment
oil TINS undertaking. and 10 indulge afresh in the
coilecton OF The great event which it is designed 10
commemorate Eighteen years, than half the
ordinary DURATION OF a generation of mankind, have
elapsed since the cornerstone of this monument was
lad. II ne hopes OF its projectors rested voluntary
contributions, private mun6cence, and the general
favor ihe public. These hopes have not been disap
pointed Donations have been made by individuals in
some cases OF large amount, and smaller sums contri-
bueo oy thousands. All who regard the object itself
as important, and it's accomplishment, therefore,
good attained, will entertain sincere respect and graft
tuGe Tor The unwearied efforts Of the successive Prcsi
dents, Boards of Directors and Committees Of the As.
soca;ioa which have Fad thu general control of the
work. The architect equally entitled to our thanks
and commentator, will find other reward also for his
labor End skill the beauty and elegance of the obelsk
itself, and The distinction which, work Of art, it
confers on him.
Az period, when the prospects OF further progress
IN the undertaking were gloomy and discouraging, the
Mechanic Association, by most praiseworthy and
vigorous effort, raised new funds for carrying it for
ward, ana saw them applied with hde ity, economy,
and skill 1t is grateful duty to make public ac-
acknowledgements Of such timely and efficient mid
The last effort and The last contribution were from
different source. GaTlands OF grace and elegance
destined TO crown work which had lis commencement
IN manly patriotism. The winning power of The K
addressed itself 10 the public, and all that was needed
to carry the monument 10 its proposed height and give
to 1t IT'S finish, was promptly supplied The mothers
and the daughters Of the land contributed thus most
successfully, to whatever Of beauty in the obelsk
ITSELF Whatever Of utility, and public benefit and
qualification in lis completion.
O those with whom the plan Of erecting this
spot monument, worthy Of the event to be CONNIE
morateo, originated many are now presentbnt others,
alas have themselves become subjects of monumen-
tai inscription. William Tudor an accomplished
scholar, distinguished writer, most amable man,
allied both by birth and sentiment to the patriots of
the Revolution, died while public service abroad,
and now lies buried in foreign land. William Snlli
van, name fragrant of revolutionary merit, and OF
public service and public virtue, who himself parook
in high degree, Of the respect and confidence of the
community, and yet was always most loved where
best known, has also been gathered to his fathers
And last, George Blake, lawyer of learning and
eoquence, man of wit and of talent, of social quail
ties the most agreeable and fascinating, and Of gifts
which enabled him 10 exercise large sway public
assemblies has closed his human career. know that
in the crowds before me, there those from whose
eyes copious tears will flow at the mention of these
names. But such mention is due 10 their general cha
racer, their public and private virtues, and especially
this occasion, TO the spirit and zeal with which they
entered into the undertaking. which is completed.
| have spoken only Of those who not now mum.
bered with The living. But long life, now drawing
towards It's close, always distinguished by acts Of
public spirit, Humanity, and charity; forming charac
ter which has already become historical, and sancii.
fed by public regard and by the affection of friends
may confer, the living. the proper immunity
OF the dead and be the fl. subject of honorable men,
lion and warm commentator. OF The early p.ojec
Of the design Of this monument, one of the most
prominent, the most Jealous, and the most efficient, is
Thomas II, Perkins Ii was beneath his hospiia
hle roof that those whom have nenoned he re-
yet living and now present. having assembled for the
purpose adopted the first step towards erecting
nument Bunker Hill. Long may he remain with
unimpaired faculties in the wide field Of his useful.
ness His charities have distilled like the dews Of
heaven; he has fed the hungry and co,hed the naked;
he has gwen sight TO the blind; and for such virtues
| there is reward On high. of which all human memo
rails al! language of brass and stone, but humble
types and attempted limitations.
Time and nature have had their course in diminish
ing the number of those whom met here the 18th
OF June, 1925. Most OF tho Revolutionary charac-
ters then present have since deceased and Lafayette
sleeps in his native land. Yet the and blood of
Warren are with US; the kindred Of Putnam are also
here and NEAR me, universally beloved Tor his charac.
ter end his virtues, and venerable for his years,
sits The son of the noble hearted and daring Prescott
Gideon Foster, of Danvers; Enos Reynolds, of Box
ford; Phineas Johnson, Robert Andrews, Elijah Ores
ser, Josiah Cleaveland Jesse Smith, Philip Bugley,
Needham Maynard, Roger Plaisled Joseph Stephens,
| v,
for their country either at Concord and Lexington on
the 18th OF April or on Bunker HILL, all fur ad
yanced in age, have here TO day, TO look once
more on Inc field Of the exercise Of their vaor and to
| receive hearty outpouring of our respect.
They have long ouved the troubles and dangers OF
| the Revolution they have outlived the evils aris-
inp from the want of united and efficient Government
thew ha We oulved the tendency of imminent dangers
10 the public liberty they have outliyed nearly all
their contemporaries but they have not outllged-
they cannot ou,live-he aectona,e gratitude of their
country Heaven has not allotted 10 this generation
an opportunity of rendering high services, and mani.
Testing strong personal devotion, such they rendered
md manifested and in such cause as reused the pa
tro,c fires Of their youthful Breasts and nerved the
strength Of their arms. But We may praise what we
cannot eana and celebrate actions which We were mol
born to perform Puiehrum est 6cnetacere retpuO'eG
et;o,n bentdicere hand.
The Bunker Hill Monument is finished. Here il
stands Fortunate in the natural emlnence on when
Il is placed-hisher infinitely higher in ITS Objects
and nutuoses it rises over the land, and over the
sea and visible, at their homes, to three hundred
thousand citizens of Massachusetts-it stands me-
mortal of the last and monitor to the present and
all succeeding generations. have spoken OF the
lori;ness Of its purpose. If il had been without any
other design than the creation OF work OF art, inc
granite OF which it is composed would have slept IN
I,s native bed. II has purpose; and thai purpose
o;ves il character. That purpose enrobes II with
| dignity and moral grandeur. That well known pnr-
noae IL which causes us 10 look up 10 IL WIN a
sa;nr Of awe. II is itself the orator of this occasion;
il is not from my lips, it is not from any human lips,
lba, the strain of eloquence is this day 10 flow most
compe,ent 10 and excite the vast mnttudes
around. The potent speaker stands motionless before
them. It is plain shaft It bears no Inscriptions,
fronting to the rising sun, from which the future an
,;onarian shall wipe the dust. Nor does the rising
sun cause tones of music to issue from its summit;
Bu, at the rising Of the sum- and at the setting OF
The sun, in the blaze OF MONDAY, and beneath The
mder efugenee of lunar light it looks, j. speaks,
mind. and The awakening of glowing enthusiasm in
every every American heart It's silent but awful utter
ance; its deep palhos, it brings to our contemPla'
lion the 18th of June, 1875, and The consequences
which have resulted TO US, to our country and 10 the
world from the events of that day, and which we
know must continue to rain influence on the dcsti'
Nos Of mankind 10 The end Of tme the elevation with
which raises high above the ordinary feelings Of
life surpass all the study Of the closet or even the
aspiration OF genius can produce. To-day it speaks
to Us Its future audores will be through success aS
o,,bsr round it, lis speech will be of patriotism and
Courage of civil and religious liberty; of free govern