Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-06-30

vest held out 10 man. On the morning of the l7ih,
every thing was changed. On yopder height had
risen In tho night redoubt thrown up by few
hardy men under Prescott. AT dawn it was per-
ceived by the enemy in Boston, aud was immedi-
ately cannonaded by the floating batteries in the
harbor, and those on land on the other side of
Charles River.
i suppose IL is difficult in military point Of
view to nscribe any just motive for that conflict
To the Provincial army it was not very important
TO hem in the British by line but little nearer |
to the city and on the other hand II the British |
in Boston had had no other object than to dslodge |
them from the redoubt, without the shedding Of |
blood, they had the means entirely in their own
hands. They commanded the water, both the
Mystic and the Charles and where these streams
approach each other at the isthnus towards the
North, they might have cut off all communication,
and reduced Prescott and his party by famine in
eight and forty hours. But that was not the day
for such a calculation on either side. The truth
is that both parties ready and anxious TO try
the strength of their arms. The British officers
were not willing that The rebels, they were
plensed 10 call them, should hold Tor day re-
| doubt built here as if in defiance, in their very
teeth, and it was determined TO destroy ut once,
| and obtain for the royal army Vengeance as well
| as security. On the other side, Prescott aud his
gallant followers were fully persuaded that the
time was near for breaking out into open hostility.
! They wished to try it. aud TO Try it now. That
I was the secret (Chcers
will not attempt to describe what hus been so
often described, The cannonndng from the water
| the assault from the land-the GOODNESS with
which the provincial army Gfit may be SO coled)
| met the charge Of the regulars-the vigor with
which the latter was rcpused second attack,
he second repuse the burning of Charlesiown,
| and finally the closing scene of the slow retreat
Of the militia OF New England over the neck
But the consequences this battle in its consequent
| ces stands among the most important that ever
! took place between rival armies II was the first
thar NH in
j my judgment il was not only the first blow struck,
bu, The blow which determined the issue OF that
conflict; il did not put mn end 10 the war, but It
put the two countries in state ofopen hos,iIities.
1t put their differences TO the arbitration of the
sword and it made one thing certain,-that after
Warren fel-afer the troops Of New England
had been able 10 face and repuse an etack OF
} British reguars-it was certain that pence could
never be established between The two countries
} but OH the basis OF the acknowledgment of Amer
lean independence. (Cheers) When that sun
went down the independence Of these States was
J certain. (Renewed Cheers.) No event of militia
ny importance took place ill the independence OF
the Colonies was declared in July, l776. Indeed,
il rests believe on the most indispu;nbe author
, ity, that when General Washington heard OF The
battle of Bunker Hill, and was told that although,
! for the want of ammunition some like cause
: our couItrymen were compelled TO retire and yei-
= ded the ground to England, yet that body oil Inc
militia of New England had stood the fire of the
British regular forces and not only that, but mao
reserved their own fire until the enemy was WIN
: In eight rods of the redoubi, -" Them" said me-
"lhe liberties of the country are SAFE" Cheers J
The consequences then Of the battle OF Bun
ker Hill are just of the importance OF the Amerl-
i can Revolution ITSELF If there is nothing of val
ne, nothing worthy of the regard Of mankind in
IS the American Revolution itself, then there is Moth
, ing of value worthy of regard in the battle of
d Bunker Hill or its consequences Blu. if the rev.
olution be an era in the history of man favorable
i TO happness-if it has marked the progress ofthe
Q human race from despotism to liberty, and shed
vast influence for good over the country ana
II throughout the world, then this monument has
not been raised without cause, then the battle OF
Bunker Hill is not nn unimpOrtant event. but Is
e worthy to be celebrated by every ceremony, and
e perpetuaed by every durable memorial. (Cheers.
II What then is the principle of the American
r Revolution, and of those systems OF politics and
; government which il has established and conhr-
;, med throughout this country? Now the truth is
= that the American Revolution was not the install
10 taneouS adoption ola theory of government which
II had never before entered the minds of men, or
u embracing IDEAS which were before wholly I'M
n known. On the contrary, it was but the clear
j. Development and application of sentiments and
= opinions which had their origin far back in Amer
c lean and English history.
J. The discovery of America and its colonization
q The history of the colonies from The time oil
= their establishment to the time when the principal
J. part OF them threw off their allegiance 10 the
y States that planted them, constitute train o
g events among the most important recorded. These
rs events occupy space of 300 years, during which
J. period knowledge made steady and rapid progress
~ in the old world, so that Europe herself at the
re time OF The settlement, even of the New England
10 States and Virginia, had been greatly changed
~ from that OF Europe which had commenced TIT
es colonization of the continent 100 years BEFORE
r And what is most material TO my present purpos
IN s, that in the first Ofthese centuries that IS to SAL
- from the discovery of America to the settlemen
of Virginia, political and religious events tool
SO place which materially affected public sentimen
no in Europe, especially in England Now we know
ot that after some feeble attempts by Henry VII. N
he effective effort was made for the purpose OF es
- tabshing The authority OF the Crown of Englan
NJ ITSELF over her discoveries here for almost cen
IL fury. Without inquring into the cause Of lhi
ne long delay the consequences are sufficiently s'r
to king. England, in this lapse Of century, ul
~ known 10 herself was becoming fit aud compe
us tent to colonize North America and men wer
up training within her shores competent 10 nroduc
AN the English name and Anglo Saxon race into
ne great portion of this western world. The con
les mercial spirit and commerce were much encou
all aged Several laws were passed in the time
IT. Henry VII. for the protection of manufacture
hat and TO induce the introduction of The arts Go
! 1t Eastern countries: some Of them not unmnpor
The ant modifying the feudal system, us in the ca
md Of the provision for breaking entails
m These aud other measures at that period prod
do ced new class of soc iety, and caused it TO
nth merge from the bosom of the feuda SYSTEM al
in show itself in action. This was the commerce
ook or middle class; composed neither of barons
nat, great land -hoders on The one hand, nor of Il
md mere retaners of the barons or laborers of Il
ach holders of land on the other class of lndustr
eye commerce, education. This cluss produced
lent change in the face of Europe although gradu
art, one the seeds were then planted, which fro
for that time forward were growing, and though
no slow progress, were sure in the end 10 produ
bud their effect. There were other operative caus
in existence, which hastened these changes Fro
title the time OF Henry VII. TO the civil wars, there
lis more peace in England and greater security
por- properly, than during the wars of York and La
tan easier Causes of another description came il