Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-06-30
MIR. WEBSTER'S SPEECH.

ment, as reported from MS own Hotes loT tie
Boston Courier:
A duty has been performed. A work Of gratitude
and patriotism is completed This structure, having
its foundations in soil which drank deep of early rev.
dictionary blood has at length reached its destined
height and now lifts its summit to the Skies
We have assembled to celebrate the accomplish
ment Of this undertaking, and to indulge, afresh in
Ihe recollection OF the great event which it is design.
ed TO commemorate Eighteen years, more than half
she ordinary duration of generation of mankind,
have elapsed since the corner stone of this monument
was laid The hopes Of its projectors rested on vol
uniary contributions, private munhcence, and the
general favor of the public. These hopes have not
been disappointed. Donations have been made by in
divlduals, in some cases of large amount and smaller
sums contributed by thousands. All who regard the
object Itself as important and ITS Accomplishment,
therefore, as good attained, will entertain sincere
respect and gratitude for the unweared efforts of the
successive Presidents, Boards Of Directors and Com
mtees of the Association which has had the general
control of the work. The architect equally entitled
to our thanks and commentator, will find other re.
ward, also, for his labor and skill, in the beauty and
elegance Of the obesk ITSELF and the distinction which,
as work of art, it confers on him.
AT period when the prospects Of further progress
in the undertaking were gloomy and discouraglng,
the Mechanic Association, by a most praiseworthy
and vigorous effort, raised new funds for carrying it
forward, and saw them applied with fidelity, econo-
my, and skill. 1t is grateful duty TO make public
acknowledgements of such timely and efficient aid.
The last effort and the last contribution, were from
q different source. Garlands of grace and elegance
were destined to crown work which had its COM
mencement IN manly patriotism. The winning pow
er of the addressed itself TO the public, and all
that was needed to carry the monument to It's propo-
sed height, and give to it its finish, promptly
supplied. The mothers and the daughters of the land
contributed thus most successfully to whatever of
beauty in the obelisk ITSELF whatever Of utility
and public benefit and qualification in its completion
Ofthose with whom the plan of erecting on this
spot a monument, worthy Of the to be COM
memora,ed, originated, many are now present; but
others, alas ! have themselves become subjects of
monumental inscription William Tudor, an accom-
plished scholar, distinguished writer, most anna
ble man, allied, both BY birth and sentiment TO the
patriots of the revolution, died, while on public
vice abroad, and now lies buried in foreign land
William Sullivan, name fragrant of revolutionary
merit, and of public service and public virtue, who
himself pa, took in high degree, Of the respect and
confidence of the community and yet was always
most loved where best known, has also been gather
ed to his fathers. And last George Blake, lawyer
OF learning and e!oouence man OF wit and talent,
Of social qualities the most agreeable and fascinating
and of gifts which enabled him TO exercise large sway
over public assemblies, has closed his career. know
that in the crowds before me there are those from
whose eyes copous tears will flow, at the mention Of
these names. But such mention is due to their gen.
eral character, their public and private virtues and
especially on this occasion 10 the spirit and zeal with
which they entered into the undertaking which is
now completed.
have spoken only of those who are not now mum.
bered with the living: But long life, drawing
tOWdruS lis Close, always distinguished by acts OF
public spirit, humanity, and charity, forming char
acier which has already become HISTORICAL and
tilted by public regard, and by the affection Of friends,
may confer, even on the living, the proper immunity
Of the dead, and be the fit subject of honorable
ton and warm commentator OF the early proec-
tors of the design Of this monument, one Of the most
prominent, the most Jealous and the most efficient,
is Thomas II. Perkins. 1t was beneath his ever hos
pitable roof that those whom have mentioned, and
others yet living and now present. having assembled
for the purpose adopted the first step towards erect
ing monument on Bunker Hill, Long may he re-
main, with unimpalred faculties, in the wide field of
his usefulness. His charities have distilled like the
dews OF heaven he has fed the hungry, and clothed
the naked; he has given sight to the blind and for
such virtues there is reward on high of which all
human memorials, all language Of brass and stone,
but humble types and attempted limitations.
Tinc and nature have had their course, in diminish
ing the number of those whom met here the
i7th of June, 1925. Most of the revolutionary char.
acters then present have since deceased, and Lafay
cite sleeps in his native land Yet the name aud
blood of Warren are with U.S. the kindred of Putnam
nre here; and near me, universally beloved for his
years, sits the son of the noble-hearted and daring
Prescott. Gideon Foster. of Danvers, Enos Rey-
nolds, of Bedford Phineas Johnson Robert Andrews,
Elijah Dresser, Josiah Cleveland, Jesse Smith, Phil
ip Baoley, Needham Maynard Roger Plaisted Jo-
seph Stephens, Nehemiah Porter, and James Har-
vey who bore arms for their country, either at Con.
cord and Lexington on the 10Th of April, on Bun
ker Hill all now far advanced in age have come here
to-day to look once more the field of the exercise
OF their valor, and TO receive hearty outpOurng of
our respect.
They have long outlived the troubles and dangers
OF the revolution they have outlved the evils arising
from the want Of united and efficient government
they have outved the tendency of imminent dangers
10 the public liberty; they haye ouved nearly all
their contemporaries; but they have not outived-
they cannot outlive-,he affectionate gratitude Of
their country Heaven has not allotted to this gene
ration an opportunity of rendering high services, and
manifes.ing strong personal DEVOTION such as they
rendered and manifested, and in such case reused
the patriotic fires of their youthful breasts and nerv-
ed the strength OF Their arms but may praise
what we cannot equal, and celebrate actions which
we were not born to perform. Pulchrum est bene-
fdcererepublicP etidm bene deere baud.
The Bunker Hill Monument is finished Here it
stands. Fortunate on the natural emlnence on which
It's placed higher infinitely higher in its objects and
purposes 1t rises the land and over the sea- and
is visible al their homes, to three hundred thousand
citizens OF Massachasets,-it stands a memorial oil
the last, and monitor 10 the present, and all
ceedlng generations. have spoken of the holiness
Of its purpose. had been without any other de-
sign than the creation OF work OF arr the granite OF
which II IS composed would have slept in its native
bed. 1t has purposei and that purpose gives j,
character. That purpose sprobes with dignity and
moral grandeur That well known purpose it is
which causes us to look up to it with feeling of awe
II is itself the orator Of this occasion 1T is from
my lips, II is not from any human lips that that
strain of eloquence is this dayto flow, most compe-
tent to move and excite the vast multi,udes around
The potent speaker stands motionless before them
u PLAIN shaft. II bears no inscriptions, fronting
TO the rising sun, from which the future antiquarian
shall wipe the dust. Nor does the rising sun cause
tones OF music to issue from its summit. But at the
rising of the sun, and the setting of the sum- in the
blaze OF MONDAY, and beneath the milder efugence
of lunar light looks, it speaks, it acts TO the full
comprehension OF every American mind, and the
awakening of glowing enthusiasm in every American
heart. Its SILENT but awful u,terance; its deep pa
ihos, as it brings to our contemplation the l7th Of
June ITS, and the consequences which have resulted
to u.s. to our country, and 10 the world from the
events of that day, and which we know must contin.
ue TO RAIN influence the destnies Of mankind to tn,
end of timei the elevation with which il raises u,
high above the ordinary feelings Of life surpass all tina
the study of the closet, the inspiration Of gen
Jus can produce. To-day it speaks to us. Its future
au'iiores will be through successive generations o
men, as they rise up before it, and gather round it,
Hsspeech will be of patriotism and courage; of cvi
ana religious liberty; of free government; of IN,
moral improvement and elevation of mankind ant
o. the Immortal memory of those who with hero,
devotion have sacrificed their lives for their country
In the older world, numerous fabrics still exist
reared by human hands, bu, whose object has bee,
lostin the darkness of ages. They are now monu
ments Of nothing but the labor and skill which con
The mighty pyramid itself half buried in the sand