Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-07-06
A ID I'd Il E S S

Our duty Has4sasea performedz<our
work of patriotism AMI gratltnGe is ac-
complished. That stresil'11re, standing
on broad foundations, on that soil which
drank 50 deep of early revolutionary
blood, has reached its destined height,
and now, rising before us in its majestic
proportions, lifts its summit to the
clouds. We are assembled to celebrate
the completion of this undertaking, and
TO indulge, afresh liz the gratifying recoI-
lections of the events which it was de
signed to commemorate. Eighteen years
ago, more than haif the ordinary dura-
tIoI of the generations Of mankind, the
cornerstone of this monument was laid.
The hopes OF those who conceived the
design Of raising here structure worthy
Of the events it was intended 10 CONNIE
morate, were founded on the voluntary
contrlbutions-the private muni6cence
OF citizens, and the general public favor
Those hopes have not been disappointed.
individual donations have been made, in
scme cases, of large amouut-and smaller
ones by thousands; and all those who
entertain a just opinion of the value Of
the object, and Of the good to be OBJ
tanned by its successful accomplishment,
will cheerful!y pay the homage of their
respect to the gentlemen who. az pre-
siding officers of various committees and
corporations. have had the general man.
agement of the erection. The architect
is equally entitled to our thanks. and the
high distinction which the beauty and
grandeur OF the cbe!isk has conferred on
him will be his concurrent reward. Nor
on an occasion like this must we omit
the tribute of praise due to the builders.
without whose aid we should not have
seen one stone of this column laid upon
another. Nor must we FORGET that. when
the prospect of the further progress of
the work was the most dscouraging, the
Mechanics Association, by patriotic
and vigorous effort, raised the funds ne
cessary to carry on the work. The re-
naming effort needed to ccmplete the
construction of the ediGce came from
another source. Garlands of grace and
elegance were destined to crown the
work which had its origin in manly en-
ergy and patriotism. The mothers and
daughters OF the land have contributed
largely to supply that elegance and beau
ty, which should add their charm to
whatever of utility or public advantage
0ay characterize the work. OF those
with whom the plan of this ediHce orisi.
mated, many we are happy TO observe
are now present; but alas! many others
VINO lent their cordial cooperation to the
undertaking have themselves become the
subjects of monumental inscriptions.
William Tudor, the distinguished
scholar, the able writer, the amiable
man,-ailied by the truest worth, and
the highest and purest sentiments Of
patriotism, to the heroes OF the Revolu
ton who died on Bunker Hil.--now lies
buried IN foreign land. William Sui
livan-a name closely connected with
our associations Of Revolutionary service
and OF public merit-who concentrated
in himself. in great degree, the conf
dence of the whole community. and the
best renown which can reward citizen.
has been gathered to bis fathers. GEORGE
Blake. the accomplished lawyer, whose
learning and persuasive eloquence. whose
rare social qualities, and agreeable and
fascinating gifts of every kind, secured
to him large sway over the public
mind, has closed his human career. I
have thus far spoken Of those who have
ceased to be about us.