Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-06-23
Mr.. Webster's Address
AT BUNKER HILL.


"A duty has been performed. A work of graft
itude and patriotism is completed. This siruc-
ture, having its foundations IN SOL, wh'ch
drank deem OF early revolutionary blood, has at
length reached its destined height, and now
lifts its summit TO the skies.
We have assembled to celebrate the accom-
plishment OF this undertaking, and to indulge,
atfesh, in the recollection Of the great event,
which IL Is designed 10 commemorate. Eight
cen years, more than half the ordinary dura-
ton Of generation Of mankind, have elapsed,
since ihe corner stone Of this monument was
laid. The hopes Of its projectors rested on vol
upary contributions, private munlllcence, and
the general favor of the public. These hopes
have not been disappointed. Donations have
been made BY individuals, in some cases oil large
.emount, and smaller sums contributed by thou
sands All who regard the object itsell as I'M
portant and its accomplishment, therefore, as
good attained, will entertain sincere respect
and gratitude for the unwearled Efforts oil the
successive Presidents, Boards Of Directors, and
Committees of the Association, which has had
the general control of the work. The Archl-
Iect, equally entitled to our thanks and com
mendation, will find other reward, also, for his
labor and skill, IN the beauty and elegance. oil
the obesk itself, and the distinction which, as
work of art, il coniers on him.
At q period when the prospects OF further
progress in the undertaking were gloomy and
sscouraging, the Mechanic Association, by a
most praiseworthy and vigorous effort, raised
new funds for carrying ii forward, and saw
them applied with fidelity, economy and skill.
1t is grateful duty to make public acknowl-
edgements Of such timely and efficient aid.
The last ell ,rl, and the last contribution,
were from different source. Garlands ol
grace and elegance were destined TO crown a
work, which had its commencement in manly
patriotism. The winning power OF the sex adj
dressed itself TO the public, and all that was
needed to carry the monument TO its proposed
height, and give TO it its finish, was promptly
supplied. The mothers and the daughters oil
the land contributed thus, most successfully &c
whatever of beauty is in the ohesk itself
or whatever of utility and public benefit anC
qualification in lis completion.
Ofvhose, with whom the plan of erecting on
this spot monument, worthy of the event tc
be commemorated, originated, many are now
present; bnt others, alas have themselves be.
csme subjects of monumental inscription. Will
liam Tudor, an accomplished scholar, dstin.
guished writer, most amable man, allied, botf
Nv birth and sentiment, to the patriots of the
Revolution, died, while on public service abroad
and now lies buried in a foreign land William
Sullivan, a name fragrant of Revolutionary
tuerit, and nf pnblic service and public virtue
who himself partook, in a high degree, of tn,
respect and confidence of the community, anC
vet was always most loved where best known
has also been gathered to his fathers And last
George Blake, lawyer OF learning and elo
quence, man of wit and of talent, Of socia
qualities the most agreeable and fascinating
and ofgills which enabled him To exercise larg,
sway over public assemblies, has closed his hu
man career. know that in the crowds befor,
me, there are those, from whose eyes copiou
will ha Of hesn
But such mention is due to their general char
acter, their public ard private virtues, and es
pecially 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 nov
numbered with the living. But a long life
now drawing towards its close, always disiin
guished by acts Of public spirit, humanity, ait
charity, forming character, which has alread,
become historical, and sancifcd by public re
gard, and by the affection Of friends, may con
fer, even on the living, the proper immunity O
the dead, and be the fit subject OF honorabl
mention, and warm commentator. or tn
early projectors OF the design Of this monument
one OF the most prominent, the most jealous
and the most efficient, is Thomas Fl. Perkins
II was beneath his ever hospilable roof tina
those whom have mentioned, and Others We
living and now present, having assembled 70
the purpose, adopted the first step towards c
recting a monument on Bunker Hill. Lon
may he remain. Long may he remain, wit
unimpaired faculties, in the wide field of hi
usefulness. His charities have distilled, Xix
the dews of heaven; he has fed the hungry
aHd clothed the naked; he has given sight I
the blind; and for such virtues there is a re
ward on high, of which all human memorials
all language Of brass and stone, are but humbl
types and attempted limitations.
Time and nature have had their course,
diminishing the number of those whom we me
here on the l7th of June, 1925. Most Of III
revolutionary characters then present hav
since deceased, and Lafayette sleeps in his ma
tive land. Yet the name and blood of Ware
are with us; the kindred of Putnam are ais
here; and near Inc, universally beloved Tor hi
character and his virtues, and now venerab
for his years, sits the son of the noble-hearte
and daring Prescott. Gideon Foster of Dar
vers, Enos Reynolds Of Bedford, Phneas Johr
son, Robert Andrews, Elijah Dresser, Josia
Cleaveland, jesse Smith, Philip Bagley, NeeC
ham MAYNARD, Roger Plasted, Joseph Ste
phens, Nehemiah Porter, and James Harve,
who bore arms for their country, either s
Concord and Lexington, on the 10Th of Apr
or on Bunker Hill, all now far advanced in ag'
have come here to-day to look once more %
the field of the exercise of their valor, and |
receive hearty outpouring of our respect.
They have long outlived the troubles an
dangers of the Revolution; they have outlive
the evils arising from the want OF united an
efficient Government; they have outlived ii
tendency of imminent dangers to the publ
liberty; they have outved nearly all the
contemporaries; but they have not oullived-
they cannot outlive--lhe aiieclionate graiilud
of their country. Heaven has ma allotted
this generation an opportunity Of renderin
high services, and maniiesting strong person
devotion, such as they rendered and NANTES
ed, and in such a cause as reused the patriot
fires of their youthful breasts, and nerved II