Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-07-06
MIR. WEBSrER'S GRAFTON,
AT BUNKER HILL,
ON THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF JUNE. 1913.

duty has been performed. A work of graft
tude and patriotism is completed. This structure,
having It's foundations in soil which drank deep
OF early revolutionary blood, has at length reach
ed its. destined height, and now lifts it's summit
to the skies.
We have assembled to celebrate the ACCOMPLISH
ment of this undertaking, and TO indulge airesh in
the recollection OF the great which it is de-
signed to commemorate. Eighteen years, more
than half the ordinary duration of generation of
mankind, have elapsed since the cornerstone of
this monument was laid. The hopes of its pro-
Jectors rested voluntary contributions, private
munihcencc, and the general favor OF the public
These hopes have not been disappointed. Dona-
tons have been made by individuals, in some
cases OF large amount, and smaller SUMS contr-
buted by thousands. All who regard the object
itself as Important and its accomplishment, there
fore, as good attained, will entertain sincere re-
spect and gratitude for the unweared efforts of
the successive Presidents, Boards of Directors,
and Committees Of the Association which have
had the general control Of the work. The archi-
tect, equally entitled 10 our thanks and commen-
daton. will find other reward also for his labor
aud skill In the beauty and elegance of the obelsk
Itself, and the distinction which, as work of art
it conters him.
Alta period when the prospects of further pro-
gress III The undertaking were gloomy and dis
couraoing, the Mechanic Associations, by n most
praiseworthy and vigorous effort, raised new funds
Tor carrying IL forward, and them applied with
fidelity, economy, and skill. 1t is grateful duty
to make public acknow dgmen,s o such timely
and efficient aid.
The last effort and the last contribution were
from different source. Garlands of grace and
elegance were destined to crown a work which
mad its commencement in manly PATRIOTISM The
winning power OF the sex addressed itself TO the
public, and all that was needed to carry the mon
ument to its proposed heioh and give to il its fin
lsh was promptly supplied. The mothers and the
daughters OF the land contributed thus, most sue
cessiully, to whatever of beauty is in the obelisk
itseii, or whatever OF utility and public benefit and
qualification in its completion.
or those with whom the plan of erecting on this
spot monument worthy of the event to be COM
memorated originated, many now present
but others, alas! have themselves become subjects
of monumental inscription. William Tudor. an
accomplished scholar, distinguished writer, a
most amiable man, allied both by birth and sen,is
ment TO the patriots of the Revolution, died while
on public service abroad, and now lies buried i'm
a foreign land. William Sullivan, a name fra
grant OF revolutionary merit and of public service
and public virtue. who himself pariook in high
degree of the respect and confidence of the COM
munIty, and yet was always most loved where
best known, has also been gathered to his fathers
And last, George Blake, lawyer of learning and
elo1uence, man Of wit and of 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 human
career. know that in the crowds before me
there are those from whose eyes copious tears will
How at the mention of these names. But such
mention is due to their general character, their
public and private virtues, and, especially on this
occasion, TO the spirit and zeal with which they
entered into the undertaking which is now COM
pleied.
have spoken only Of those who are not now
numbered with the living. But long life, now
Ir ~ tn,r dc ,lo n.,l,, 4
by ac,s of public spirit, humanity, ant charity,
forming character which has already become
historical, and sanctiied by public regard and by
The affection OF friends, may confer, even on the
living, the proper immunity of the Dead and be
The ut object OF honorable mention and warm com
mendation. Off early projectors 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 ever hospiIa5e
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
remain with unmpaired faculties in the wide field
OF his usefulness. His charities have distilled
Ike 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
oil brass and stone, are but humble types and at
tempted limitations.
Time and nature have had their course i'm d.
minshng the number of those whom we met
here on the 18th of June, 1926 Most of the re-
volutionary characters then present have deceased,
and Lafayette sleeps in his native land. Yet the
name and blood OF Warren are with us; kindred
OF Putnam are also here; and near me, universal
ly beloved for his character and his virtues, and
now venerable for his years, sits the son of the
nuble-hearted and daring Prescott. Gideon Fos-
ter, of Danvers Enos Reynolds, of Roxford
Phineas Johnson, Robert Andrews, Elijah Dress
er, Josiah Cleaveland Jesse Smith, Philip Bag
ley, Needham Maynard. Roger Plasted, Joseph
Stephens, Nehemiah Porter, and James Harvey
who bore arms TO: their country either at Concord
or Lexington, on the 10Th OF April, or on Bunker
Hill, all far advanced in age, have come here to-
day, to look once more the field of the exercise
oil their vaor and to receive hearty ouipouTiHg of
our respect.
They have long outlived the troubles and dan.
gers VI the Revolution; they have outlived the
evils arising from the want of united and eff
cient Government; they have ou-lived the pen
dency oil Imminent dangers to the public liberty;
they have outived nearly all their contemporaries
but they have not outlived--they cannot outlive
the ailectionate gratitude of their country.
Heaven has not allotted to this generation an op.
portunity Of rendering high services and manifest
ing strong personal devotion such as they render
ed and manifested, and in such Il cause as reused
the patriotic fires of their youthful breasts and
nerved the strength of their arms. But we may
praise what we cannot equal, and celebrate ac-
tons which we were not born to perform, PuL
ehru3' est 6enejacere repubico, ELAN 5enedicere
baud absurdun est.
The Bunker Hill Monument is finished. Here
1t stands. Fortunate in the natural etninence on
which 1t is placed higher, infinitely higher in
It's objects and purposes, il rises over the land,