Arkansas intelligencer., 1843-07-15


human lips that that strain of eloquence is to flow,
most competent to utter the emotions Of this mul.
titude. Tho potent speaker stands motionless be-
fore you. (Here the speaker paused, and with
outstretched arms, looked upward to the summit of
tho solemn pile, and the vast assemblago Joined in
ono loud and long shout of enthusiastic applause.
1t is plain shaft; it bears inscription fronting
the rising sun, from which the future antiquarian
shall be employed to wipe away the dust; nor does
the rising sun awaken strains of music on its sum-
mt but there it stands, and at the rising of the
sun, and at the setting of the sun, and amid the
blaze Of noon-day, and in the mIder effulgence of
lunar light, there il stands. 1t looks--it speaks
1t acts to the full comprehension of every American
mind, and to the awakening of the highest enthu.
siasm in every true American heart. (Great ap-
pause.) Its silent but awful utterance-the deep
pathos with which as we look upon it, it brings
before us the l7th of June, l775, and the conse-
quences resulting from the events of that day. to U.S.
to our country. and to the world-consequecnce
which must continue "to gain influence" on the
destinies of mankind to the end of time-surpasses
all that the study of the closet or even tho inspi-
ration of genius could produce. To-day-to-day
it speaks to us. The future auditors will be the
successive generations of mon. As they shall rise
up before us and gather round its base, its speech
will be of courag &c and patrotsm--of religion and
liberty-of good government of the rcnown of
those who have sacrificed themselves 10 the good
of their country.
y
All our happiness and all our glorv depend on
our union. (Choers.) That monument itself, in
all that is commendable in its sentiment and cha
racter, depends upon union. (Cheers) | do not
to say that it would not keep its position if
the States rent asunder by faction or violence.
do not mean that the heaving earth would move
- ,pdt - I
its fall, if dismembermont should be the affection
Of our land, and cannot say that il would mingle
its own fragments with those of broken Constitu-
ton. But in tho happening of such events, who
is there that could dare to look up to itl (Great
sensations.) Who is there that from beneath such
a load of modification and shame as would over
whelm him could approach to behold it! Who is
there that would not expect his eyeballs to be
scared by the intensity of lis silent reproof! (Great
applause.) For my part say, that if it be a mis-
fortune, designed by Providence for me to live to
see such time will look at it no more-I will
avert my eyes from it forever! (Great opplause.)
1t is not as military encounter Of hostile
mics that the battle of Bunker Hill finds its princi-
pal claims for commemoraton and importance,
yot, as nero battle, there are circumstances at
tending it of extraordinary character and giving
to it peculiar distinction.
1t was fought upon this emnence, in the neigh
borhood Of yonder city in the presence Of more
spectators than there combatants in the fight
--mon, ard women, and children, drawn from their
homes, filling the towers Of the churches covering
tho roofs of public dwellings, and all their resi-
dcnces looking on for the result of contest of the
consequences of which they had the deepest
conviction. The sixteenth Of June, under O
bright sun, these fields exhibited nothing but ver
| durc and culture thore was indeed note of awful
prepa ration in Boston,-but here all was peace; and
the fields then rich with tho loads of the early
| harvest, told of nothing but tranquility. The
morning of the 18th saw everything changed; in
the night redoubts had been thrown up by fow
hardy men, uadcr the direction of Prescott. In
the dawn of the morng, being perceived by the
enemy, canonade was Immediately opened upon
them from the floating batteries the water, and
the land on the other side of Charles River.
suppose it would be difficult in military point OF
view to ascribe any just motive to either party for
that conflict. 1t probably was not very important
for the provincial army to hem in the British in
Boston, by force little nearer, when that could
probably have beon expected by force a little fur
| ther in the rear.
On the other hand, it is quite evident that if tho
British officers had nothing else in view but to dis
lodge tho occupants of Bunker Hill, tho British
commanded the waters, the Mystic on the ont
side, and the Charles River on their other; AMI
those two rivers approached each other, it was per
| fecty competent to cut off all communication. an
roducec Prescott to famine in eight and forty hours
But that was not the day for such sort Of calcu
ation on either side. The truth is, both parte
were ready, and anxious, and determined to tr.
the strength their arms. Tho pride of the Bri:s
would not submit that redoubt of the rebels, a
they were called, should be hera, and stand in the
. very raco and defy them to their teeth. Wnhou
calculating the coat. Or caring for 1t; their ooec
was to destroy the redoubt Il! once by the power o
the Royal Army, and take vengeance as well as al
tain security. Ga the other sido. Prescott ana NJ
gallant followers, fully persuaded that thetime was
| near when the existing controversy must break on
into open hostilies, long thirsted for the contest
They wished to try it, and try it now; and tina
is the secret which placed Prescott there with his
troops. (Cheers.l :
| will not attempt to describe what has been SO OF
ten scribed better than can do it. The can
nonading from tho water-the assaults from me
land-the coolness with which the Provincia.
army, if its might be so called, mot the charge o.
the enemy, the valor with which they repu'sed H.
tho second attack, the second repulse the burning
4 of Charlestown, and finally the closing scene o.
the retreat of the Militia of New England over tne
Neck. shall not attempt to describe: but IN It's
consequences, the Battle of Bunker HILL stands
| o,no,rSt The most important that ever took place