The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-11
The Anniversary OF the Battle OF Kings
Mountain.

Is it not remarkable fact that it is neces-
sary to inform the American reader that the
most decisive battle of the Revolution was
fought at Kings Mountain, in South Carolina
Learning that it was the design Of the patriotic
people of the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia,
and Virginia to celebrate the anniversary of
that battle, We despatched special reporter
carefully to note the proceedings and to re-
cord the speeches there made. In another part
Of this paper will be found the interesting pro-
ceedings Of the celebration, which was parti-
cipated in by fifteen thousand people, embrae-
ing remarks by the Hon. George Bancroft, the
Hon. John S. Preston and others.
The learned Professor Greasy, il an int
resting work, in which he gives the details of
the Fifteen decisive battles Of the world" has
ranked the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga
as the most important contest of the American
revolution. 1t is exceedingly difficult, in re-
gard to the struggle for our independence, TO
point to a battle which can be said to be abso-
lutely decisive of the result. There are those
and they are many-who regard that result
as the work of Providence there are others
who look upon it as the fruit Of the iealousies
existing against England by some of the lead
ing continental States; and others again who
deem the colonies to have had sufficient
power in any contingency within short Pc
riod to secure their political independence.
The surrender Of Lord CORVALLIS at York
town has also been pointed to by several
writer's of distinction as the most decisive
event of the revolution. But careful analysis
Of the seven years. war will show that the bat.
tie of Kings Mountain was, indeed, the most
decisive of all in respect to its effects upon the
American arms-its influence upon that large
class Of our people called tories-the chief of
whom was slain on the feld-and upon the
armies Of Great Britain, who, up to that day,
had met no signal defeat--no defeat affecting
their line Of operations--none impairing their
positive and offensive powers OF control in the
field. The battle of Saratoga had been fought
three years before-its commanding general
had been twice defeated--the prestige of his
arms was lost. The operations Of the roy
alists had been renewed on a scale still
grander than ever.
AhS bSeSAS vi mug -hOAugNu was lOuKuD
on the 7th day of October, 1880. It was the
first signal triumph in the South; and it lead
directly, as events follow cause, to the sur
render of Lord CORVALLIS in The following
year. 1t was the most decisive and the most
vital battle of the Revolution. That fifteen
thousand people have just now met to celebrate
the anniversary of the victory-to join in COM
memorating it as the glorious act of freemen-
to call up the sacred memories Of the Reyolu-
tion--to vindicate the brilliant deeds of the
South in that greatest of patriotic achieve
ments is sign full of hope and Of promise for
the Union.
The Pennsylvania and Ohio EIections-The
Reaction Against the Anti. sIavery Ali
ance.
The returns thus far received from the
elections in Ohio and Pennsylvania, indicate
that the Northern reaction against Master
Stewards Holy Anti-Slavery Alliance has set
in with the force Of spring tide, just nj the
time when they imagined the game to be in
their hands.
Of the Ohio election we have nothing con-
elusive, except that Chase, the abolition fn-
sion candidate, falls immensely behind the
original estimates Of his party. This Il due