St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-01-14
NUMBER IA.
Historical skettb.
GEN. WARREN'S GRAFTON.

| would nave invested their names with
a still brighter halo. Among these
too-early dead, we mention with heart
felt regret the brave Warren. Tho
world has given him honor for deeds,
eclipsing in their greatness the vaunt-
cd bravery of eastern heroes but il
was not upon the field only that
Warren cvinced undaunted courage.
Our readers are aware that the exc
cradle butchery, known as the Boston
Masscre y was perpetrated on the 9TH
of March, lTTO, So deep was the
feeling Of horror that pervadcd all
classes of the community, that for
some years after, an Grafton had been
delivered on each anniversary, COLI
demnatory of the act. In the year
l775, some of the most prominent Of
the British officers residing in Boston,
determined to oppose the delivery Of
future orations on this subject, and
were loud in their threats against any
one who should dare to convene o
meeting for that purpose. Warren
heard Of the contemplated prohibition,
and, although he had of1iciated the
year before, requested and urged u
permission to assume the RESPONSE
bility. This was gladly granted, and
public notice given of the meeting to
be held. Whatever of anxeiety or
fear were felt by the orator, the
whispered warnings or open remon-
strances were alike unheeded, while
with stern determination he prepar.
ed himself for the occasion.
The day arrived All Boston was
agog. The "Old South was cram
med to its utmost capacity. Conspic-
uous among the assembled multitude
were seen the uniforms of the English
officers. They were stationed on the
steps of the pulpit, nay, in the pulpit
itself. Had Warren entered by the
doors, he would doubtless have been
stopped by these insolent myrmidons
OF an oppressive rule. The crowd
fortunately blocked up the entrances,
and the orator Of the day was compel
led to enter at a window behind the
pulpit. When the audience saw tho
brave man entering in this manner,
they raised a loud and protracted
cheering that must have been any,
thing but welcome to their enemies.
Warren divested himself of his hat
and wrapper, and stood proudly forth
amid the group of interlopers who had
determined to eject him from the
sacred desk. They were, however,
intimidated by his boldness and Grad
ually fell back, leaving him the solo
occupant of the pulpit.
In tones Of thunder, and with the
eloquent fire of genius, he spoke of the
dark deeds of the past Amid a si-
lencc almost to be felt he proceeded
to pour forth the righteous wrath of %
patriot and man, and denounced the
perpetrators of the massacre as "mis-
creants, fiends villains !" while over
his noble countenance there was
spread the pallor of intense feeling, yet
there was no quivcr in his lip, no
trembling in his voice He had pro-
ceeded for an hour in his terrible de-
nunciation uninterrupted, when all
officer more daring than the rest, rose
from his seat and declared that
"The sentiments uttered by tho
speaker were reasonable, and subvcr-
sive OF the best interests of the coun.
try and its king
Warren turned his genius-lighted
eyes upon him, and continued
"The sentiments Iutter, are the SEN
timonts of all who have hearts to feel
and souls to dare. The expressions
we complain of-the deeds we dcpre-
cate, are not only unworthy of men
wearing the image of their divine
master, but might be shuddcred at by
iiends, even though they wear that
badge OF servitude, British uniform"
The officer sank back in his seat
amid the jeers of the audience. War
ren continued
"Thc threats of personal violence,
in which some gentlemen here present
have indulged, arc perhaps too insig-
nilicant to be referred to here. Nor
would do so, were it not that desire
to give them pnblic notice that l am
prepared at any and all times, and III
any and all ways, to meet them or
their agents for good or evil. Nor
shall | cease to denounce them or their
acts as base, cowardly and atrocious."
Then, with a prophetic tone, he con-
cludcd-
"Thc day is not far distant when
these deeds of blood shall be eXpiated
by the hearts blood of those who en-
acted them. When the mourning
genius of our country, now yelling tho
brightness of her face i'll deepening
woe, shall cast aside the mantle that
envelopes her, and stand forth in tho
light of day, the representative of Lib
erty in our Western land, then shall
the hordes that have oppressed her
shrink back to their native nothing
ness, and the efete representatives OF
an iron rule be scourSed from her
shores"
A few short months thereafter saw
him a volunteer, where he might haVe
been a General, in the ranks OF his
country. He threw aside his commits
sion. and stood side by side with tho
privates at the brcast-works OF Breeds
| it'll on the 18th of June, lIT5. The
Opposing forces could not and dill nat
drive them from their position. With
a bravery unparalleled in the history
of any country but our own, he fought
long and well, and there, within few
feet of the spot where the first shot
was fired, he fell, covered with immor'
tality.
4 statue of Warren now marks the
spot where his blood was spilled u