The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1860-08-09
From the Boston Journal, July 20.
GIr. Douglas at Bunker Hill.


Dana, Charles Thompson, and R. S. Spaf I
ford. Having briefly surveyed ihe grounds. /
the statue of Warren, and the Monument, |
and after an introductory and welcoming /
address. Judge Douglas addressed crowd |
of 5000 or 4.OO0 persons from the west; |
ern steps. leading from High street to the |
Monument grounds. as follows:
1Nr. -Nayor and Fellos0 Citizens II hsve |
just returned from Il pilgrimage to Lexing |
ton, preparatory to visiting this sacred |
spot, which of all the battleields and all |
Tie places consecrated to patriotism by the
blood Of our Revolutionary fathers. is dear
est 10 the American heart. applause.
There Is not an American citizen upon the
bread continent. DO matter whether at the
South or North, or the plains of The North
West or tie shores OF. The Pacific, who does
DO, claim for himself apd his poslerty
share in the glories that Monument was
intended to commemorate. You may I'M.
agine the monument is peculiar 10 Charles
town; and that you have deeper interest
! in it than an American citizen abroad but
be assured that no one of You can claim a
greater pride In the work itself, or the glo-
ious deeds which it commentaries. than
your fellow citizens Of my own Illinois.
Mr.. Mayor, this has been to me day
long to be cherished and remembered, for
to-day | have seen the spot where the first
American blood was shed that gave rise 10
the American Revolution, and now / wit
ness the scene OF that Struggle. which. be
yond all others, gave impeiuosity 10 the
revolution which resulted in our iudepend
ence and liberty. Let the sons Of those
honored siIes prove true 10 the principles
Of their fathers. by which alone tie Repub-
he can be maintained in its purity forever.
The revo ution originated IN the assertion
by the people Of the Colonies of the right
Of self government by each Colony, in ev
cry thing relating to It's internal policy
They were willing to recognize the author
iiy of Parliament and the Crown in ali
things Imperial and not Colonial, aud when
they attended TO the general welfare. and
did not interlere with the local and domes
tic affairs of the Colonies. But our faith
ers said you must not interfere with our
fresides and our hearihs;ones. We must
have the right to make our own laws and
regulate our internal affairs without inter-
ference from the British Parliament. The
Revolution was fought in defence Of that
great principle of local self government
May we be faithful to that prlnciple, and
+ never let it be violated in State. Territory,
Province or Colony. If we only remain
faithful to this fundamental principle. and
do not interfere with our nelghbors, there
I. E.. l. I. " 4.
and the South. the East and the West
There are Institutions in Massachusetts re-
cu'iar to herself. They differ from those
Of Illinois. the Southern States, and the
Pacific coast.
You have received me here with open
: arms. You have warmly welcomed me.
| aud shown ne everything curious or sacred
> N The history of our country; aud l tsnst
] when l come among you, shall pay a
proper respect to authority, and render
obedience to The laws. But il you find me
} complaining because | do not like your
Z laws and domestic affairs, you viii say
J while you cannot but regret my displeas-
are, our laws we're made for us. and not
for YOU, and if don't like them can 90
> back to Illinois; and, Mr. Mayor, permi!
1
{ me to say to you in return for your kindly
sentiments and this welcome to Bunker
Hill, and ii you will do me the honor OF
making us visit, viii take pleasure and
j pride 10 welcoming you to Illinois, but on
f the express consideration that YOU will
e obey our laws, respect our institutions.
: and not interfere with our domestic con.
f Germs. If you should complain of our Is VS.
: while we sheuld regret the fact, vet we
e should say that they are our laws and not
\ yours. We made them for ourselves and
' not for you. They are adapted to our con-
. dition and wants, and il you do not like
a them you must go back to Massachusetts.
I where you may find better ones. So in
: the Southern States. If we go to Charles
e ton or New Orleaas. it don't become us TO
tell the authorities they have bad laws and
5 Institutions. If they are good laws they
0 will reap benefit from them; il evil let
: them bear the burden till it makes them
/ wise enough to throw them off BY making
better laws; and especially when you 90 to
! Kansas or Nebraska, where is assem- bled
e SO much of the energy, enterprise and in
teligence of the country, do not interfere
: viii tuSlt iosdi lS5 diattonS. 4 may inter
one truth 'without ofence--being a New
England man. New England is an emigra-
e ting country. When New England far
0 mer has two sons and one is little wild
7 aud reckless, but Intelligent. that one thinks
: his native valley too small for him. He
l starts for the West, goes into the wilder
: ness or upon the prairies to carve out his
i fortune and make a man OF himself by his
e energies. The other son, more obedient,
e less ambitious, less energetic. and little
e more lazy, stays at home to be supported
e by his father. Instead of going West and
e supporting himself. Thus we draw the
5 bold, energetic aud industrious to the West
I and leave behind the well behaved gentle
e man to live with the old people. Hence
e our frontier men are men of the largest ca
pacily in, the known world. They come
from Massachusetts, Vermont, Virginia,
9 Germany. iceland, and from all larts OF
h the world, and carve out their own homes.
y ierect their own houses and churches. Law
4 a