Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-07-11
RUTLAND HERALD
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1866,
" The Day We Celebrate,

character of that liberty is to be sought
in the events Of our colonial history, in
the manners aud laws Of our colonial
forelathers, and above all in the stern
bitter epitome of oar whole early his
tory contained in that memorable Dec.
laration, the maxim of whose sturdy
wisdom linger In our hearts, as we re'
call the sentiments OF that instrument
to day Declaration, peculiar among
all others OF its kind, not merely for the
fearless free spirit which beats and
burns beneath every decisive sentence,
but from its combination OF clearness
in the statement of particular greatness,
with audacity in the announcement Of
general principles, Declaration indeed
Astounding in sentiments of liberty so
sinewy and bold, and ideas of liberty so
exact and practical, that it bears on
every immortal feature the signs Of rep
resenting a people, 10 whom liberty had
been long familiar as living law, as an
organized institution, as household
fact. The peculiarities which distin-
guish the whole substance ard tone Of
that solemn Instrument, are peculiari-
ties Of the American revolution itself,
giving dignity to its events and import
to it's principles as they give success to
its arms.
The return Of our national anuiVer-
sary should recall the thoughts Of all to
that dark and stormy period and 10 the
heroic men to whom we owe our hber-
ties, But il is not only the great deeds
of the revolution which We should ever
remember; we should not lose sight OF
the immortal principles in defense of
which they were performed. It should
never be said Of their ChiisTru that they
had forsakeu the sacred cause Of liberty
aud became the Oppressors OF the weak.
Let us contrast the condition Of our
country during the revolutionary peri
DDS and its present state. Ninety-one
years ago We had not recognized eX-
istence-now We are among the most
powerful nations OF the earth. Then
the arts with Us were in their infancy
now we lead the world in the variety
and number of useful inventions. Then
we had no lterature-uow our writers
have earned worldwide fame Yet,
wonderful as this change is, it is not so
remarkable as that it should have been
foreseen by the men Of that day, sur
rounded by difficulty, and assailed not
only by the arms of the enemy, but by
the doubts OF the timid, never doubling
of success. Their faith was sublime.
The prophecy of Adams that the return
ing anniversaries OF the Fourth Of July,
1915, would be celebrated by the shouts
Of glad people, how literally has it
been fulfilled, From their faith and re,
cent events let us learn 3 lesson, and
never to despair OF the success OF any
good and just cause.
In the light of Il recent war, IN which
our national existence was imperled, il
may not be Improbable to take q brlei
summary Of The eight years Of the wal
of the Revolution. Its whole expense,
estimated in specie, was $l35, us, 1O3
This was paid in Continental money, al
great discount, the whole OF which
issue, previous to July, 1919, was three
millions. The number Of principal bat.
ties fought was about eighteen, o
which We give below list, with theil
dates, commanders -in.chic:, and losses
on both sides
Lexington, April, rs; American loss
81 British loss, 245
Bunker Hill, June, - American
commander, Warren; BRUSH command
er, Howe; American loss, 4j3; British
loss, 1854.
Flatbush, August, rs American com
mander, Putnam; British commander
Howe; American loss, 200; British loss
400
White Plains, October 49, American
commander, Washington; British com
mauder Howe; American loss, 300
British loss, 300.
Trenton, December, '76i American
commander, Washington; British com
mander, Rail- American loss, 9; British
loss, 900
Princeton, JANUARY, II; America
commander Washington; British CON
mander, Maw'd; American loss, loO
British loss, 400.
Bennington, August, -; America
commander, Stark British commander
Baum American loss, 100; British los
800.
Brandywine, September II; Amer
lean commander, Washington; Births
comm ander, Howe American loss,
200; British loss, 500.
Saratoga, October, II; America
commander, Gates British commando
Burgoyne; American loss, $50; Births
loss, 600; 1852 British prisoners.
Monmouth, June, rs; American con