The New York herald., 1869-04-20

1775-1Oth Day Of Arrli-1S61.
Yesterday april l9) the national ensign was
displayed on the City Hall, the principal hotels
and public edifces generally in honor of the
ninety fourth anniversary of the battle of Lex
ington, when the first blood was split that inau-
gurated the seven years struggle of the Revo-
luton. 1t is, therefore, nearly century since
the British commander (Major Pitcairn) rode up
to the front where some sixty or seventy
patriots were parading on the village COM
mon and cried out;-''Disperse, ye villains
Ye rebels, disperse! Lay down your arms!
Why don't you lay down your arms and dis
perse?" We are told that the little band Of
patriots kept their ranks firmly until Pitcairn
discharged pistol at them and ordered his
soldery to fire. Seven of the men of Lexing-
ton were killed and nins wounded by the vol
Icy. This murderous act aroused the whole
country, and the battle of Lexington, where
first the puissance of the British monarch was
questioned in the colonies, became the key
note of the Revolution and the pioneer Of the
ilustrious events which followed in the cause
Of freedom and independence.
OH tHo iVtu VI april lool, olSHty -StA yculS
afterward, scene occurred in the streets Of
Baltimore the effects of which were, in some
respects, not entirely dissimilar to those that
succeeded the firing upon the militiamen on
Lexington common. The country was, to its
remotest corners, violently agtated. The ques-
ton of disruption and revolution against the
government, the corner stone of which was
laid in the blood Of the Lexington mar
tyrs was openly advocated. The South had
already risen in arms. A national fortifca-
ton had boen fired upon and the national -
standard humbled and trailed in the dust.
The browning act of open rebellion was the
killing Of Captain Dixie, of Massachusetts
regiment, and the wounding of others, while
passing through the streets of Baltimore on the
way to the relief of tho national capital.
Loyal blood had been shed. There was now
no time for parleying Or compromises. The
challenge to arms must be met and how
gloriously tho Northern hosts rallied to the
support of the government i, too fresh in the
recollection Of our readers to require recalling.
Therefore the 10th day of April, 1861, is day
in our national history az worthy of oommemo-
ration as the 10Th of April, l775 The one
placed the capssoa, upon the pillar of Ameri-
can liberty, the foundations of which were
laid ON Lexington common. There are no
doubt many who would like to have the dead
past of the rebellion buried in eternal oblivion.
But there are certain irresistible truths carved
upon the altar Of liberty which cannot be
erased nor the memories ATTACHED: ~ them
entirely oblterated. The South has her con-
secrated grounds and the rem ,m5rance of lrer
devotedness and her heroic deeds cnshrned in
the hearts Of her sons and daughters. The
North has likewise her cherished souvenirs of
the war; and as Lexington was grand point
of departure on the highway to religious and
political freedom 80 will Baltimore be regarded
as beacon which illum,d the onward march
of the republic TO solid and substantial and
q happy future for all the American people.