The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-07-21

$ the tale that thousands ceased t.
r breathe. Over miles of country a
every field fence, every gorge of ,
, valley and entry to a wood lay. thu
, dying bodies of fathers and brothers
, and bright boys in whom a thousant
; hopes were centered, not of theil
f friends and families alone, but o
, their, country. Eight long years o
, such strife placed America In the chail
of Independence. This was the price
paid for our liberty. We do not en-
i joy single privilege today that has
J not cost our ancestors .extravagan
i prices in human blood and treasure
The vain assumption of rights and
power of one man and his servile
minions to control a whole nation
was by this declaration exploded
Prior to 1776 there was but one prin.
ciple recognized in all governments
and that was force. p
4 For years the peopls had many un.
I successful outbreaks against the tyran-
nies of the old worlds menarchies,
but with the broad Atlantic Ocean in
tervening' to aid the energy of the
1 people, it was assigned to the Fathers
4 of the American Revolution to per-
form the task, and they right nobly
did the work. The fragrant air OF our
liberty was borne by the next breeze
beyond the equator and the Andes,
and has given rise to many South
I American Republics. We boast of
our Republic, and we boast of our
progress. 1t is all attributable to the
Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution adopted by our fathers.
1t removed the restraint and brakes
put upon the necks of the people, and
our Republic has journeyed on, like a
healthy giant, with a pace more like
romance than reality. iiio cit 5aa ~.
p1oNearly four hundred years ago the
Continent was discovered, for three
hundred years it was governed bv
one man,, and in 1776, we are found
with only 100000 of people, while
less than one hundred years under the
teachings of Washington and Jeffer-
son finds US an ocean-bound. Repub-
lie, and 100000 of people, more than
thirteen times our number in l776.i
With the tide of emigration has come
the lively spirit of progress and enter
prise. Before its tornado march the
forests have fallen and are cleared, the
marshes and ponds have been drained,
the broad fields are green with grow
ing grain upon its knolls and hills
are gathered villages and cities in the
valleys are the. thousand strokes
and clicks of useful machinery; the
earth's center has been probed in
search of valuable minerals N d
liquids; the rivers, lakes and oceans
are fathomed /; the whole land from the
pearly strand of the Atlantic to the
golden lip Of the Pacific has. a COM
plete network of railroads and tele-
graphs, the great modern improve
Ment OI tAe age. |
The doors of education have also
been thrown widely open to all.-
Most of as are of that class who owe
whatever of knowledge has shonei
into our minds, to the free and popu-
lar institutions of our native land. -
There are few of us who may not be
permitted to boast that we. haye been
raised in an honest poverty. OF at least
a frugal competence, and owe every
thing to those means of, education
which are alike open to all-our free
school system of education. 1t is the
choicest flower of the wreath, the fa-
yorite feature in the Government, and
the proudest boast of our Republic.
How pleasant it is to visit the fields
where these patriots struggled. To B
observe with what care every trophy
is preserved. Every sacred spot ded-
icated to liberty is securely enclosed
with iron ratings, with marble mon =
nments and granite obelisks to keep,
it fresh in our memories I had the +
pleasure of seeing and visiting the :
Did towering Bunker Hill monument. :,
It is located about one mile and half
from the Boston depot just across the I.
St. Charles river in Charlestown city. 4;
1t is situated on Breeds Hill, about :
ifteon rods from Bunker Hill as byr 7
mistake Breeds Hill was fortified in :.
'tead Bunker Hill and the battle :,
Ought there. The monument is !.
ouilt of Gray Granite and is thirty =
Get square at the bottom and fifteen =
eet square at the top. You first en- \
er the state room, pay fee of twen- G
y cents and. then as you step through 4
he heavy IRON doors at the base you y
zee at the center q fine marble monu- 7
Hent7 erected by King Solomon's
lodge, to the memory of Gen. War; \
en- and is said to stand ON the spot, ,e
where he fell. 1t bears this inspiring, n
atriotic sentiment, "None but they ~
Eho set a just value upon the blessings :,
+ liberty is worthy to enjoy her, In .,
ain we toiled, in vain we fought, we ~ -,
led in vain if you our offspring want g.
y valor to repel the assaults of the A.
lvaders." Ascending two hundred II
nd ninety-fve steps to the summit, fl
ou have . fine view of Boston, the HI
reat city of nations, the battlefield, !.
le place where the British landed, - =.
nd where their seven ships of war a. a.
'ere situated Two of the four can -,
ON used in the battle are spiked in ~
le wall, These are called the Ham n,
,ck aud. Hdams guns. The other q,
Yo We're taken by the enemy, They n
re very small, not more than four and ~
half feet in length and only four n
lCh hOre' Theee fnnr or,no oonet;