The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-26
THE MECHANIC IS n PATRIOT
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

Ols LOlluS gave d Ceuttuuldl OIdIloH
at the Old North Church, Boston, on the
evening of the 18th, just one hundred
years after the famous ride OF Paul Re-
we're. The church was built in 1922,
largely by contributions from high
churchmen in England. King George ii
made valuable gifts to it, and had his
name and title inscribed ON them. 1t
was truly loyal church; but by 1775
"disloyalty" had crept in 80 generally
among its members that the last rector,
Mather Byles, resigned and left it va.
cant. Paul Revere at once turned it to
patriotic purposes. 1t had the largest
tower in America, and Paul provided for
lights to be hung out in that tower as
signals Of General Cages military move
ments. so that on the signal of certain
event he might start on his ride to rally
The patriots in the surrounding towns.
This Paul was a mechanic, and we
quote the following tribute'o of DR.. Loring
to the services which he and his noble
band of mechanics rendered the cause:
1t was great spirit which led to this
event. Paul Revere, at whose command
the sudden transformation of this church
took place, and whose will Robert New
man was but too proud to obey, was one
OF the noblest representatives of a watch
lul, patient and determined people,
whose name has passed into history. He
has left behind him no great declara-
tions; but he has LETT an example of un-
tiring vigilance and thorough compre-
henslon OF an emergency Which will
never be forgotten. Paul Revere and his
band of Boston mechanics are as much a
part of the Revolutionary history OF our
country as Faneuil Hall and the old
South Church.
TO Samuel Adams he furnished the
voting power of the club and the polls; !;
to Jonn Adams he supplied the body
guard for the great and stormy conven-
lions and assemblies at Faneuil Hall; to
James Otis he gave a popular response
to his grand appeals tor freedom; to
John Hancock he manifested that sturdy
and commanding judgment of the masses
| of mankind which won him over to the
| cause OF freedom, and led him away
from the temptations OF luxury and
wealth.to the toll and trial which gave
him his Immortality; to the endangered
| people he gave the signal, and then be.
| Cdiuc tuC w al hiho "SooOh5Si5 VIM
through the watches Of the night sounded
the alarm, and prepared them for the
immortal morning which dawned for oul
country on the blood-stained fields ol
Lexington and Concord.
| Filled with the spirit of his Huguenot
ancestry, he entered with an untirln2
zeal into the public service OF his coun
try in early life, and was among the fore
most to aid in establishing the power ol
the Anglo-S Saxon on this continent In the
old French and Indian war. He was 9
skillful mechanic, but he was never sat
ished until he had turned his skill int
the patriotic cause Of his times. HI
must have had unusual fidelity and a wi
which never forsook him; for on all i'm
portant crises he it was who carried th'
lidings, and appealed for sympathy ant
aid. He was swift and impetuou
enough for Warren and sagaciou
enough for Samuel Adams. He was
genuine representative OF frevolutionar.
Boston, and his deeds will always re
main as part of the annals OF his NATIVE
town, upon which the historian will low
to dwell, and from which the poet will
draw inspiration Tor his highest tribut
to what is heroic and devoted in his tel
low man. AS an example OF eternal Wig
lance he has no superior in our revolu
tlonary history.