The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-16

Inc most Important event OF the lhst cen-
tury-more importsnt than the Concord fight
and the Declaration of Independence itself
was the battle of Bunker Hill. 1t is true that
the 18th of June, IT'S, was the logical result
of the 10th of April previous, just as the
Declaration of Independence was the neces-
sary consequence OF state of war, but with
out Bunker Hill America could not have been
free, and the republics which have since been
framed would have been impossible. But
for Bunker Hill the Bourbons might rule in
France today, and the name Of Napoleon
would have been lost in the obscurity of the
Corsican Bonapartes But for Bunker Hill
the fame OF Washington might have been
eclipsed by the reputation of Ethan Allen and
the other pioneers of freedom whose exploits
contributed only moral force to the issue of
the Revolution. 1t was the battle hill at
Charlestown that gave the commander-in-
chief named only two day before an army and
welded the colonies into country Bunker
Hill was not great battle as we estimate
military operations to-day. A hundred events
from Auerstadt and Austerlitz to Gravelotte
and Sedan have displayed more magnificent
warfare, if not grander courage, but all of
them lacked the inspiring purpose of the
battle OF Bunker HILL and none of them has
borne such lasting fruits. On that fair morn
ing IN June, one hundred years ago tomorrow,
the power of Great Britain in America was
confronted by power greater than itself
the organization of freemen standing in battle
array to fight tor free institutions and
though the field was wrested from undisci-
was struck, the greatest in all history-a blow
from which came not the American Republic
aone-not alone the acquisition of new
world on this side Of the Atlantic, but the
making Of new worlds out OF the old empires
OF Europe and Asia and the laying OF founda-
tons SO broad and deep that the results OF that
one battle day are to be greater, perhaps, in the
century Of the future than they have been in
the century OF the past.
1t is only natural that the centennial ami
versary Of such an event should call out the
best energies of q free people in It's celebra-
ton Not only is it an occasion for gladstone
speeches and patriotic words, for martial
poetry and military music but the recital Of
glorious deeds and glorious names enshrined in
every heart and as vital still as when the ex-
plots Of Prescott and Putnam and the death
Of Warren first were told, makes the day
new birthday of freedom. Bunker Hill lives
over again in all its incidents, and the Boston
and Charlestown of to-day assume the shapes
OF the provincial town OF one hundred years
ago. We tread the spots with reverence
which our patriotic ancestors made sacred to
their sons and to oil mankind. The old
redoubt rises once more, and we see it
with our hearts if not with our
eyes. We can almost hear the crash
Of shot and shell and tho rattle of
musketry as they were heard on that trying
and decisive day. The actions Of that time
are the story OF this, and we cannot properly
commemorate the achievements OF our patriot
forefathers except by consecrahng the history
which they made. Tomorrow morning every
American citizen, whether he expects to take
part in the celebration at Bunker Hill or not,
VIII desire to have the scene Of the battle and
the manner OF its commemoration wildly
pictured to his Imagination. To this object
tie HERALD seeks to lend its aid, and the
reader, by the assistance of the graphic letters
which We print to-day, may almost take part in
the festivities, though hundreds Of miles away
In the elaborate and timely letter Of Mr.. W. W.
Whieldon we tell the story OF the battle more
fully and completely than a public
journal ever told it before. Then we have
the narrative Of visit to the field by the
venerable Richard rockingham, who, more
than any living man, is familiar with the his
toric ground where Prescott fought and
Warren fell. In addition to this we give
details Of the preparations for the observance
Of the day. The whole is a memorial volume
for the commemoratlon of this most important
day 10 history and tribute Of the journalism
of the present to the courage and patriotism
aud valor Of one hundred years ago.