The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-04
The Corner Stone, the Completion, the Dedi-
cation and the Centennial
LAFAYETTE, WEBSTER AND EVERETT.
The Marshfield Statesman Jeal-
Gus of Mr.. Everett.
Interesting "Reminiscences or For
uaer Celebrations.

teEnia anniversary OF the battle or Bunker Hin
form the a-absorbng theme OF conversation In
and around Boston ana Charlestown. Through
Inc successful manip ulations OF band OF annexa-
nonlsts, some fe years ago, Charlestown became
part OF Boston but the traditional name stil
fingers. and IN referring to the stirring events OF
hundred years ago and the coming celebration
N honor or them, the locality OF the eventul
itrugge will be better understood II the matter
Of the union or the two cities entirely ignored.
fhe main features or the Bunker Hill battle have
probably not been forgotten BY the descendants
Of the warriors on either side, therefore 1t IL
scarcely necessary TO more than briefly refer 10
the event over which there Is to be sucn
hubbub tile coming nth OF June. hundred
Years ago from that day the Americans and
Britons had fierce engagement, in which 40 OF
The former and 1,o55 OF the latter were slain, and
The circumstance has ever since been regarded as
IN important and fortunate one In the history OF
American freedom and American independence
Beside the loss OF American soldiery, the city OF
Charlestown itself was burned-a fact watch, IN the
minds OF many. occasions q doubt as TO whether
Inc event OF the day was so much OF an American
victory after all. But on this point | VIII not
nwell at present. II the city OF Cnarlestown was
laid in ashes In 1775 the ruins were soon cleared
away. and with the end OF the war the atten-
lions or the patriots were promptly turned
70 the more congenia pursuits OF peace.
Nowhere in New England, not even In the United
Btetcs. can there be found more thrifty and en-
terprsing community tnaH that which dwells
npon the site OF the eventiul Revolutionary strugs
yles OF hundred years ago. Where there was
The crack or nint-lock musketry and the booming
Of cannon on the 18th OF June l775, there now
stands some OF the finest dwellings to re seen In
America. All traces OF the battle were long since
removed, and the only reminder OF the struggle -
Inc tall monument beneath which are 20 be held
The Centennial festivities lew weeks hence. In
Tlew OF the magnitude OF The Centennial celeora
tion. and the great interest which Is manifested
In IL In all parts OF the country ir has occurred to
-FOUR correspondent that
a FEW "REMINISCENCES OF FORMER CELEBRATIONS
would be peculiarly interesting at this time. AL
though national and immense in every feature
fney were nevertheless insignificant compared
with the magnitude OF the demonstration which
10 TO mark the one hundredth anniversary OF the
battle. George Washington Warren. President OF
the Monument Association and descendant oftne
warren VINO iell'D, Is one OF the acknowledged
Encyclopedias OF everything pertaining to Bunker
Hill, and It is his recoiections ana observations
Dfformer celebrations which form the body Of this
communication.
THE LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE
H the monument furnished the nrst occasion for
ntring commemoration OF the battle. That cir
substance took place on the nth OF June 1925 just
atty years from the day OF the eventlul struggle,
and at the time was the great celebration OF the
period. II is an interesting fact, not generally
known, that IL was only ten DAYS previous 10 the
laying or the corner stone that the form and style
Of the monument was dec. ded upon. II was
originally intended to have Ii q short ornamental
AFFAIR, but BY the suggestion and influence OF the
nlustrious Lafayette the more imposing. substan-
hal ana lofty granite obelisK or column decided
npon at the last moment The ceremonies or the
corner stone laying we're conducted oy the
Masons, ana besides General Lafayette all the
li2nitaries or the country were present including
lie Presidential Cabinet and many Of the Cover.
nors OF the different states. Daniel webster was
President or tue Monument Association at the
time. and he was selected as tue orator OF the
day.
A LITTLE sPAT BETWEEN WEBSTER AND EvERETT.
While the arrangements were pending an.event
occurred which came near upsettng everything
and causing . general disappointment through
out the country. twas In consequence OF q letter
Of Mr.. Webster, written TO old friend in Boston
from Washington on the 5th OF March, . date
which was afterward quite eventful to the writer.
This letter IL now In the possession OF Judge
warren. and from 1t am permitted to copy she
following paragraph
l presume that Mr.. Everett makes address
at Concord. For my part do not see the pro-
pIiety or a series or skrmishes on the occasion.
That would be fighting our battles over again
somewhat TOO literally IL Mr.. Everett be, In
truth, 10 make q speech at Concord, let him say
al the whole subject requires, aud we Will lay
our corner stone there Without the pcmp or
words.
IL Is not surprising says Judge warren, that
AIR. webster should, at the nrst thought. shrink
from following MIR. Everett on the 18th OF June,
1875, upon almost the same ground. II he should
pronounce commemorative discourse at Con-
cord on the 1918 OF April preceding. The Grafton
which Mr.. Everett had delivered In 1877. before
the Phi Beta Kappa Society In Cambridge In the
presence OF Lafayette and In which he extended
20 him glowing welcome, so thrilled and carried
away the audience that It's praise was in every
onc's mouth, and the popular Judgment was that
II was the Rrandest display OF eloquence ever wit
messed In this country.
WEBSTER AT PLYMOUTH ROCK.
The only popular address which Mr.. webster
had before given was delivered In Plymouth &C
the DETRIMENTAL anniversary or the landing OF
the Pilgrims, In December, 1920, In the former
meeting mousse OF the First church. IL is stated
mat the day before he was much distressed
snrougn fear OF not meeting the public expecta-
ton.
THE MARsHF1EID STATESMAN FINALLY MAKES Up
WITH EvERErT.
Just how II was brought about does not appear,
but MT. webster subsequently repented his wash
ington letter alluded to before, and the public had
the benent or on grafton both from him and Mr..
Everett-the latter az Concord and the former az
Bunker HIM. Whatever rivalry there might nave
been old no harm. and In view or this precedent
the expected orator OF the coming nth OF June
need take no alarm, although Concord and Lex.
ington mad their orauons tile last 1eth Of April.
GENERAL LAFAYETrE's VISIT TO BUNKER HILL.
Or. Jonn q. Warren, in his diary. states that on
the 18th OF June. 1924, ne met General Lafayette,
oy appointment, on the battle ground, and there
Invited him to attend at the same place on that
day year hence, 70 lay a corner stone or mon
ument to be erected In commemoratlon OF the
battle. DR.. Warren OF course extended THIS invi.
tation on his own responsibility, ana in full faith
that measures would be taken for having the Ger.
emony at the time proposed. lie was fortunate,
A0t enly In seeing his individual promise iulnned