The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-15
MAP OF THE BATTLE GROUND
Programme Of the Festivities
Next Monday.
Cannon Firing, Professions, 0ratiOIS, Statue
Raising and Distinguished Visitors.
President Grant and Cabinet To
Be There.


Already people are beginning to feel an interest
N the approaching celebration OF the battles OF
Lexington and Concord, and both places win be
busier, more busting and more self-conscious
even on April 49, 1876, tnan they have been any
time these hundred years or can expect to be any
time in the next. Eacn place is exceedingly busy
with It's preparations and the rivalries between
the two as amusing as their jealousies are 40
surd. Concord. however, Is Justtnabe in assert
Ing Q claim TO the possession OF the spot where
once the embattled farmers stood
And nred the shot heard round the world
for It mas as much right 10 the deed TO line
which celebrates II. This gives that old town the
nrst place in the hearts OF the American people at
this time and turns the eyes or the whole country
70 the quiet village nesting close 10 the ridge
around which II Is gathered. Il Ii In every way
IN exceptional town. Apart from its poetry and
It's philosophy, It's literary culture and its
grand American egotism It's historic asso-
stations and its great men and women,
Concord mas stood stlll for . century. Il
has not grown in size or In anything else except
the spendor OF Its lame since the nrst days OF the
American Revolution. Il has Its old wooden
houses which antedate the war for independence.
but It has none OF the splendid structures which
surround she metropolis and are springing up
ike mushrooms at the capital. The Buttncks
siiil live on tue spot from which their ancestor
LED his negnbors to battle at old North Bridge.
Mr. John ). Keyes still dwells In the house where
nis grandfather dwelt when English dominion in
America met It's doom az Concord nght, and the
walls OF the old mansion show the scar OF the
British bullet holes which were pierced into them
April 10, 1876.
TYPICAL WILLOW.
willow branch stuck into the earth by the
passerby on the day alter the battle grew into .
large tree and fell before the blasts Of many years
before the centennial OF It's planting could be cele
brated The trunk still remains, showing the size
the tree had attAlnoc. and out OF 1t have grown a
thousand branches, typical Of the thousand towns
which have sprung into existence since IL began to
decay. Mr.. Keyes can have very pretty celebration
around tina. old tree next year with Ralph Waldo
Emerson, whose grandfather lived in the manse
across the way and whose son is also a son-in.law
OF tue owner OF this historic spot as the poet
celebrsnt and tse But,ricss ali the rest OF bis
neighoors whose ancestors stood with bis In the
ight at the bridge Just below as participants.
rms conceive Is o very pretty notion, though 1t
all my own, and II I we're Mr.. Reyes and nad Q
grandfather 1 would not miss the opportunity.
now TO GET TO CONCORD.
II one can get TO concord and Is fortunate
enough TO md any accom- mooations after he gets
there no will discover a hundred beauties that he
dreamed not or Every step will be q surprise
md delight. The trouble. however, is TO get to
Concord at all have travelled many mliss and
never missed a train or TOOK wrong car in my
nie wnen | was in earnest about reaching my des-
tnation, bat the way 10 Concord was too much
Tor me. Like Professor Cawansder In the plaY
when ne was told TO "sel Bonanza could not
quite understand the ''pointsn my Boston friends
gave ms abous rsaoning that ous or tue way village.
Ine truth ia tnat Boston,, although It IL .
aty Of Ideas, nas no notion Whatever where
Concord Is situated. This can forgive; Tor while
We had 4 battle at White Psins once would not
tnow whether to tell o stranger in New YORK to
take the Harlem or tne New Haven road 10 ger
there. So I should have taken the Fitcnburg
road. but iook the Boston anu Lowell instead.
Ine policeman az the depot told me | was all
hight bur to be sure 70 soy Concord, Mass" to
me ticket agent aud 10 everybody addressed on
ne subject OF my destination. kept saying u
81 got tired, and then seeing "concordn on q
sar got In. Almost immediately the train
moved, and soon the conductor came for my
ncseL Looking At IL ana .; me, ne saia. pleas
anty enough under the circumstances, "Tnls
ticket 10 for Concord, Mass.'- this train Is for
concord, y. A.'--get out 80 the next station and
70 back" was astounded and said some thing
vats Ike the ssmask Of oIsfEymaa once Knew