New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-20
IN THE PAVILION AT CONCORD.


IN THE PAVILION AT CONCORD.
ADDRESS BY RALPH WALDO EMERSON, POKMs ~
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL, AND GRAFTON BIT GEoh"N
WILLIAM CURTIs-THE DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
ON THE PLATFORM.
tBY TELEGRAPH PROM STAFF CORRESPONDENT
CONCORD, Mass, April 19.-While the pro-
cession was yet the marchthere being necessity 'oi
haste in order that the President and party might not
disappont the people Of Lexington by late arrSa-e
exercises in the pavilion began Round the tent wherethe
speakers were the military were standing al eas gnu
as the day cold and the speaking long, aoo 'n'''
appettcs sharpened, and big tent full OF dinner was
close at hand 1t In not to be wondered ~ III th"'o 20"
more noise than there should have been Fortunately
was very oodnaured crowd. II 1t wac uproafious'
and probably the police remembered that Centenn.as
don't come often
The orators tent inside WA blt homespm affair ana
far behind the Lexington tent, which was quite esa'
with it's gay flags OF all nations, handsome potted pah
camelias geraniuns and ives, and Its palmetto nee anu
nine tree TO saw nothing of the statues OF Hancock an"
samuel Adams. But perhaps the distinguished men OH
the Concord platform moro than maze NY
for the poverty of the decorstons-or ther
entire absence rather. Judge Hoar look '"e
Chair Behind him were President Grant anu Nlcei'
ident Wilson, on whose left sat Ralph Waldo Enesoh'
Georce VIM Curtis jones Russell Lowell, Secretaries
Fish Belknap Jewell and Delano were on the fresr
DENTS right while them the left OF the Cnau SIT
Gov CASTOR and staff. On the desk beside Juoge ho',
was the sword carried by Isaac Davis at the b'' u
North Bridge Judge Hoar called the company 10 oraer
in the following words:
In this solemn hour when the nation enters upon us
second century On the spot which was lis birbparr.
let reverenty ask God to be with US as he "" WIN
fathers. .
Prayer was then offered by the Rev. Grindell Reynolds
OF Concord.
Mr. Emerson looks in good health, but much aged since
saw him last; though be can never to the isrt lose
The sweet shrewdncss Of his expression nor whoy i'o
the sympathec richness of his voice. His address was
brief and indeed wish he might have been spared us
delivery At ALL for his health is too precious To ne 10
be nicked In such nnfricndly cold. The address was
slight sketch Of the history Of the 18th OF April i''
with its prcdes and lis consequences, and coh''hc"
pleasant alukon TO the new statue OF the Minute
Man" the baptism Of which the counterpart OF the
unvsning OF the statues at lexington Mr. Emerson can
never he merely historical however. poetry will Hash
ont Of him like sparks The following is Mr. Eniersons
address: .,.,,>.
ADDRESS OF RALPH WALDO EMERSON.
Ebcnczer Hubbard. farmer who inherited The lannin
the village on which the British troops COMMITTED dt
daton, and who had deep interest in the history -,
his land and never ner@cied 10 hoist the sarsand stripes
the 10Th OF April anG the ih of July II Gtlev.a mn
1886 should be built on The gr our on Esn ,ns n
stood instead Of on hat %niss Is in hs viii sam Of
money to town of Concord on condition that lnon
ment should lie erected the identical ground occupied
by our Innuteinen and militia that day and another
sum Of money The conditions that the town should
build bridge the river where the old bridge
The town accepted the legacy built the bridge, and EN-,
ployel Daniel French to prepare statue a. DC eitricd
on The specified spot Meanwhile Congress at Washing
gave to the town several bronze eannons 10 ntsn
the artist with material IN complete his Work iir statue
is before II was approved OF by the Town. ana 10
Inc sculptor conveyed the proper cnblems Of he
patriot farmer who ~ The morning alarm left BIS po%
iO grasp his gun lie has bi no dome over hi. wolk,
believing that blue sy makes the best background The
statue II the first serious Work OF our Young W"hshdh'
We had many cnemics and many friends IN Eusand
but bcnefaetor was King George III The ii,Ee
Il might play its part in the history Of globe and fc
way Divine Providence was 10 give an nsans king 10
immovabe on the question of force. England wa, 80
dear TO that the colonies could only he absolutely
united by violence from England, and only one man could
compel the resort TO violence.
the ministers waycrcd Lord North wayored, but the King
had the insanity of one idea He was nninoVaDe nc l
lea was Instantly united and the nation born. ON the
18th of April, 500 soldiers, with hostile intent were
hitler from Boston. Nature itself put on new face
You see the rude helds OF this morning. but on the
same day of the year l115 rare fOrwarncSs OF the
spring recorded appears that the patriotism OF the
waved on the 18Th Of April We gladly around us to-
day representatives of Acton Bedford Lincoln, and Car
mindful Of their mother and risked their lives for her on
| the memorable day we celebrate. N
noble action We say iris only first step that costs"
He who win out the rule of eight must often take
facts Only three Of were killed at this bridge
and few others wounded, but here The British army
WAS first frOuted driven back and If only three men
or only one had been slain II the first victory
a Int Of Il s the I Horizon D The Brush Instantly
treated. We had no electric telegraph but the news OF
this triumph of the farmers over the Kings troops spec
Kentucky to the Caronas with speed unknown before
and rpeied the colonies TO inevitable decision.
| This sharp beginning OF real war followed sixty
DAYS later by the battle OF Bunker Hill, then by Gen
Washing arrival in Cambridge, and his Tedouhis on
Dorchester
the death Davis and Abnrr Hosmer 100 vessels
loaded with Gen Howe aud bis army 1000 ue n an
It Ia proud and tender story challenge any iovv
Massachusetts To read the siaeth chapter OF BdhSrot
history without tears OF JOY.
Mr. Lowell is the least American looking OF all our lit
cray men, think, though il be SO his looks belle him.
for suppose we have not scholar among us VINO u
more well rid Of Europe than he. His head avery
indiyid one and there Is certain SOFT ruggednesS
about his that makes II an interesting study His
poem created much enthusiasm and was most welcome
ornament to the day. 1t received with cordial
applause.
No need to describe Mr. Curtis to NewYork readers his
voice and face and bearing familiar as household
words. Mr.. Curtis had serious ordeal to go through
in filling the tapping windy tent with his voice ana
keepng an uncomfortable audience in the tent Interested
to the end long Grafton but he did not flag nor
fail and his energetic grace and manly earnesness ~oud
have been than match for even more arctic day
inhospable sky.
The President obliged to leave before the close Oh
Mr.. Curis's OratOn he promised ut Lexington
and would be late any rate. He went out very quietly
there cheering inside the tent, but very
little outside. lie driven over 20 the Fiehblrg
Depot. and number OF carriages accompanied HIM.
After dispersal of the immense audience and the
sorming Of the dinner table by the military who charged
along s whole line with splendid effect, there was much
sroing over meadows Ia the site Of the bronze
statue of the Minute Man." which makes such spirited