The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-19

called INTO being; that Divine Providence iais
upon them the solemn and unavoidable RESPONSE
iItg ~ clearing NE way Tor res
aua udependsnt government among the
cuete lnUnarchIes. The age-worn and totterinR
despotsins 81 the world; that the most advanced
and comprehensive minds in Europe, England
ana America, loresaw this years before the wal
broke out aad made predictions accordingly, and
tie irreoresslble and unavoidable conflict which
followed was only the natural fruit OF generations
ana centuries Of previous preparation. 10 which
God In his wisdom had brought the SCI tiers Ia
America and their descendants, rs soon as time
had made II ripe The spirit oil liberty was an
unseen influence 1lling the hearts, absorbing tne
minds and ins iring tHe souls OF the fathers De-
cause they had not attained unto II. IL was IKEA
mine or lnexnaustiole treasures all unworked, OF
vast region OF ooundless resources, all unsur
yeyed, and the eagerness with which
they pressed forward toward its posses.
sion and the de terminauon they evnced
secure ana retain H. We can only understand
when we recall the aiacrty with which they re-
apondcd to tie call OF duty and pledged TO It's dis
charge their yes their fortunes anu their sacred
honor. Nhen the alarm bells rang oat from the
churcl steepes Of MddleseX county their pene-
rating protests agansg British outrage N the
arrest D unOnendng citizens, and the destruction
proper ty not their own and British crime in the
wanton assassination u uacol demnea subjects on
Lexington common and Concord helds. not an ear
but tlHgled with Indignation ut their tones, not
soul bat hled with patriotic lervor In response,
and as minute men hurried loot and rode on
horseback from arm, the shops, the homes
and Stopping places ~ nearly forty different
towns 70 ind our wnat III THIS meant and
70 report 10 preparation Tor any emer
gency tnai mgh aiise there was something
IN the en- husastic outburst d popular ieenuS
watch betokenei an event 81 mofe IMAM ordinary
Importance. Tae people were called unto linertyl
Liberty, IN the third place, meant 10 our ANCESTOR
inc right 70 think, 10 act, 10 leglsate, 70 Jud2s
ana decide Tor themselves. For that reason the
Purltans lett tue mother country IN 1910, braved
the winter toIms OF the Atlantlc IN vessel email
and lra,l, endured succession OF hardships Of
the most trying description, hungered, shIvered,
stcKened died; braved famine, pestllence ana the
revenge Of hostile Indians, ana finally enjoyed
what had cost 50 much ana was worth so much,
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY AND CIVIL LIBERTY.
1t was a boon tOo precious to be sold Tor any
price. and when It was assaulted ana jeopardized
by the various acts Of British aggression occurring
previ US To 1875 the time mad almost come tor ita
armed defence. That time was preclpiratedi
and the crisis brought about &C Lexlna.
ton and Concord, in the fourth place,
by the needless slaughter or Americans on
the 10th OF AprIl, l775 wno had assembled simply
save their friends from unjust arrest; the hot.
headed impetuosity Of o British Uficer, somewhat
under the influence OF liquor, doubtless ana
backed by the conviction OF his men that .he pro-
vncials aid not wish 10 fight and would not dare
TO light even for their rights led TO the opening
fire. ana with the 1rsg musket flash the war danes
were klndled The real character OF the British
government was then unveiled. IL became
clearly apparent that the coonists were to De con-
he
casl, the war must 90 on. All the events OF April
10 the insolent and murderous assault at Laxing-
ton, the battle at Concord Bridge, the retreat 10
Boston, with the irregular and deadly IRE from
woods fences, hill tops and hoilows upon tne
painting regulars made more emphatic and oe.
cided this conviction, that the war had com
menced 1t must be fought out TO the bitter end.
Lexington ana Concord, therefore, began what
Bunker Hill, Monmouth, Princeton, Brandy wine
Eutaw, Saratoga ana Bennington continued.
ana Yorktown ended. To Massachusetts, and the
towns OF Middlesex county belongs the honor Of Q
hearty response Libertyis 1rst call TO The thir
teen original states, with their scattered ana
various populations, the credit OF bringing 10
triumphant conclusion the struggle which that
call precipitated. Let not forget 70 accore
honor where honor Is due, ana forever malntaA
what we have so freely received.
The discourse was followed By the hymn con
mencng:-
Who when darkness gathered DER rs,
Foes ana death on every size,
Clothed IN glory, walked before US
Leading on like israel's guide
Twas Jehovah He, appearing
Showed BIS banner far and WIDE.
'.Paul Revere's Ride" by Henry W. LonGfsliow.
was then read, In an excellent manner. By Mr..
Hosea II. Lincoln, master OF the Lyman Grammar
School.
Another patriotic piece was performed By INA
band, and AFTER the entire congregation had
Joined in singing the 'old Hundred,n
From ali that dwell below the skies,
accompanied by the band and full organ win
thrilling effect, benediction closed me ssrvleee
and tho audience dlsparsed.