The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-11
The Ethan Allen Centennial at T1con-
'r deroga. -E~

The Ethan Allen Cenben0AaA es
'r deroga. IL
The early events in the American Reyo-
luton, though slight affairs in comparison
with the great battles which were subse-
ouently fought in the war for indepen-
dence, were marked by such idomitable
courage and led to such important results
that their commemoration now is fit theme
for the most eloquent tongues and grace
full pens in the Republic. We have just
begun to live over again the period of that
great struggle and in concentrating the
deeds of the brave men who dared to die
and leave their children free, every incident,
however trivial, is worthy Of being recalled,
and every bold word uttered in behalf OF
liberty ought to be enshrined IN the nealts
of the present generation. The american
people are too apt to underestimate the
Gifts beoueathed to them by their fathers, |
or at least to depreciate the value and per
manency of the legacy they enjoy. Gloomy
forebodings, the result of our own querul-
business, too often take the place OF buoyant
hope and faith. Yet we are more united
now in all that pertains to the true interest
of the cOuntry-as determined in preserv
ing our liberties as our fathers were in
gaining them-than on the night when
Lieutenant Colonel Smith and Major Pit
cairn set out from the barracks in Boston
to destroy the stores at Concord. The
trouble is that we have grown so strong
that we have even tired of hearing our own
praises, and it is only upon occasions such
as will be presented this year and the next
that our latent patriotism is called into play
and finds fit expression on the memorable
fields of the past.
Concord and Lexington have done in
1875 what they did ITS aroused the spirit
of resistance to every form Of tyranny.
Then the enemy whom we had to fight was
the King, now it is ourselves, our luke
warmuess, our querulousness, our evil fore
bodings and our want of faith in our free
institutions Yet no one who was at Lex
ington or Concord on the 10th Of April can
doubt that the sons Of to-day are worthy
of the sires of one hundred years ago, and
all must acknowledge that while at least
we have lost none of their courage, none
of their love of liberty, none Of their deYo-
ton to free government, we have
greatly advanced IN mental culture as we'll
as in material progress. The names of
Theodore Parker and Ralph Waldo Emer-
son help to make those of their grandfath-
ers illustrious. Still, we can perform no
nobler duty than to cherish the fame OF
the simple men who did such brave deeds
in the beginning of our history. Among
these none stands in holder relief than
Ethan Allen. Brave, impetous, frank and
determined, few men of his time served
liberty better or more unselfshly. Tn
lokkz-ol 1,,k 81 he Nd oil
most as effective as his deeds. Among
the first at his distant mountain home to
hear the echoes of the battle Of LexiIg'
ton, he was tho first to emulate the
achievements of that glorious day
The capture of Fort Ticonderoga was
the response to the defeat of the Grena-
diers, and his success in turn, gave cour
age to the volunteers, who, month later
were to take up their position on Bunker
Hill. The 10th of May has become
about as much an anniversary in ou
history as the 10Th of Aprilo or the 18th o
June. Its hero-he is veritable hero o
romance-a hero not unlike Robin Hoo,
In some respects, but in others inspired b.
a noble ambition, supplemented by nobl
deeds-Ethan Allen was man fit not on
ly for great emergencies, but equal t
great occasions. 1t has been the custor
of historians TO sneer at his famous de
mand for the surrender of the fort, wher
being asked by Captain Delaplace b
whose authority he made it, he replied
I'm the name of the Great Jehovah an
the Continental congress" but in this tn
historians fall below the moral greatnes
of their subject, Under the cfrcumstar
ces the answer was grand one, Tor b
was facing death when he uttered it.
hot haovI oil Al
country, and it gave its author a duty 9
well as a name and fame second to none
his compeers,
1t is proper that such an event as tn
capture of Fort Ticonderoga should be fiji
commemorated, and it is especially prope
that Ethan Aliens memory should hay
the first place in the ceremonies and til
festivities, He was man whom it is a
honor to honor, and it is plain that tt
people of Ticonderoga so regard hin
Washington said of him that there wt
IAN original something in him which con
manded admiration" and that originate
stands out as boldly to-day as it did OF
hundred years ago, when he refused
yield his command to Arnold, and star
led Captain Delaplace with his oaths and h
famous demand for the surrender of tn
fort. And the people of Ticonderoga d.
serve particular recognition for not fo
getting this great man at this time. n
community can less afford to celebrate til
achievements of the last century, A
overwhelming calamity recently laid th
town in ashes, and in Concentrating til
Ethan Allen Centennial it is as if the
were keeping alive the camp fires of til
Revolution with the embers from the
own broken heartEs zones. There could /
I4N al Al L 4
said, that the spirit of liberty still ANNA
es the hearts of our people, and we glad
join in honoring people who can so honC
the past and its heroes.
@
NEW HAMPsHrRE