Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-04-27

iirSt also iol truer union and a larger
liberty; here in the heart oil Middlesex
County, at Lexington and Concord and
Bunker Hill, stand iSst.s Son OF Liberty
as the minute man stood at the old North
Bridge. But should /, we or our de-
scendents, false TO liberty, false to justice
and humanity -tetray in any way their
cause-spring into lite as a hundred
years ago, take one more step, descend,
and lead us, as God led you, in saving
America. to save the hopes OF man.
Remember, fellow citizens, that the impulse OF
republican government, given a century ago at
the Old North Bridge has shaken every govern
mentiu the world but has been itself wholly un
shaken by them. II has made monarchy impossI'
Die in France. II has freed the Russian serfs II
has united GERMANY against ecclesiastical despot-
ism. II has flashed into the night Of Spain. II
has emancipaled Italy, and discrowned the pope
a. King. la England. repeating the disabilities OF
Catholic and Hebrew, Is forecasts the separation
of church and state and step by step transforms
monarchy into another form OF republic. And here
at home how glorious It's story. In tremendous
war between men OF the same blood-men who
recognize and respec, each others valor-we have
proved what was Away doubted, the prodigious
power, endurance aud resources OF a republics
and IN cmancipating an eighth oil the population
we have at last gained the full opportuniil Of tie
Republican principle. Sir Is the signal Felicity
of this occasion that on the one hundrclth ami
vcrsary Of the first battle in the War Of American
Independence. nav salute yon who led % vic
tory the citizen soldiers OF American liberty. as
the ilrst elected President of the free republic OF
the United State. Fortunate man, 90 whom God
IA, giyca the priceless boon OF associsiins your
name with that triumph Of freedom which will
presently bind the East aud the West, the North
and the south, In a closer aud more perc,, union
for tine establishment OF justice and The security
OF the blessings OF liberty than these state have
ever Known.
Fellow citzen- that union i The lony ask
which this haiowed day and this sacred ~po; Inn.
pose uponus. Aud what cloud OF doubt - dark
hang, over us as that which lowered above the
colonies when the troops of the King marched into
this town. aud the men OF Midd+c-eX resolved l.
pass the bridge With their faith and their vii
sc shall win their victory. No royal governor, in.
decl. sits in yon stately capital no hostile feet
rsy many year has veXel the waters Of our
COASTS, nor is any army but our own ever likely to
tread our soil. Not such are our enemies today.
They dn not come proudly stepping 20 the drum
beat with bayoGcts fa~hiug in the morning sun
Bul wherever patty spirit shall strain The ancient
guarantee, OF freedom, or Jsotfy aud ignorance
shall lay their fatal hands upon education, or The
arrogance OF caste shall strike at equal rights, or
corruption shall poison the very springs OF m
..
Lexington Green and Concord Bridge, and as You
love gour country and your Kind. and wound have
ycur children rise mp aud call YOU blessed. spare
not the enemy. over The hills, out OF The earth.
down hom the c,oads, pour inresisslcss mtshi.
tire from every ro-k and tree from door and win
dow from ncarth,touc aul chamber. hang upon
hi, Hank anl rear from noon to sunset, and 80
through land blazing with hol, indignation hurl
,ae horics ot Ignorance aui corruption aud in
justice back back lu utter defeat aud ruin.