The New York herald., 1877-10-18
Grand Celebration Of England's
Defeat at Schuylerville.
FORTY THOUSAND SPECTATORS.
Procession to the Site OF Bur-
goyne's Surrender.
THE EXERCISES.
Orations by Horatio Seymour George
w. Curtis and Others.

SCHuYLKRvILLE, N. Y, Oct. IL, 1871
Az CONNIE moration of the great surrender which
occurred this village hundred years ago The cell
cbraton here to-day was great success. Memorable
and important the victory Of General Gates was,
the story and its cxctements having been taught Tor
generations In the Mohawk Valley, much moro i'm
portance attached, however, in the minds Of the
people here TO the magnificent monuments, tho foun-
dation stone Of which was lald to-day with full
Masonic ceremonial. The chief difficulty was to pro-
vide even the most scanty accommodation Tor tho
multitude. some forty thousand people having
arrived before the exercises began. A battery
from Troy began the day by a salute of 100 guns.
Gradually large bodies Of troops arrived to take part
In the procession, including the Governors Foot
Guard, OF Hartford, Conn. the Park Guard, Of Ben
nng,on; one company each OF the Tenth ana Twenty
NTH regiments, of Albany; the hughes Guard, OF
Glen's Fails, and the Burleigh Guards, OF Whitehall
Knights Templars Communicates were fully repre-
sentcd by the Washington, of Saratoga the Apollo OF
Troy; the Temple OF Albany; the st. George, OF
Schenectady the Desoto OF Plattsburg, and tho Holy
Cross, OF Gloversvle The Grand Lodge OF Masons Of
the State OF New York was represented by NJ. W.
Joseph J. Couch, Grand Master; r. w. Ed
ward L. Judson, Deputy Grand Master; NJ.
W. James Gibson, as Senior Grand Warden; r. W.
Benjamin Flagler, Junior Warden; r. W. G. Satterly,
Grand Treasurer; r. W. W. Woodruff, as Grand
Chaplain; r. W. John G. Boar, Grand Marshal; X W.
W. E. Fitch, as Grand Standard Bearer; r W. Edwin
Gates, Grand sword Bearer; r. w. A. Parker, r. w.
Willinfn Scott r. W. A. Yeoman and Il. w. J. G. Bar
ker, Stewards; r. W. s. l.. Stman, Senior Grand
Deacon; r. w. J. NJ. Riley, Junior Grand Deacon; W.
J. A. Dermont, as Grand Pursuvant, and W. John
Hoole, Grand Tier
LAYING THE CORNER STONE.
Tho procession was very long and interesting.
Shortly after O'Clock the foundation stone OF the
Saratoga Monument laid by Grand Master Couch,
tho ''tcsting'' being by the lodges in regular
order after which it was delivered to architect
charge
CENTENNIAL CEREMONIES.
At two O'Clock speaking began at stand No. l.
After prayer by Rev. Dr. Clark OF Albany, Charles s.
Lester, president OF the daY, addressed the assem-
blagc.
GOVERNOR sEYMoUR's ADDRESS.
The address OF Governor Seymour followed. Hc
opened reference the great moral effect OF tho
surrender OF Burgoync, up to which time the Declara
ton OF Independence was but a declaration, but it
seen that IL contained the germs Of govern
ment which the event now celebrate made one Of
the Powers OF the earth. Continuing, he said
We meet to-day TO celebrate the surrender Of Bur-
goyne by appropriate ceremonies, and 10 lay the cor
stone oi a monument which will commemorate,
not only that event. but every fact which lcd 10 that
result The rcproach rests upon tho United States
Of the earth by virtue OF their numbers, their vast
domains and Their progress in wealth and IN arts,
they give proof 10 the eyes OF tho world
that they honor their fathers or those whose
sacrifices laid the foundations OF tneir pros
pcrity greatness We hope that SUIT
able structure here Will tell all who look upon i, that
this the OF occurrence unsurpassed in
Importance and lar reaching consequences in military
annaa Ana IL Will also show that a hundred years
have not dmmed It's lustre in our eyes but that the
light shed upon its significance by the lapse OF time
has deeper and stronger our gratitude TO those
who here served their country so well and by their
sacrifices surerings achieved It's independence
secured the liberties, the prosperity and greatness OF
tho American people.
At this ceiebraton OF the grand conclusion OF the
campaign OF Burgoyne we have u broader field OF dis.
that oil battle, however stirring IL may
have been. The occasion calls not only for praise OF
heroic courage not only for deep interest in every
statement showing the influence OF It's victories over
the judgment o the world 10 the strength OF our
but also Tor It's importance one OF the Inks
the cham Of events reaching back more than two CEN
turies, and which Will continue 10 stretch down
the future lar beyond the period when human thought
or conclusions can be oil value
INFLUENCE TOPOGRAPHY.
The speaker ana others VINO have addressed the
pubic win regard TO American history nave made
frequent references TO the extent that has been
shaped by the topography OF this part OF country
On tins occasion forces itself upon our attention,
and again outline It's relat onship to events.
Those would learn the causes which have shaped
the course OF military and political affairs this
tinent which have given victory in war and pros
perity In peace must spread out before them
tho map OF our country. having traced
lakes they will be struck with tho iact that Tor a
thousand miles the Allcgnapies make long ranges OF
barriers between the Atlantic and the great plains Of
the interior. About midway OF their lengths these
lofty mountains cut down TO their bases by the
gorge Of the Hudson through which the tides Of The
ocean pour their floods IN triumph. Towering cliffs
overshadow the deep waters OF tue river Had but a
single spur OF those rocky buttresses which crowd
narrow cnasm, had but ono OF the beet
ling cliffs which stand its brink been
pushed but few It's course the currents
OF events would have been changed as completely as
the oil the floods. The nations who controlled
the outlets OF tue MISSISSIPPI and toe 81. Lawrence
would have been the masters OF this continent Once,
when company with General Scott, we overlooked
from elevated point the ground on which We stand
the confluence OF these rivers aud the range OF
highlands which marked their courses, tho old war
rior with kIndling eye stretched out his arm and
SAID Remcm Der this mas been tho strategic point in
all wased for the control OF TINS continent
The mountains and valleys OF New York not only
mako channels for commerce in peace, but grand
system tor offence and attack They
tures commanding works, which dwarf by compari-
all human monuments Of engineering into insig-
nincancc
The influence OF tho valleys OF country has not
been lost IN the wars OF our day. "We should have
cause, said Governor Wise, Il distinguished
leader OF the southern Conleicracy "had not God
made the rivers which sprng from the high.
lands oil New YORK 10 flow from the North
10 the South, thus making, by thor valleys,
pathways for armies INTO all parts OF our Territories
Had their courses bccn III other directions, their
streams would have made barriers against Northern
armies instead OF giving avenues by which they could
assail u.s." Nor have they been less controlling IN
peace than Ia They make tho great channels OF
commerce between the East and the West and enable
draw to the scaboard Tho abundant harves,s Of
the valley OF the Mississippi and 10 send them 70 Tue
1ar-off markets oi Europe.
After extended reference to the advantages which
accrued to the British commander from the presence
OF his Indian allies the speaker proceeded TO consider
the material effect OF tho surrender.
THE MONUMENT.
Governor Seymour here paid high tribute to Cen
eral Schuyler, whom he styled the one figure which
rises all Others upon whose conduct and bearing
we love TO dwell Alter reference to the monument
what II was designed to commemorate and what "
suggested, the eloquent speaker concluded as fol-
lows:-
A monument upon this spot will not merely minis
to local pride 1t will not foster sectional preJu
diccs every citizen OF every state IN tins Union VIII
feel he looks upon IL that he has right TO stand
upon this ground. 1t Will tell OF common
sacrifices and common Trials OF tho fathers oil the Re-
public Men from all parts OF our Union Will here be
reminded that our Independence people
wrought out by the suierrgs ana sacrifices OF those
who came every quarter OF our country share
In tn valley In the periis OF battle ana IN the tri
umpps OF victory. Here sectional passions Will fade
uway. and the glorious memories aud the fratcrnal