The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-10-26
YORKTOWN
Centennial CELEBRATION
ADDRESS OF PRESI-
DENT ARTHUR.


THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
Upon this soil,n he said, zone
hundred years ago. our forefathers
brought to a successful issue their
heroic struggle for independence:
Here and then was established, and
as we trust, made secure upon this
continent for ages yet to come, that
principle of government which is
the very fiber OF our political sys-
tem-the sovereignty of the people.
The resentments which attended,
and for time survived, the
clash of arms has long since ceased
to animate our hearts. 1t is with
no feeling of exultation over a de-
feated foe that to-day we summon
up a remembrance Of those events
which have made holy the ground
whereon we tread. Surely no such
unworthy sentiment could find har-
Dor in our hearts, SO profoundly I'LL,
ed with expression of sorrow and
sympathy which our national be-
reayement has evolved from the
people of England and their august
sovereign but it is altogether fitting
that we should gather here to refresh
our souls with the contemplation OF
the unfaltering patriotism. the stur-
DIV zeal and the sublime faith which
achieved the results we now COM
memorate. For so, if we learn a
right lesson of the hour, shall we be
incited to transmit to the generation
which shall follow the precious leg
acy which our fathers left to us, the
love of liberty protected by law.
OF that historic scene which we here
celebrate no feature is more proml-
nent and none more touching than
the participation of our gallant al
| lies from across the sea. 1t was
their presence which gave fresh and
vigorous impulse to the hopes OF
our countrymen when well nigh
disheartened by long series OF dis
asters. 1t was their noble and gen.
erous aid, extended in the darkest
period of the struggle. which sped
the coming of our triumph and
made the capitulation of Yorktown
possible a century ago. To their de-
scendants and representatives who
are here present as the honored
guests of the nation it is my glad
duty to offer cordial welcome. You
have a right to share with US the as
sociation which cluster about the
day when your fathers fought side
by side with our fathers in the cause
which was here crowned with sue
cess. and none of these memories
wakened by this anniversary are
more grateful to us all than the
reflection that the national friend
ships here so closely cemented have
outlasted the mutations of q change
full century. God grant, my coun
trymen, that they may ever remain
mistaken ard that ever heucetorti
with ourselves and with all the ma
tions of the earth we may be a
peace. .
The President wGs not interrupt
ed during the delivery of his address
but there was great enthusiasm a
the close.
The following order was read b,
Secretary Blaine
"In recognition of the friendly re
Ilations so long and happily existing
between Great Britain and the Uni
. ted States, in trust and confidence
of peace and good will between tn
two countries to come, and especial
ly as mark of profound respec
entertained by the American peopl
for the illustrious and gracious lad,
) who sits upon the British throne, i
/ is hereby ordered thatat the clos
of these ceremonies commemorative
of the valor and success of our fore
fathers in their patriotic strugg!
for independence, the British fla
) shall be saluted by the procession
, of the army and navy of the Unite'
: States now at Yorktown. The sec
: retary of the nayy will give order
/ accordingly.
: (Signed) CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
BY the president
: JAMES G. BLAINE, Sec'y. Of State.
e SPEECH OF THE MARQUIS DE RocHANI
e BEAU.
7 The Marquis de Rochambea'
made graceful speech in French
f in which he said : Citizens Of tn
: United States, you have invited u;
: to celebrate with you the grea
: achievement ofarms, and We did nc
: hesitate to brave the terrors of tn
4 ocean TO say to you that what on
: fathers and brothers did in 17Sl We
their sons, would be willing to-da
i to do and to attest our constan
4 friendship, and to further show tha
: we cherish the same sentiments a
n our fathers in those glorious day
! we celebrate. In the name of m
i companions, who represent here tn
men who fought, permit me to hop
: that the attachment formed in thes
d DAYS around this monument whic
5, is about to be erected, will be renew
d ed in one hundred years, and Wi
e again celebrate the victory whic
: Joined our fathers in comradeshi
l. and alliance"
t Baron Steuben thea responded
/? German in an appropriate speec
/ which was LOUDLY applauded.
It --