Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-10-26
The Truth OF History.

Historical research, it is believed, has been
more general at the occurrence of the York
town centennial than at the observance of
any of the previous centenaries of the i'm
portant events of the Revolution. The pop
ular mind has been led to see in a clearer
light how important was the aid furnished
our fathers by France, and how much the
final triumph was directly attributable to
the material assistance of a powerful and
generous ally. In the observance of the
centenaries of Lexington and Bunker Hill
of the Declaration of Independence, of Sara
toga, Monmouth and many of the minor
events which the cycle of a hundred years
has brought to our attention with unusual
force, the predominance of the active Ameri.
can element in the revolutionary struggle
was very naturally the chief subject of con.
temptation. But the Yorktown celebration
reveals the decisive presence in that contest
of another element without which, as GER
tainly as without the amity which existed
between the colonies, the American press
would not now be chronicling the details of
the ceremonies commemorative the last
great military triumph of wonderful revo-
luton. There has been in times past dis
position, even among the better informed
class of Americans, to assume for the colonists
the sole credit of having met and baffled,
single-handed, the military power of Great
Britain; to regard the assistance rendered
by France as an incident in the struggle,
giving the patriots some hopes which proved
illusory, rather than assistance which was
real and substantial. The facts have been
made to appear in the course of this York
town celebration. Calmer views of our early
national history, and more just apprecia-
tion OF the events OF the struggle and the
agencies which conspired to make it success
full have been presented. The result is
deeper sense of obligation to the friends who
came 10 the assistance of the revolutionary
armies in critical emergency, and a feel
ing almost of relief as from some impending
disaster that all the narrow hazards of dire
full defeat were safely passed and great
nation successfully embarked on its mar
velous career. 1t has become clearer than
ever that the guiding hand of Providence
was in that struggle; that into the lighter
balance the whole weight of favorng cir
cumstances was thrown, and accomplished
for the American cause that which human
strength and human wisdom would have I'M
dertaken in vain. The American Reyolu-
tion succeeded by the interpostion of Di.
vine Providence. Free government was not
established by the unaided efforts OF the colo
nists. 1t is not apiece OF property TO which
we havewon an unchallenged right and which
is ours TO use for selfish ends or TO barter
away for selfish purposes. 1t is trust to
transmit not only unimpaired but with rich
increase from generation to generation, and
in the benefits of which the people of all
nations shall have right to participate. 1t
is subject for sincere congratulation that
during century's flight Americans have
betrayed no infdelity to that sacred trust
but that in their keeping the boundaries of
freedom have been enlarged and strength
ened, not Only on the soil specially devoted
to liberty, but in countries where the divine
right of kings to rule had never been chal-
lenged. Compare the governments of
France, of Englsnd, of Germany, of Austria,
and of Italy to-day with the absolutism of
the iron-clad monarchies which ruled those
countries century ago; compare the condi-
ton OF their people then with their condi-
ton now; compare the institutions of this
country to-day with those of even quarter
OF century ago, and little will be found in
the acts or the example of the legatees of a
trust century old to bring the blush of
shame to their cheeks, or require for them a
syllable Of defense.