The Cairo bulletin., 1904-06-04


one contributed more toward the es
adjustment OF the independence d
our country than Ethan Allen. A marl
OF strong, natural endowmenfsI
coupled with decision, energy and
bravery, he controlled the rude and
uneultured people among whom Id
dweit, and led his eighty men, bold inI
spirit and Jealous In action. success.
iully against the strong fortress oil
ileonderoga, demanding its surrend-
er IN the name OF the Great jehovah
ana the Continental Congress" EthanI
Allen is picturesque character. and
the capture of Ticonderoga is one oil
the picturesque episodes of the revo.
lutionary war.
Little Is known of the early life oil
Ethan Allen, save that he was ma.
i've OF Connecticut. The small vii.
| Iage OF coventry, withscarcely a
score of dwellings, was his birthplace,
anu also that of Nathan Hale. the
martyr spy. Allen first comes into
prominence as resident In the New
Hampshire Grants. now the state Of
Vermont, and we find him taking
prominent part In the controversies
which arose between New Hampshire
and New York.
IL was upon the courage OF Ethan
Alien that the noble people of the
Green Mountains relied. He had been
tried in adversely and in prosperity:
he had been weighed and nothing was
found wanting. Therefore his policy
toward the common cause OF Ameri.
can liberty found strong and sHffici-
ent supporters everywhere among his
friends.
From the very beginning OF the
great struggle for liberty, when in
far-off Philadelphia the American
Congress had given the world a new
nation and liberty a home, during the
dark hourus of Valley Forge, even
until victory crowned our banners at
Yorktown, Ethan Allen proved an ar
dent and strenuous supporter OF the
cause, While others were In the &C.
i've service OF their country. Ethan
Allen langulshed captive in the
loathesome prison-ships OF the British:
Dut when urged to desert the cause
Tor which he had suffered untold hard +,
ships his contempt for his would-be
seducers knew no bounds.
Washington, whom he visited At
valley Forge, gives us this brief por-
trait OF the man: His fortitude and
hrmness seem to have placed him out
OF the reach of misfortune. There is
an original something about him that
commands admiration, and his long
captivity and sufferings have only
served to increase, II possible hts an.
thusiastic zeal" -..---..-sa "a A.
In the Held or In council, at home.
a freeman among the green hills OF
vermont, or prisoner In a foreign
lahd, MS spirit never failed him. An
enemy to oppression, he sought every
opportunity to redress the wrongs OF
me oppressed. Like other men he
lad his faults, his sins, his virtues and
lis vices. The beauties and deformi.
les of his character stand out with
prominence and distinctness, and it
8 necessary TO consider all OF these
n order TO form true estimate of
he man. To those who look only at
us honesty, his bravery, his love of
reedom, he is paragon with great
ma god'llke qualities; while to others
Vho look chiefly at his self-con1-
ence, his personal vanity, and bis
ulgar profanity, he Is personifica-
ION OF vice and meanness. Aliens
haracter as a whole was like that of
ar own native mountain forest seem
ry. II was wild and nncultiyated,
ut exhibited much of the sublime
nd the beautiful. IN II we find much
admire, but at the same time much
} deplore.
Upon Winooski's pleasant shore
rave Allen sleeps.
nd there beneath the murmurinx,
pine
freedoms c0nsecrated shrine.
nd every patriot heart will swell
$ bending Ger that lowly grave
@ pays his homage TO the brave"
A staunch friend, brave soldier.
good citizen, an honest and Just
an Is no more! But his fame sur.
YES! And when our young, far.
'reading empire republic shall have
own old, still will the glory Of
than Allen unfaded shine, and will
u die Unit the love Of liberty shall
ase on earth.
HERBERT G. STEINEL.