El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-02-16
Democracy's First
Martyr Was Doctor
Gen. jos. Warren, Boston Physician
Gave His Life for Freedom at
Battle OF Bunker Hill.
By MADISON c. PETERS.
Upright. 1917. by Madison c Peters.


"R JOSEPH WARREN was born
near Boston in 1741. and at the
age Of Is, graduated with dis
tinction from Harvard He rapidly
acquired great fame for his skill IN
the practice OF medicine, was re-
.nowned for his humanity. admired for
his handsome person. and loved by all
the patriots for the determined stand
he took deliberately on the side Of
his country.
He was for two years the foremost
figure in the political movements Of
Massachusetts,. after Samuel Adams
left Boston. Aug 10, 1874. TO attend
the Continental congress in Philadel-
phia, and was member Of the first
committee OF correspondence appointed
by the city Of Boston, in November.
1772, which led TO the subsequent
union Of the colonies
a threat having been made by some
OF the British officers that they
would take the life Of any man who
should dare to speak of the Boston
massacre on the fifth anniversary,
March 5, 1875. Dr.. Warren solicited
the honor as orator. The Old South
meeting house was SO crowded that
the speaker had to make his entrance
- q AaAAEA aA int pulpit MluQOk-
Cool. collected, and composed. he ad-
vanced into the midst of his audience
and neither a British officers signffi-
cant play with musket balls upon the
pulpit stairs. nor even Interruptions
outside by drumbeats. could IN the
slightest degree disturb the fearless
orator.
The design OF the British to seize
the military stores at Concord having
49,
INN ediately dispatched messengers
with the information by various
routes TO Lexington, 10 arouse the
militia. He was actively engaged in
the action at Lexington. Amicable
settlement OF the dispute being now
out of question. the undisciplined
troops began to assemble at Cam
bridge.
DR.. Warren was president OF the
Massachusetts congress. being thus
made chief executive Of the provincial
government He was also chairman
Of the committee OF public safety for
collecting military stores and organ
izing the militia.
Becomes Major General.
On June "A he was chosen major
general OF the Massachusetts, forces.
Gen Warren proceeded Immediately
to Bunker HILL the provincial con-
gress having determined to take pos
session OF that place though Warren
himself had been opposed to It.
But he informed Eldridge Gerry
that since the majority had deter
mined upon il. he would hazard his
life to carry their determination into
effect Gerry in the strongest terms
expressed the opinion that It would
he in vain to attempt to hold Bunker
Hill, declaring. "If It must be so. II IS
not worth while for you to be present
It viii be madness to expose yourself
where your death will be inevitable"
Warren replied. 'T know 1t. but I live
within the sound OF the cannon: how
can hear them roaring in so glorious
cause and not be there2" Gerry
answered. AS surely as you go. YOU
will be slain" Warren then replied.
It know that I may fall: but where
Is the man who does not think II
glorious and delightful to die for his
country"
Is Killed Fighting.
At the final conflict. having risen
from a sick bed. he borrowed
musket and cartouch box from ser
geant who was retiring. and mingled
in the thichest OF the fight. encour-
aging the men, when a bullet passed
through his head. killing him in
stantly-on the same day. June II,
that Washington received his commits |
sion as commander-in-chief of the
Continental army.
Joseph Warren was the foremost
Free Mason in New England. He was
4 member Of St Andrews lodge of
Boston. In 1853 he was appointed /
grand master OF Boston and for 100
miles surrounding by the grand |
master Of Scotland, and in 1878 also |
by the grand master Of Scotland. his
Jurisdiction was extended over the
continent Of America He presided
over all except four Of the 40 meetings
OF his grand lodge TIL his death. /
Warren was the first grand offering /
Of American Masonry on the altar Of /
liberty.
After the British troops evacuated |
Boston, Warren's remains, which were 4
Identified by a particular false tooth. 4
we're eXhumed and rnnnrnd 70 Rnsfnn