Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 9.djvu/42

THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ORATIONS Information of these events, circulating throughout the world, at length reached the ears of one who now hears me/ He has not forgotten the emotion which the fame of Bunker Hill, and the name of Warren, excited in his youthful breast. Sir, we are assembled to commemorate the establishment of great public principles of lib- erty and to do honor to the distinguished dead. The occasion is too severe for eulogy of the living. But, sir, your interesting relation to this coun- try, the peculiar circumstances which surround you and surround us, call on me to express the happiness which we derive from your presence and aid in this solemn commemoration. Fortunate, fortunate man ! with what measure of devotion will you not thank God for the circumstances of your extraordinary life! You are connected with both hemispheres and with two generations. Heaven saw fit to ordain that the electric spark of liberty should be conducted, through you, from the New World to the Old; and we, who are now here to perform this duty of patriotism, have all of us long ago received it in charge from our fathers to cherish your name and your virtues. You will account it an instance of your good fortune, sir, that you crossed the seas to visit us at a time which enables you to be present at this solemnity. You now behold the field, the renown of which i Lafayette, who sat among the Eevolutionary officers, facing Webster as he spoke. 32