The honor scholar of the day, a girl of perhaps thirteen years, ascended the platform, unfurled the stars and stripes, and facing, presented them to the expectant lines. At the signal word, each childish form straightened to its fullest height ; each childish eye seemed, at least to my partial fancy, to flash back something of the spirit of 1776 ; and in harmonious grace of mutual action the childish arms gave the salute to the flag ; and the flag itself, as though endowed with conscious appreciation, bowed in mute though eloquent response. It was a sight to melt even an alien's heart, and to send thrilling along his nerves, though of iron strength, waves of patriot feeling.

The fires of this patriotic revival must not be permitted to die out or smoulder away. In their fierce heats, the abhorrent forces of

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MONUMENT DEDICATION.

anarchy, socialism and disloyality will be dissolved and dissipated into vapors of nothingness.

Finally, we dedicate this monument upon this day, of all the year the fittest for such an act ; the day in 17S1, which crowned with final triumph the six long years of toil and battle, of alternate success and defeat, of patriot hope deferred making the heart sick ; the day, which made good the early promise of Lexington, Bunker Hill and White Plains, confirmed the great achievement of Saratoga, wiped away the disgrace of Long Island and Brandywine, and amply atoned even for the agonies of Valley Forge ; the day which brought abounding joy to every patriot heart throughout the thirteen States ; and which in the annals of man will forever remain illumined with "Freedom's holy light;" the ever blessed day of Yorktown. It is true, that in the formal ceremony of victory upon that field our flag did not wave alone before the victorious lines, but another standard floated there as well, milk-white and gemmed with golden lilies.