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. It is true, that in that august ceremonial, when the sword of Cornwallis and the banner of haughty Britain were tendered in surrender, the noble Roehambeau and our own Washington stood before the conquering armies with equal rank. On that day, however, there was honor enough even to be divided. There was glory enough at Yorktown to give to the allied French their just, and even a generous share, and to leave ample for Americans for all the ages. But upon this occasion of revival of patriot memory and of self-congratulation we may be pardoned, even by the descendants of those valiant allies, if we recall the historic fact, that in the generous rivalry of that night assault upon the English entrenchments, the yoemanry of America first scaled the hostile parapet, even before the tried veterans of Gaul ; and the stars and stripes of the infant republic were planted within the hostile lines even before the standard of F' ranee.