Lynchburg Virginian

A Thrilling Speech.—The 60th anniversary of the memorable battle of Lexington, the beginning of the American Revolution, was celebrated at Danvers, Massachusetts, as well as at Lexington, by a public procession, attended by a brilliant escort, an Address, and the laying of a corner stone of a monument to be erected by the enterprising citizens of Danvers, in memory of the seven citizens of that town who fell at the battle of Lexington.

At the place where the Monument is to be erected the assembled people were addressed by the venerable Gideon Foster, the surviving commander of the Danvers company, who repaired to Lexington, on the morning of the battle, and fought bravely the glorious fight of their country. What an interesting spectacle it must have been to witness that venerable man, whose locks are whitened with the frost of eighty six winters, coming from amidst the sires, the patriots of the Revolution, that worthy race of men who have now almost passed from among us, and addressing his children, and the children of his compatriots in arms, in the following eloquent strains.

[Balt. Pat.

FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS:

On the ever memorable 19th day of April, 1775 now sixty years past, it was my fortune to meet in this place, with numbers of my fellow-citizens, to defend the rights and liberties of my country. The alarm of war was sounded. The enemy was then amongst us. The first blood of Americans was then shed. On the plains of Lexington the roar of arms was then sounding—the strife of war was then raging.

On that morning more than one hundred of my townsmen hastened to the field of battle—unused to the artifices of war—unskilled in the art of slaying their fellow men—their hearts were flowing with zeal in their country's cause, and ready to offer their lives on the altar of their liberties. Seven of those who thus started in the prime of life and vigor of manhood, ere that day's sun descended in the west, were numbered with the dead—Many others have marks of the well directed fire of the enemy.

To perpetuate the memory of those who then offered their lives for their Country's good, to perpetuate the principles with which they were actuated, is the purpose of this day's meeting—is the purpose of the monument, the foundation of which has now been laid. May this purpose be attained—may these principles be remembered, and made the rule of action, in all coming time; and may the names which are here recorded endure until the granite of our own hills shall be crumbled in the dust.

I was then 26 years of age. About 10 days before, I had been chosen to command a company of minute men, who were at all times to be in readiness at a moment's warning. They were ready. They all assembled on the very spot where we this day assemble, they all went, and in about four hours from the time of meeting, they travelled on foot (full half the way upon the run) eighteen miles, and saluted the enemy. This they did most effectually, as the records of that day must clearly prove. I discharged my musket at the enemy a number of times, (I think eleven,) with two balls each time, and with well directed aim. My comrade, (Mr. Cleaves, of Beverly.) who was then standing by my side, had his finger and ramrod cut away by a shot from the enemy.

Whether my shot took effect, I cannot say, but this I can say, if they did not, it was not for want of determined purpose, in him who sent them. Of those under my immediate command, there is none left alive. Three of them were slain on that day—I alone remain to tell their story. I, a tottering old man, through the goodness of God, am still permitted to be here. I am permitted to see this day's ascending sun, and to witness these interesting ceremonies. I can truly say it is one of the happiest days, and most pleasing events of my life.

A few days more at most, and perhaps very few, and I also shall be numbered with the dead. But while I see the spirit that moved the Patriots of '76, bright and vigorous in the breasts of their descendants—while I see the rights of my fellow-citizens maintained, and the Constitution of my country defended—I can say with Simeon of old, 'now Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen the salvation of My COUNTRY.'