An Oration Upon the Life and Services of Gen. David Wooster; Delivered at Danbury, April 27th, 1854, When a Monument Was Erected to His Memory (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 edition. Excerpt: ... ORATION. I Rise to encounter no forbidding glances, to discern in no hostile or averted look the bias of sect or the bigotry of party. Divided sentiments and conflicting opinions are not to be harmonized here. One in gratitude, we are one in thought and feeling. In unreserved fellowship, every mind, heart and hand, have united in placing a stone upon the spot, where for more than three-quarters of a century, courage and patriotism have slept unhonored. The grave of Wooster is no longer unmarked. No longer do his ashes slumber among a thankless people. The State to its child, its bulwark and martyr, Masonry to the master-builder of its oldest temple, and Danbury to its self-sacrificing avenger, have at length yielded the slow tribute of a monument. High in its commanding position, it now overlooks the commonwealth he served and the field on which he fell; it proclaims to the South his devotion as a patriot, to the East his fidelity as a brother: the arms of the State with its God-trusting motto, and the emblems of military heroism, appropriately honor and embellish it: it stretches far up toward that heaven to which his faith aspired, and it is fittingly surmounted by the glorious bird which he helped to make the symbol of victory, and the invincible standard-bearer of the Republic. "Long, in its shade shall children's children come, And earth's poor traveler find a welcome home; Long shall it stand and every blast defy, Till heaven's last whirlwind rends the sky."1 Amidst war and havoc, through these streets that were then only marked by the blackened and still smoking ruins of what once were dwellings, while most of the inhabitants of this village were homeless wanderers upon the surrounding hills, a few weeping followers slowly and silently...