The Yorktown Campaign and the Surrender of Cornwallis, 1781 #244312

When, half a century or more ago, they were erecting that granite pile on Bunker Hill, some very practical people asked, What good will a monument do? Edward Everett, rousing himself to one of his finest efforts, replete with classical illustration, silenced them by asking in re turn, What good will anything do 2 and the monument went up. The preservation of their history, in some form or other, seems to be one of the first duties of a people; especially where the record is praiseworthy and inspiring, as in our own case, the neglect is unpardonable. There are few brighter chapters in American history than that which presents the success of the Revolution; and at this particular time we may revive it, perhaps, with advantage, as tending, in a certain way, to strengthen the' national good-feeling with which we enter upon the second century of our experience. We cannot but take a common pride in Yorktown.