But that was not the day for any such consideration on either side!  Both parties were anxious to try the strength of their arms.  The pride of England would not permit the rebels, as she termed them, to defy her to the teeth; and, without for a moment calculating the cost, the British general determined to destroy the fort immediately.  On the other side, Prescott and his gallant followers longed and thirsted for a decisive trial of strength and of courage.  They wished a battle, and wished it at once.  And this is the true secret of the movements on this hill.

I will not attempt to describe that battle.  The cannonading; the landing of the British; their advance; the coolness with which the charge was met; the repulse; the second attack; the second repulse; the burning of Charlestown; and, finally, the closing assault, and the slow retreat of the Americans,—­the history of all these is familiar.

But the consequences of the battle of Bunker Hill were greater than those of any ordinary conflict, although between armies of far greater force, and terminating with more immediate advantage on the one side or the other.  It was the first great battle of the Revolution; and not only the first blow, but the blow which determined the contest.  It did not, indeed, put an end to the war, but in the then existing hostile state of feeling, the difficulties could only be referred to the arbitration of the sword.  And one thing is certain:  that after the New England troops had shown themselves able to face and repulse the regulars, it was decided that peace never could be established, but upon the basis of the independence of the Colonies.  When the sun of that day went down, the event of Independence was no longer doubtful.  In a few days Washington heard of the battle, and he inquired if the militia had stood the fire of the regulars.  When told that they had not only stood that fire, but reserved their own till the enemy was within eight rods, and then poured it in with tremendous effect, “Then,” exclaimed he, “the liberties of the country are safe!”

The consequences of this battle were just of the same importance as the Revolution itself.

If there was nothing of value in the principles of the American Revolution, then there is nothing valuable in the battle of Bunker Hill and its consequences.  But if the Revolution was an era in the history of man favorable to human happiness, if it was an event which marked the progress of man all over the world from despotism to liberty, then this monument is not raised without cause.  Then the battle of Bunker Hill is not an event undeserving; celebrations, commemorations, and rejoicings, now and in all coming times.

What, then, is the true and peculiar principle of the American Revolution, and of the systems of government which it has confirmed and established?  The truth is, that the American Revolution was not caused by the instantaneous discovery of principles of government before unheard of, or the practical adoption of political ideas such as had never before entered into the minds of men.  It was but the full development of principles of government, forms of society, and political sentiments, the origin of all which lay back two centuries in English and American history.