EVACUATION DAY.
 

CHAPTER L

r^UR MEMORABLE REVOLUTION, so proMc of grand
and glorious themes, presents none more thrilling than is
afforded by the closing scene in that stupendous struggle
which gave birth to our free and noble Republic. New York
City will have the honor of celebrating, on the 25th of November,
the hundredth anniversary of this event, the most signal in its
history ; and which will add the last golden link to the chain of
Revolutionary Centennials, A century ago, on "Evacuation
Day," so called in our local calendar, the wrecks of those proud
armies,—sent hither by the mother country to enforce her darling
scheme of "taxation without representation,"—withdrew from
our war-scarred city, with the honors of defeat .thick upon them,
but leaving our patriotic fathers happy in the enjoyment of tlieir
independence, so gloriously won in a seven years' conflict.

With the expiring century has also disappeared the host of
brave actors in that eventful drama! Memory, if responsive, may
bring up the venerable forms of the " Old Seventy Sixers," as
they still lingered among us two score years ago ; and perchance
recall with what soul-stirring pathos they oft rehearsed "the
times that tried men's souls." But they have fallen, fallen before
the last great enemy, till not one is left to repeat the story of their
campaigQS, their sufferings, or their triumphs. But shall their
memories perish, or their glorious deeds pass into obKvion ?
Heaven forbid ! Rather let us treasure them in our heart of
hearts, and speak their praises to our children ; thus may we keep
unimpaired our love of country, and kindle the patriotism of those
who come after us. To-day they shall live again, in the event
we celebrate. And what event can more strongly appeal to the
popular gratitude than that which brought our city a happy de¬
liverance from a foreign power, gave welcome relief to our patriot
sires, who had fought for their country or suffered exile, and
marked the close of a struggle which conferred the priceless
blessings of peace and liberty, and a government which knows no
sovereign but the people only. Our aim shall be, not so much
to impress the reader with the moral grandeur of that day, or
with its historic significance as bearing upon the subsequent
growth and prosperity of our great metropolis ; but the rather to
 

105479