History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

the spot where tlie first organized ]-esistance was
made to the king's troops, where tlie first blood
was shed and the first martyrs fell, — had given
to Lexington a historic character which impressed
upon them a sacred regard for the free institutions
of the country. Not only the twenty-two muni-
cipalities which have taken our name, but the peo-
ple in every section of the broad domain, virtually
ask us to be true to our ancient fame.
On the approach of the centennial anniversary.
LEXINGTON. 31
the day to which we have so often referred, Lex-
ington felt called upon to open her doors, and invite
the friends of freedom from every part of the country
to meet on her consecrated soil, that we might join
our bands and our voices in gratitude to the mem-
ory of the patriots who achieved and have sus-
tained our glorious independence; and to renew
our vows to make our republic an example to the
world. Our invitations were sent to the presi-
dent and suite, to the governors of all the states,