The Oration
Edward Everett, 1821.
Transcription: I am, Dear Sir, with great Respect, Your faithful humble servant, Edward Everett.
1825: Edward Everett
Edward Everett was the first invited orator for a Concord Fight anniversary celebration. While Everett would later serve as Secretary of State and Governor of Massachusetts, he began his career as a Unitarian pastor, and quickly gained local prominence. By 1825, he taught literature at Harvard, and was an accomplished public speaker.
Robert Rantoul, Jr., c. 19th century.
Oration by Robert Rantoul, Jr. and Account of the Union Celebration at Concord, 1850.
The oration of Robert Rantoul, Jr. was highly anticipated. Rantoul was, at the time, a US Senator for Massachusetts. He later served as a member of both the US House of Representatives and the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Prior to his political career, Rantoul was a progressive attorney, and had argued cases in favor of organized labor.
George William Curtis, 1885.
Also well-anticipated, George William Curtis was an abolitionist, prolific political writer, and editor of Harper’s Weekly. At the time of his oration in Concord, Curtis had recently served as chair of President Ulysses S. Grant’s Civil Service Commission. As Curtis spoke, portions of the stage began to collapse. He also had to pause briefly so that President Grant could leave for the celebration in Lexington.