Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-08-09


fired with pure and patriotic zeal for
freedom, will, when assembled around
the festive board, recount the splendid
achievements of those heroic sages who
fought, bled, and died in defence of their
country.
During the short interval of peace that
succeeded the French war in America,
the British government lost no time in
deyising means to curb the growth oil
civil and political liberty in the then Bril-
fish colonies; which now form the
young and powerful Republic. Great
and enormous expenses had been incur
red by these colonies in a savage and
bloody war which had then just closed
but greater still, was the avarice of the
British government, when they deyelo
ed the plan of reducing the free people
to passive obedience by enormous taxes,
imposed upon many articles of foreign
growth and manufacture which were
then imported into these colonies from
the mother country. Stamp acts, and
excessive duty upon tea followed in the
train /; with threat of royal vengeance,
if not aceuiesced in, with /" uncondition-
al submission" Add to this, the quar-
tering OF British troops in our sea ports,
to awe the unoffcnding and defenceless
inhabitants to yield obedience to these
new and unsavory requisitions-requi-
sitions as APPALLING to reason and justice,
as they were contrary to a wise and ge-
nerous policy in the government, which
imposed them.
The continental congress- which was
assembled in 1870, peti,ioned the Br-
fish parliament for redress of their
unsanctihed grievances and they re-
solved on non-importation and non
expectation of all merchandise COM
modities, until these grievances should
be heard by the royal ear, and finally re-
dressed by royal authority. But the
royal ear had become deaf to the repeat
ed complaints Of his injured and insulled
colonies. Large fleets lowered upon
our coast; and British troops were
transported hither to be supported by
those whom they were sent to plumber
and massacre. The colonies which
then contained a population of little
more than two millions, were aroused to
sense of warlike preparation and, 10
the aslonishment of an interested and
staring world, took bold, decided, and
hostile stand against an ancient and
warsike nation oil great power and i'm
mense wealth, whose maratime power
had breathed defiance to the marine OF
Europe.
They petitioned for fair and
equal representation OF these colonies
in the BRUSH parliament. Their re-
quest was treated with ridicule and con-
tempt. Injuries and indignities thicken-
ed upon these colonies until the last
spark of the hope ofreconcilia,ion, glim-
mered in its socket. The situation Of
this people, at this portentous period,
was truly deplorable, and threw gloom
over all North America. To resist, was
almost inevitable subJugation or death.
10 shrink from the conflict, was at once,
an admission OF the entire surrender OF
ali that was dear to Americans, and
alike degrading and disgraceful. Patriots
wept; and republicanism awoke from
its slumber. The love of country glow.
ed in every parrots bosom. The world
saw with astonishment a thin population
scattered over an immense territory,
rallying around the standard of freedom,
and offering themselves willing victims
to save the remnant of colonial liberty
that yet remained without the reach of
tyrant's grasp. The storm which had
been gathering over this devoted country
finally burst upon the town of Lexington,
in the state of Massachusetts, and the
battle that ensued, though it eventuated
in favor of these colonies, gave an cleo
trio shock; that vibrated through all
the British provinces in America. From
Maine to Georgiathe people ran to arms
at the same time the wilderness rustled
with the preparation of the savage whet.
ting his scalping-knife and tomahawk,
inten. upon plumber and greedy for the
promised repast of human victims. A
new era had commenced. Our sea-
board, inland, and frontier towns that be.
fore this time had been engaged in com.
mercial and mercantile pursuits now
resounded with the preparations of war.
Amid the various successes and defeats
attendant upon the arms of these colo
mics, one Of the most important state pa
pers that ever was issued, was now pro-
muIgated, by the continental congress,
to a candid world, under the title Of the
Declaration Of independence.
(which was here read)-