Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-02-28


produced the mightiest results. Occurrences
immaterial in themselves, to which the world Is
indebted for many great discoveries in science,
exempiify nv proposition Is reference neces-
sary to the accidents which induced the discover
les of Newton, Calico ard TorrIcellIs S,nn
we speak IF the desoliting wars which have bro
ken out from the most trivial causes! or show
how, perhaps, the razing Of thrones and the
building up OF empires have been suspended on
the issue of Dattle!-0r how successfully our
sacred Religion was established and prOpagated
through the exertions Of a few unlettered indiv,-
dualsl Yet, notwithstanding the mass Of EVIL
tence we possess to prove the effect often disprO-
pOrtioned to the cause, we cannot but feel amaZ-
ed at the result of that struggle, whose rise was
owing to the tax Of few pence on one OF the
Injuries of life. and depended on feeling which
was, at its inception, considered by some as I'M
natural and dislOyal; but which afterwards broke
out with an energy resislIess as it was holy. AL
though the seeds of the wind had been sown long
ere the British Crown had good cause to antici-
pate a harvest Of the whrlwInd; though prin-
ciple had been at work in the hearts of the colo.
nists which gave them some intimatlon that the
rule of expediency was NOT always cunsonant
with the majesty Of right, and that ROYAL edicts
and loyal obedience might often be SYNONYMOUS
with arbitrary misrule aud blind serviity; though
thew felt sensiblv the burdens imposed en- them;
yet few among them dared to predict the crisis
which terminated so favorabiy for themselves.
Until within short time before the first decisive
blow, none but the most sagacious could have
tureseen the events Of the future. But those who
did had glorious and exciting prospect before
them. The advantages success would bring with
1t were carefully weighed by them against the
chances of defeat.-Results have shown how
wise was the determination. Yet serious ob,ta.
ces were presented. The opposition, in many
cases, Of our own citizens was to be encounter
ed From an AFFECT fear Of consequences, in
case of failure, some would not cOuntenance the
attempt. Manv dreaded the idea of taking up
arms against the land Of thei, parents birth,
which they had been taugh to revere, aud believe
as the fountain of all purity and dignity. Others
were lukewarm from personal considerations and
motives Of interest; while the greater number of
the disatet ted sought pretext for their conduct
III ,lifi':eDcr OF our power anu resources Yet
with all these difficulties, and others to which we
need only advert, the irretrievable step TAX
Ell; and both parties were soon fulIv aware that
the Temple OF Janus had been opened
The wavering and uncertain policy pursued
by the Cabinet Of ST. James towards the Pro-
vlnces, must bear al equally uncertain construc-
ton. The Minister either wished to try wan
ton and paraduxical experiment IN legislation. or
to seek the issue which so speedily was io,ned.
The PRIMARY object was revenue, which having
failed. and the measures being persisted IN, We,
are inclined to hold the latter opinion. Why was
representation denied us. aud taxation without
our consent imposeds Duties on six several
commodities were laid. Policy, az length. the
petitions of their own manufacturers being adj
ded to the recama,Ons of the COlOnists. forced
the Ministry to modify their plans. The reasons
given for repeating FIVE of the duties were, that
they were laid contrary to the true principles of
commerce." Yet duty of three pence on tea
was retained, at the same time that drawback
OF five shllings on the exported article was re-
mitted. Was this consistent with the ''true
principles of commercei" Was revenue the OBJ
Jet OF the retentionl From the passage Of the
obnoxious acts the spirit of the Colonies was
evinced by Just indignation and sense Of op.
preston, manifested in their reiterated remon.
strances, not only to the Government. but to the
People of Great Britain Were the Ministry.
blind, or did their sense Of consistency lead them
to consider their determination irrev ocabIes-
All expnstulatlnns we're received with the indif-
ference and contempt of men resolved on their
purpose, aud confident OF their power to execute
1t. That purpose NAV be gathered from declar-
alton nf membert Of the Calumet that, rebel.
lion ras not to be deprecated on The part of G. eat
Britain; that the CO Jfscafions II uo0uld produce.
,ooutd proride for many Of their friends! Yet
there were msgivings. Of which the partial re-
peal before mentioned is evidence. At later
day we find an inconsistency in legislation, at
trlbutable to different motive: "At the end of
November 1871, the House of Commons voted
an address 10 his Majesty. BY which the members
pledged themselves TO support the prosecution of
the war; in the beginning of the following March,
they pronounced every an enemy Of his
King and Country, who should recommend, or
in any way promote its continuance"!t
Parliamentary taxation was considered unjust,
because not authorized BY the people o, their
representatives: and overlooking that maxim in
the English Constitution which refers all the evil
Of the Kings acts to his confidential advisers;-
denying any any authority in those advisers, or
in the Parliament of Great Britain to tax them,
the King himself. to whom alone their allegiance
was due. they held Immediately responsible for
their wrongs. He. guided by his Ministry. who
asserted the right IA barren and preambuary
right to raise revenue by imposts, continued in