Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-12-27
MONDAY, DECEMBER "a, 1882.

awe commence with this number, the
thirty fourth year since the first foundation OF
our paper, and the eleventh by US. Our ef-
fort has been, to make it acceptable 10 all
classes of our readers; to mingle 10 its CO.
umns, the useful with the asfeeable-to ex-
clude nothing of interest which could tell of
passing events, or while away the tediun of
leisure hour-passing "from gay to grave.
from lively to severe" and we shall continue
our efforts, TO merit the appreciation of our
| fellow citizens, for by this we live.
The Salem Gazette furnishes the following
opportune article to show the dissimilarity
between the present movements in South
Carolina, and that Familiarity termed Shays'
hs,nrecti9n, which occurred in Massachu.
,tts in 1856.
SHAYS' INSURRECTION.
The Sbays Insurrecton, in Massac husetts,
has been frequently alluded to, of late, as
afording parallel to the course expected
from South Carolina, But there is in fact,
little or no parity in the case. In Massachu
setts, the instruction was qGelled by The
State Authorities; while, in South Carolina,
il is the State Authorities themselves, who
are leading the iacipient rebellion. Shay had
neither Office nor power to make his inil1-
ence felt, nor talents to delude or guide the
multitude. He attained the rank OF captain
in the army Of the revolution; but he acquir-
ed no laurels in that honorable service, and
Voluntarily resigned bis rank in the army,
and retired 10 private life. before the objects
of the war were achieved.
When peace was proclaimed, the finances
Of the states were In confusion, and the at
fairs of individuals embarrassed. The debt
of Massachusetts alone was 5000, 900 dollars,
and taxation Of course heavy. The number
of debtors was so great, that IN 1852 the
legislature had been reduced +. Tr.ort 70 the
empirical expedient OF an Act, requiring
creditors to receive, in payment for their
debts. cattle and other specific articles of
property, rendered by the debtors. This re.
lief quackery only exasperated the disease,
and the law was suffered to expire in year.
Discontinued debtors then held conventions,
and soon resolved to resort TO Stop Iate inca
sures; they prescribed Sheriffs, Lawyers,
Judges and Courts. The disafftcted sue
ceeded 10 their attempts 10 exclude lawyers
from their seats in the General Courts; still
the Legislature were unable to redress the
6ncied grievances OF the Disconnected. In
the autumn of 1888, the rnalboitents assem-
bed in mul,itudes at the shire towns, and
by force prevented the sitting Of the courts
Of Justice.
Daniel Shass appeared at the head of 20eO
armed men at Springfield, to prevent the
sitting of the Supreme Court. Gen. VIM.
Shepard, however, with 500 men, had pre-
occupied the Court House, and Siays re-
tired. When the Legislature assembled,
an act passed TO suspend the privilege Of the
lIatep. Corpus, and the Governor (Bowdon}
was authorized to arrest by State Warrant
and any seditious insurgent, and imprison
him with out bail or mainprise. Shdys and
| he other nsurgent chieliains marched 70
Worcester and Concord, 20 stop the courts.
The Governor despatched parties OF yo!un-
teer cavalry from Boston into Worcester aud
Ghdesex counties in November aud Job
Slattuck aud several others were arrested
and confined in Boston jail AT this tlne;
there were strong apprehensions that the re-
bel forces would march to Boston and make
10 libefate these prisoners from Boston Ja,i.
Shays exclaimed with an oath that he would
have done it, had it not been for that county
q EsSer Essex was almost the only coun
ty that was perfectly loyal and uniniected.-
In old Hampshire, Shays, with 800 OF his
followers, took possession of the Court House
at Springfield, and prevented the sitting OF
TIE court.
The Governor, finding the Posse Comaa-
fls was too weak to resist such violence, or
dered a detachment of 4400 rank and file OF
Tue militia to be raised, to be ready to act by
The 18th January, 1897, under Major Gene
tai BENJAMIN Lincoln. A body OF the urhl
fla reached Worcester on the 22d, and the
Court was protected. Gen. Shepard, with
another detachment of the militia, OF 100
men, was stationed at Springfield TO protect
The arsenal. The rebels, under Daniel Shdys,
Luke Day, and Eli Parsons, soon gathered
force in that vicinity, of COCO men, and on
the 18th Of January advanced IN menacipg
banner towards the arsenal. Gen. Shepard
sent ali aid de camp TO inquire the design OF
Il movement, and to warn Shays oil ms
Danger Tie answer was, that they tc0hd
hare possession of the barracks; and they I'M
mediatey marched 10 within 250 yards OF the
senal. They were again warned that II
they approached nearer, they would be hreu
On: still they advanced. Gen ordered TWO
Shots 20 be fired over their heads: stu they
advanced. He then ordered the artillery 10
Ne pointed at the centre Of their column
The cry Of murder then arose from the w
surgenls, and the whole We're struck with
Panic and confusion. Shops lost all control
over them. and thew fed precipitately, 10
niles laavin0 three dead and one wounded.