The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-07-08

DC udCCu tnC pIcllllilHdTleS Vi Ll6 tragic
scene, that resulted in the emancipation of
the enslaved colonies ofthe pilgrim fathers
AS an evidence that 1ohn Hancock was
leading patriot at that time, the first seizure
that was made by the revenue officers, un-
der pretence of some trivial violation of the
laws, was that Of one of his vessels. The
excitement produced by this transaction was
so great, that large number collected to
rescue the property. 1t was moved under
the guns of an armed ship, ready to repel
any attack. But the popular fury rose like
a thunder gust from the western horizon;
they rushed to the onseti brought away the
vessel, razed to the ground some of the
houses occupied by the custom house off
GERS; and burnt, in triumph, the boat of the
collectors. This fire was, for time, smoth-
cred by the mantle of authority, but it was
the fire of Liberty. 1t only required to be
famed by the impolitic oppression, that
eventually blew it into curling flames.
TO prevent the recurrence of a similar
scene, several regiments Of British troops,
with all their loathsome vices fresh upon
| them, were quartered amongst the inhabi-
tants. This was like pouring pitch on a
fire to eXtinguish 1t. The stubborn and
Independent spirits of Boston were not to
be awed into subjection. The consequent
ces were tragical. On the evening of the
9th of March, 1776, party of these SOL
diers fired upon, and killed number of the
citizens, who had collected 10 manifest their
indignation against those they hated more
than they feared, Had an earthquake shook
the town to its very centre, the agitation
could not have been greater. Had it been
smelling before devouring flames, the COM
motion could not have been increased.
The tolling Of bells, the groans of the
wounded and dying, the shrieks of wi
dows; mothers and orphans; the flight of
soldiers: the rush of the inhabitants; the
cry of vengeance, urged on by popular fury;
all combined to render 1t a scene of confu-
sion and horror, upon which imagination
dwells and sickens; beheath which, descrip-
tion quails and trembles; at the sight OF
which humanity bleeds at every pore. II
is commentary, strong and eloquent, Upon
the improperly of quartering soldiers a.
mongst citizens, of maintaining civil law by
military force, and of intruding upon the
Sdnctem Sanctorum of private and domestic
peace.
On the following day, meeting of in.
habitans was held; committee was appoin'
ted, at the head ofwhich was Hancock, in
structed to request the governor to remove
the troops from the town. He at first re.
fused, but finding, under existing circum.
stances, that discretion was the better part
of valor, he ordered their removal. This
with promises that the offenders should be
brought to condign punishment, prevented
further hostility at that time.
The awful and imposing solemnities oi
inteTing those who were killed, was then
attended to. Their bodies were deposited
in the same tomb; tears of sorrow, sympa.
thy, and just indignation, were mingled
with the clouds as they descended upon
the butchered victims; and the event was,
for many years annually commemorated
with deep and mournful solemnity. A Te
Deum and Requiem was chaunted to their
memory, and the torch of liberty was re-
plenshed at their tomb.
At one of these celebrations, in the midst
of the revolution, John Hancock delivered
the address. A few brief extracts will give
the reader some idea of the feelings and SEN
timents that pervaded his bosom, and of his
powers as an orator and a statesman.
Security to the persons and property OF
the governed is so evidently the design and
end of civil government, that to attempt a
logical demonstration of it, would be like
burning taper at noon day, to assist the
sun enlightening the world. 1t cannot be
either virtuous or honorable to attempt to
support institutions, which this is not the