Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-03-02
E v I L s
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
or THE

Then the war which gained the American
Independence, our glorious Revolutionary war,
was wrong!
II was.
Then, sir, tell me this, if you can. Where
would our great prosperous, and happy coun-
try have been at this moment, but for that war
will tell you. 1t would have been more
prosperous, more moral, and happier than it
now is.
You cannot surely believe such an absurdty.
Wonderfully prosperous and happy we should
be, no doubt, remaining TO this hour under the
tyranny of Great Britain
There is your mistake, my friend. You take
it for granted, without examination, that we
could never have freed ourselves from British
/ domination, except by war. Now, l say that
we should have attained independence as eff
fectually, as speedily, as honorably, and under
very much more favorable circumstances, five
had not resorted to arms.
Very we'll: now show me how it could have
been done.
Our fathers might have accomplished this
object, great as it was, merely by taking the
course which the society Of Friends took to
maintain their rights, and by which, though
small and despsed body of men, they compell-
ed the English and American governments to
recognize and protect those rights. This course
consisted of three things. 1st A steady and
quiet refusal TO comply with unjust acquisitions;
3D. public declarations of their grievances, and
demands for redress; and Sd, patient endurance
Of whatever violence was used to compel their
submission.
We have every reason 10 expect that steady
perseverance in course like this will Ultimate
ly succeed, wherever the cause is just. Be-
cause " moral might is always on the side of
right" and because governments compos-
ed Of men, and not of brutes.
Let US suppose, for moment, that our faith
ers had acted in the manner I have mentioned,
and see what the various stages of the process
would have been. In every part the contest,
they strictly adhere to the princi pies above
stated. They carefully refrain from violence,
constantly demonstrate against the oppressive
acts, and persevere in passive resistance
When the taxed tea is brought to their shores,
they universally abstain from the use of it. 1t
the plan of taxation as far as that article goes,
is as completely defeated as it could have been
by violence and robbery. When the stamped
paper is taxed, they carry on their business
without it. This involves great difficulty, incon-
venience, and embarrassment of business. No
matter! They are patriots, and willing to suf-
fer for their country and the evils thus endured
= are infinitely less than the calamities of war.
Ifdirect taxes are laid upon them, they quiet
ly, but universally, refuse payment Their
property is seized and sold to raise the tax.
They patiently submit to this evil, for their
country's sake, and rejoice that it is slight in
comparison with war. Imprisonment insult,
and abuse of every kind, are added to enforce
the oppressive acts of parliament. Still no vi
olence is used, either for defence or retaliation
but petitions, remonsuances, delegations are
multiplied as the occasions for them recur.
When all these measures ale found to fail off
success, they unite in solemn assembly to make
to the world declaration Of their wrongs, and
spronounce their formal separation from, and in
dependence of the British nation. This move
ment excites new and more violent demonstra-
lions Of hostility on the part of the British func
iionaries. The signers ofthe Declaration of In
dependence, and the officers Of the new gov
eminent, are seized and sent to England to
take their trial for high treason. No opposition
is made, no defence attempted by the patriot
leaders. They are ready 10 lay down their
lives In support Of the liberty of their country,
and they rejoice 10 meet thedanger in this form,
in which they can explain and defend their
principles, rather than to submit their cause to