The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-07-31
NJ | S e L l. l. A N Y
STORY Of the REVOLUTION,

In the common cement Of the difficult
ties between the American colonies anC
the parent country many persons were
disposed 10 advocate the cause of Grea,
Britain.
While the most Of those who did so
were actuated by sordid interest, and
the fear ofthe loss Of property, there
were some OF generous feelings who
maintained their allegiance from integri,
ty Of principle and purity OF motive. Oh
the latter class was poor man in the
western part Of Massachusetts, who was
in the habit of attending all the meetings
thai grew out of the expressions and
usurpation of Eng land.
At the same time that he did not at
tempt to Justify the measures OF the Par
lament. he endeavored, in his plain rus
tic way TO palIate them and deprecated
the active measures of the colonies as a
subverson OF all order, aud the lntroduc,
ton Of anarchy and confusion. lie was
a simple hearted man, but eminent for
integrity and love o. truth; so much SO,
that in his own neighboIhood his word
was NoiiSIh0iCu 40 SVou 40 q OuHu'-
therefore, while his arguments against
the resistance ofthe colonies were not
permitted TO weigh a feather in the scale
Of public opinion, his undoubted honesty
of heart exempted him from the hatred
which the 'Tories,' as they were called
at The time, so commonly excited, and
from the exhibition Of that hatred in the
usual forms Of forcibIe ablution, and a
coat Of tar and feathers.
Affairs at length reached crisis
The battles a! Lexington and Concord
reused the people to arms, and the Con
gress which assembled at Watertown c.
solyedto raise thirty thousad troops; and
The business of enlisting and draughting
was Immediately commenced with great
vigor. There was, therefore, no alter
native left for the simple rustic of whom
have been speaking, but 10 take up
arms against Eng land contrary to his
conscience, or join the forces under Gen
Gage. He determined on the latter and
in so doing he experienced all that Bit
terness which is incident to civil war
in leaving his wife and children unprovi
ded for, and to the protection of those
who necessarily would become his enc
mics.
1t was beautiful evening in the ear
ly part OF May. The labors Of the day
were over, aud the father had returned
10 enjoy the home ofrest with his little
family. He occupied his usual seat in
the arbor by the door of his whitewash
ed cottage. Before him we're Two chill
dren play ing on the green grass plat
third lay in the cradle and beside it sal
the mother, watching its slumbers. How
many were the pleasant images of pas
conjugaI appiness and patcrnal love
that memory conjured up in the still
ness Of that soft evening hour! But thu
very recollection o(lhcm caused melan
choly forebodlngs tocast a gloom owe
the spirits. for now they were to be fore
gone for time perhaps for ever.
The hour Of prayer arrived; and Oh
with what earDestness did the paicn
wresie with HEAVIER land ilnplore lis pro
lection for the young and the epless h.
was leaving behind. The parents she,
copious tears from the Overlooking sen
sibilties Of nature, and the children wep
from sympathy, and from an inde6nabl
sensation of evil which they. could no
comp ohcnd. Yet there was relief i
those tears, and the sanctilyins elIicac
of prayer Gained the tumuIt OF the brcas
and poured soothing balm into tn
wounded feelings which was not oflhi
earth.
Tho children were put to rest. rh
father Kissed them allectlonateIy as the
lay smiling in slumber, unconscious O
The bereavement they were about t,
sustain embraced his disconsolate vii,
again, took up his musket, and, adet
by the shades of night, started for lht
royal army, AS he pursued his way tho
moon, that had been obscurcJ, broke
from the surrounding clouds; and on
turning to take look of his dwelling, the