Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-06-29
James Otis.

~, however, Is due quite as much to those
men who fought for principals in leeisla-
tive halls aud courts of Justice as 10 those
who SO nobly fought upon the tented field
II may be doubted whether many of our
young and active politicians ever heard Of
James Gus; or, If they have heard his
name, whether they know anything Of his
history. Mr.. Gus was the most promin-
ent opponent Of the mother country in her
attempt 10 tax the colonies. They had
existed for $50 years without any formal
assessment of taxes. It IS true, they bore
most of the burdens Of the numerous wars
with the Indians and those lasi -four
French wars, to wit: King NiiHam' 5
War;" from 1880 to lG97 Queen
Annc's War from 17U2 10 1913
:. King Georges War" from I7I4 10
I74S, and g. The cid French War, which
Wrested from France nearly all the col
onial possessions on this continent. This
last contest lasted from 1906 to l1G3.-
The taxes for the support Of all these wars
were self-imposed. The colonies fought
in defense of their homes and for the
honor Of the mother country. But they
had ever resisted auv attempt 10 tax hem
directly or indirectly by the English Par
lament As early as 1876, a century
before jefferson penned the Declaration
of Independence, the General Court OF
+ Massachusetts resolved, That the Eng
( lISh acts of navigation are an invasion
TO the rights and privileges of the subjects
of his Majesty in this colony, they not be-
/ mp represented III the Parliament. The
cooltists, therefore, were educated with
the notion that taxation and representa-
ton are inseparable. The British Mn
is,crs know this, hence they resorted 10
indirect taxation by duties, customs, and
/ imports. These rules OF trade were rigid
" enforced bv the rcyai officials Of B0s-
ton. The burden fell first on the merch-
ants, next on the consumers. All were
reused 10 assert their rights. Mr.. Gus
dared To defend the merchants, and thus
beard the hon IN hiS den More import
ant cases soon followed II had been for
some tilEe the practice Of officers of the
customs to enter warehouses, and even
dwelling houses. without legal papers, to
search for conlrahand goods. The peo-
pie became indignant, and the officials
armed themselves with the authority OF
Kings eNchequcr, IN the form OF " " rits
Of Assistance" These, too, were resist
ed, and the offending merchants were ar
raicned before the Kings Court. James
Gus WAS then A. Advocate General for
the province, and was called uIou to argue
the case for the Government lie de
.ciiIed to do so, and took the part ot the
merchants. The cause was tired IA 1fhl.
On that occasion. said President Adams,
. Ons was a fame of fire; with a promp-
titude Of classical illusions. a depth Of
/ research. rapid summary OF historical
dates ard events. a profusIon Of legal au-
thorl''es, prophctic glance of his eyes
INTO fulurl1y, and a rapid torrent of I'M
pcluous eloquence, BE hurried away aH
before him. American independence
was then and there horn. The seeds Of
patriots and heroes to defend the Non
sine du5 anImosus iufans TO defend the
vigorous youth, was then and there sworn.
Every man Of an immense crowded audi
ence appeared to ne to so away. as did,
ready to take arms against WINS of As
s.sfauce.' THIS Is strong language pen
ned hV cue who surveyed the whole
ground and who has been STYLED by JEFF
ferson the = Colossus of debate" on the
floor Of the Continental Congress. But
he admins that the birth Of Our Iudtpeud-
euce Is due 10 James Gus. lie gave up
a lucrative Office, and UeCame the adro-
cate of the oppressed from a love If Jus-
ice and liberty. No one now can appre-
ciate the sacrifices Of such noble souls to
gam for % the privileges which we 70
quiela enjoy On certain occasion
DUS, halt IN earnest half IN Jest. Cnuni-
Grated The euherInos he had borne fer
the Commob good. lie belonged 10 club
that met occaa aIonally for recreation and
mutual improvement. i certain " ijilam
Mol neux was a member who for sever
al evenings wearled The company w'ih
c7rpla nts Of his own gric'anc,sand less
es. Presently Otis exclaimed, " Come
come, Will quit this subject, and let as
enjoy ourselves; | also. have a rs. Of
grievances, viii YOU hear il
The club expected some fuu, and al
cried out, A. ay! le, US hear ycur
list" He then proceeded: Il resigned
the cffice q A5,ocate- General, which /
held from the Crown. which produced mr
two hundred sterling year. In the mex
place, have been obliged 10 relinquish
the greatest part Of my business at the
bar. In the mex, place have lost = hun
dred friends, men Of the first rank for
tune, and power n the province. and have
made thousand enemies. among whom
are the Government, the province. and
the nation. Though l love pleasure. ]
have renounced all amusement for ten
years | have ruined as fine health and
as good a constitution of body as nature
ever gave to man. Once more, said
Gus, holding his head down before MOI
ineux. look upon this head (where was
a scar IN which man might bury his fing
err What do you think of this And
what is worse, my friends think ! hare d
1 monstrous crack IN my skull"
/ Then setting up merry laugh, all the
company joined with hlm. and passed the
rest Of tie evening IN good hunor. Bot
at this very moment, the approaches Of