Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-08-11
JAMES OTIS.


those OF the Revolution American liber-
ty however, is due quite as much to those
men who fought for principles in legisla-
tive halls and courts of Justice as to those
who so nobly fought upon the tented
field. 1t may be doubted whether MANY of
our young and active politicians overheard
OF James Otis; or, if they have heard his
name, whether they knew anything Of
his history. Mr.. Otis was the most prom,
inent opponent Of the mother country in
her attempt to tax the colonies They
had existed for $50 years without any for
mai assessment of taxes. 1t is true thew
bore most Of the burdens of the numer-
Gus wars with the Indians, and those last
four French wars, to wit "King Will
liam's War" from 1890 to 1897 "Oueen
Anne's War;" from 1902 to 17l3 "King
Georges War;" from l744 to l74S, and
"the old French War, which wrested from
France nearly all the colonial possessions
on this continent. This last contest last
ed from l756 to l763.-The taxes for the
support of all these wars were self-impos-
ed. The colonies fought in defence Of
Their homes and for the honor of the
mother country. But they had ever re-
sisted any attempt to tax them directly
or indirectly by the English Parliament.
As early as 1916, a century before .Jeffer-
son penned the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, the General Court of Massachusetts,
resolved, THAT the English1 acts of
navigation are an invasion to the rights
and privileges Of the subjects of his Maies-
tY IN this colony, they not being repre-
sented in the Parliament" Thecolonists.
therefore, were educated with the notion
that taxation and representation are einsep.
able. The British Ministers knew this,
hence they resorted to oindirect taxation
by duties, customs, and imports. These
rules OF trade were rigidly enforced by the
royal officials at Boston. The burden fell
first on the merchants, next on the GUS
toners. All were reused to assert their
rights. Mr.. Otis dared to defend the mer
chants, and thus beard the lion in his den.
More important cases soon followed. II
had been for some time the practice of Of
hcers OF the custom to enter warehouses.
and even dwelling.houses, without legal
papers, to search for contraband GOODS
The people became indignant, and the Of
iicials armed themselves with the authori-
ty OF Kings eXchequer, in the form of
"Wrts Of Assistance These too, were
resisted, and the offending merchants
were arraigned, before the Kings Court. !
james Otis was then Acknowledgement"
for the people of the province, and was
called upon to argue the case for the |
Government. He declined to do So and !
took the part of the merchants. The
cause was tried l7Gl. On that occasion,
said President Adams. "Otis was flame
OF fire; with prom.tude of classical allu-
sions, depth Of research rapid summa-
ry OF historical dates and events, q profu-
sion of legal authorities, aprophetic glance
of his eyes into futurity, and rapid tor
rent of impetuous eloquence, he hurried
away all before him. American indepen-
dence was then and there born. The
seeds Of patriots and heroes to defend the
Non SIC dis dnimosus 6yaHS, to defend the
vigorous youth, was then and there sworn.
Every man of an immense crowded audi
ence appeared to me to 90 away, as | did,
ready to take up arms against "Writs of
Assistance" This is strong language
penned 10y one 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 admits that the birth of our independ-
ence is due to James Otis. lie gave up
lucrative Office, and became the advocate
of the oppressed from love ofjustice and
liberty. No one now can appreciate the
sacrifices Of such noble souls to gain for
us the privileges which we so quietly enjoy.
On certain occasion Otis, half in earnest,
and halfin jest, enumerated the suffering
he had borne for the common good. lie
belonged to a club that met occasionally
for recreation and mutual improvement.
A certain William Molineux was men,
Der who for several evenings wearied the
company.with complaints of his own
grievances and losses. Presently Otis ex-
"Come, come, Will, quit this sub
ject, and let us enjoy ourselves; also,
have list of grievances will you hear
itH
The club expected some fun, and all
cried out, "Ay, ay let us hear your list" ]
He then proceeded; "a resigned my office
as Advocate-General, which / held from !
the Crown, which produced me two hun (
dred sterling year. In the next place,