The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-12-19

existed when that declaration was put forth.
TIE colonies did mot want for the cooper
aion" Of al sheir sister colonies before thy
Proceeded, ssparatsly add alone, By TIE
Let of secession, to separate themselves from
the Empire Of Britain. Each COLBY acted
for ITSELF and separately. Long before the
common declarsfion Of Undergraduate, says
Botta, asome had already anticipated it,
and, assuming the powers .ef goyernment,
had created institutions independent OF the
crown, and those no longer temporary, as at
FIRST but stable, and subject "a no'lnuitation
of time Of Of condition. Thus Virginia and
soufh cmoiina had proceeded. Connecticut
and: Rhode Island needed 40 chahge since
there, from the earliest times, every author
ity originated in the people, by whom all
public officers were chosen. as well those to
whom were Entrusted the Legislative, as those
who exercised the executive powers. Mary
land; Pennsylvania and New York, hesitated /;
but at length yielded to the necessity Of the
times.s Some Of the other colonies. how
ever, held back, and instituted no new gov
ernments until after the 4th Of July, 177e ;
being restrained by the number and infu-
encc of the loyalists within their limits, just
as some Of the border slave States are now
embarrassed blythe Black Republicans, open
and unavowed, who are anxious TO pass un-
der Northern rule. All our readers are
aware that the people of North Carolina, in
May, f775, formally announced their separa-
ton from. Great Britain and there is no
doubt that the most serious error committed
by the colonists consisted in their waiting,
year after year, for mutual cooperation
Let us, at least, profit by the mistakes Of
our predecessors. ~ - ''"' ''' 0''''
The men Of the Revolution were opposed,
and delayed, and thwarted, by those who
used. precisely such arguments as are to-day
employed by the Union-savers Of the South.
John Dickinson, of Pennsylvania, said, in a
speech upon the subject Of colonial indepen-
dence, Il dare say that my opinion will be
shared by all impartial and moderate citi-
gems, who consider this tumultuous proceed
ing, this attempt to coercc our opinions, and
to drag us with so much precipitation to the
most serious and important of decisions
If Mr.. Dickinson were still living, and an
advocate Of the wait-awhilc policy, he would
only have to repeat his old speech. But he
not only inveighed against the 'indecent
haste of those who thought ten years was a
period long enough to enable men to make
up their minds upon a question involving
their rights and liberties he was also as
doleful prophet of evil, almost, as the
vicksburg Wing, and, we doubt not, as fully
inspired as any croaker in the ranks Of the
entire submission pack. at" said Mr..
Dickinson, sin rendering ourselves indepcn-
dent of England supposing, however, that
we should be able to effect it, we might be
so at the same time of all other nations, ]
should applaud the project; but to change
the condition of English subjects for that Of
slavery to the whole world, is a step that
could only be counsellcd by insanity. II
you would reduce yourselves to the necessi-
ty of obeying, in all things the mandates OF
supercilious France, who is now kindling fire
under our feet, declare yourselves indcpcn-
dent. If to British liberty you prefer the
liberty of Holland, of Venice, of Genoa, OF
of Ragusa, declare yourselves independent. u
Our fathers, however, did not believe in Mr.
Dickinson, and were not alarmed by his vat
donations, any more than the descendants Of
our fathers are frightened by the absurd talk
of those timid creatures who, in these latter
days, have succeeded Mr.. Dickinson in his
Office of forctelling evils that we're purely
imaginary. .s'' is