The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-12-27

J.H.
Shay's Rebellion.
Only once in the history Of the Unite'
States has a formal and organized rebellion
existed; only once have armed men resistet
the execution of the laws for any protractet
period. or endeavored permanently to thwar
legal officers in the prosecution of theil
functions. Even then no idea Of overturn
ing the Government, or Withdrawing from
its support was entertained. In 1856, three
years after the close of the War OF Inde'
pendence. there broke out in Massachusetts,
what is known in history as Shay's Rebellion
1t was caused by the miserable condition Of
public fe~ing prev alent in many States i'm.
mediately after the wal; the poverty and
exhaustion Of the country being only the
natural consequence Of such great and
general upheaving as the nation had passed
through.
The rebellion was begun by Conven-
ton. the members of which complained in
addresses to the State population. and in Pc
titions to the Legislature. setting forth their
grievances. Prominent among these were
, the exhortations Of the lawyers. the sristo-
cratic character Of the State Senate, the
sessions Of the Legislature in Boston, and
especially the specific taxes conceded to
Congress to pay the interest on the Federal
debt. Tue last mentioned was the only
subject Of complaint to which could possibly
be given a national significance The entire
insurrectlon was directed exclusively against
the State authorities. The convention met
in the spring of 1856. and urged no active
measures, bat was followed Immediately by
the uprising of several hundred men, who
Il licno cd ho nf inc in
parts Of the State. The high handed pro-
ceeding was repea'ed. aud more addresses
issued. till nearly one-third of the inhabi-
tants Of Massachusetts either wers compiica.
ted in the rebellion or sympathised with its
progress. No definite aim seems to have
been proposed by the mobs Of armed men:
they merely took this means of indicating
their dissatisfaction, anticipating redress.
The Governor and Legislature at first ac-
ted with great leniency, and Throughout, the
insurrection with admirable judgment and
circumstances The Legislature took into
consideration the matters complained OF.
and attempted to remedy some of them, but
the insurgents were encouraged by the i'm
punity they met with, and refused to be |
contented with the response to their de- I
mands. They continued to prevent the sit |
tings of the Courts; they assembled in large
numbers; they threatened Boston itself, and
finally compelled the Governor to call out
the milid.. This was put under the control
of General Lincoln, and some four thous-
and men marched to Worcester, where two
thousand of the malcontents were collected;
the latter attacked the militia, and were at
last fired upon. the first discharge was iii
-ected over their heads. and the second, by
which three were killed and one wounded.
Il III ~
subsequent movements took place at inter-
walls during nearly year. the militia re-
peatedly scattering the rebels. who seemed.
however, persistent, knowing they did
shat even in the Legislature were those who
sympathised with them. Some fed to the
neighboring States, but New York, Connec-
,icut, and New Hampshire promptly assis.
ted upon being called upon) in arresting
he !ugitives. Rhode Island and Vermont
were more backward
During the continuance of the rebellion.
the general election took place, and a new
Governor and Legislature came into power.
The rebels seemed to have hoped much
rom this change. but the new Legislature
were quite as determined as its predecessors.
The Hebeas Corpus act. which had been
suspended, was not enforced, and various
other strenuous measures remained in full
force. The fact apparently Gisheartened
the insurgents, and they began to seek for
indemnity aud pardon for their acts. In
demnity had been offered at the beginning
of the rebellion, but the government now de-
clined making terms with those who remain
ed in arms and by degrees the insurgents
in various parts of the country were induced
to submit; the leaders baving been mostly
taken prisoners, and as many as fourteen
condemned to death The sentence, how
ever. was not executed in single instance.
although several remained year or two in
confinement. Not great many lives were
lost in any of the engagements. probably
never SO many as six at one time, and per-
haps not two score in actual fighting during
the year or year and half which the re-
bellon may be said to have lasted. The
mass of people who had risen were allowed
to return to their homes and be- ond being
disqualified foa year or two from serving
as jurors or holding office. suffered no pun
ishment The len'ency Of the authorities
was doubtless the great cause of the COM
plete suppression of the rebellion. The
principal object of the people. or at least
those which were most ostensible. were not
fully attaine
The only action taken BY the national
authorities during these troubles, was that
Congress voted to enlist 500 men to sup
port the Government of Massachusetts,; but
the insurrection was suppressed before the
troops were raised A specisl requisition
of half q million of dollars was also made
upon the States for the support of these
! troops, but of course was not needed.
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