Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-11-15
SHAY,sRERELLIoN.


Only once in the history of the United States
has q formal and organized rebellion existed;
only once have armed men resisted the execu-
tion Of the laws for any protracted period, or
endesvored permanently to thwart legsl ofi-
GERS IN the prosecution of their functions. Even
then no idea Of overturning the Government,
or Withdrawing from its support, was enter
tained. In 1855. three years after the close of
the war of independence, there broke out in
Massachusetts what is known in history as
Shay's rebellion. 1t was caused by the mis-
erable condition Of public feeling prevalent in
many States Immediately after the war; the
poverty and exhaustion Of the country being
only the natural consequences Of such great
and general upheaying as the nation had passed
through.
The rebellion was begun by convention,
the members of which complained in addresses
sh setting form and tns In Rf,iGess s
Prominent among these were the extortions Of
the lawyers, the aristocratic character of the
State Senate, the sessions of the Legislature in
Boston, and especially the specific taxes con-
ceded to Congress to pay the interest on the
only subject Of complaint to which could pos
sibly be given a national significance. The en-
tire insurrection was directed exclusively
against the State authorities. The convention
met in the spring Of 1876, and urged no active
measure, but was followed Immediately by an
uprising Of several hundred men, who dis
persed the courts of Justice in various parts of
the State. This high-handed proceeding was
repeated, and mere addresses issued, till nearly
one-third Of the inhabitants of Massachusetts,
either were complicated 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 acted
with great leniency, and throughout the insur-
rectiOn with admirable judgment and circum-
spection. The Legislature took into consid-
GRAFTON the matters complained of, and at
tempted to remedy some Of them, but the in
surgents were encouraged by the impunity they
met with, and refused TO be contented with the
response to their demands. They continued to
prevent the sittings of the courts; they as
sembled in large numbers; they threatened
Boston itself, and fl ally compelled the Gov
ernor to call out the militia. This was put
under the control Of Gen Lincsln, and some
four thousand 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
directed over their heads, and at the second
by which three were killed and one wounded
they broke and fed in confusion Various
subsequent movements took place at intervals
during nearly year; the militia repeatedly
scattering the rebels, who seemed, however
persistent, knowing as they did that even in
the Legislature were those who sympathised
with them. Some fed to the neighboring
States, but New York, Connecticut and New
Hampshire promptly assisted(u being called
upon) In arresting the fugltives Rhode Island
and Vermont we're more backward
During the continuance Of the rebellion, the
general election took place, and . new Gov
ernor and Legislature came into power The
rebels seemed to have hoped much from this
change, but the new Legislature was quite as
determined as its predecessors The Habeas
Corpus act, which had been suspended, was
not enforced, and various other strenuous mea-
sures msined in full force. This fact appa-
rently dishsartened the insurgents, and they
began to seek for indemnity and pardon for
their acts. Indemnity had been offered at the
beginning of the rebellion, but government
now declined making terms with those who re-
mained in arms, and by degrees the inmr-
gents in various parts Of the country were in
duced to submit; the leaders having been most
ly taken prisoners, and as many as fourteen
condemned to death. The sentence, however,
was not executed in q single instance, although
several remained year or two in confinement
Not great many lives were lost in any of the
engs sements, probably never 30 many as six
at one time; and perhaps not two score in ac-
tual hghting during the year or year and q
half which the rebellion may be said to have
lasted The mass Of the people who had risen
were allowed to return TO their homes and be-
yond being disqualified for year or two from
serving as jurors or holding Office, suffered no
punishment. The leniency of the authorities
was doubtless the great cause Of the complete
suppression Of the rebellion. The principal
objects Of the people; or at least those which
were most ostensible, were not fully attained
The only action taken by the national author.
tiles during these troubles was that Congress
voted to enlist l ,306 men to support the Gov
ernment Of Massachusetts,; but the insurrection
was suppressed before the troops were raised
A special requisition Of half q million dollars
was also made upon the States for the support
of these troops, but Of course was not needed.