Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-04-11
The PAST AND THE PRESENT.

u JHc mol nNu III.
4 NORRIS CREEK, Tenn March l6, 81
N. o. Wallace, Esq:
/ DEAR SlR-The perils by whicI
Jour people have been surroundJd'
trust will be 40 adequate apology 10
apparent egotism in thus tbrusllnt
myself before them.
Aterrible political crisisis upon US
and as such it can be regarded in NJ
other light than as the duty OF ever,
patriot in the land, whether he be q
private citizen, or one whose name
is panoplied by the robes OF official
distinction, to Investigate and analize
all The questions at issue, that ou'
career in the future may BE- governed
by enlightened consideration oi JUS
tice.
Our conduct should be governed
|by wise counsels; counsels that will
at least, win for US the plaudits oi our
own conscience, and the approval OF
a christian world. A few facts
cleaned from history, ,ofwhst occurred
before our form Of government bad
an existance, and Of what were the
prime causes which led to a final sep
sration from the British Crown.
would not, think, be Improbable
at this time, if studied and apprecia.
ted by some who are our @ould.be
leaders.
By an examination Of the Declar-
alton Of Independence. it will be
found that all the causes are therein
enumerated, which led to a seven
wears war between the thirteen Col
onies and King Geogre III. And
it is a fac! that should be borne In
mind, that some Of these causes had
been removed by az act Of the Brit
ish Parliament some years before
that memorable Declaration had an
,exis tence. For the yeriieation of
this fact permit me to call your at
tention to history. / quote from
Chambers Information for the People,
vol. 2, page 574-5, which says
THE administration Of Mr.. Grenville
is memorable for the 6Lsi attempt to
tax the American colonies. An act
passed under bis influence (March,
1885, for imposing stamps on those
countries, appeared to the colonies as
a step extremely dangerous to their
liberties, considering that they bad
no share in the representation
They therefore combined almost uni
versally 10 resist the introduction Of
the stamped paper by which the tax
was to be raised. Resolutions we're
passed 10 the various assemblies OF
the States, protesting against the
assumed right Of the British legis'a-
.ure to tax them. Partly by pop
ular violeuce, and partly 5y the dec
larations issued by the local legisla-
tive assemblies, the object Of The
act was completely defeated. The
home government we're then induced
TO agree to the repeal Of The act, but
with the reservation Of right to
impose taxes on the Colonies"
This act, Mr.. Editor, was repealed
in less than two years after its pass.
age, and the historian ascribes it to
the fact that q change 10 the ministry,
from that Of the Marquis Of Rock.
ingham to another ia which MIR. Pitt
held conspicuous place.
Tranquility was again partially re-
stored to the Colonies, but they were
| not permitted to remain quiet long
! for the historian declares:
aAt the suggestion Of Mr.. Charles
Townsend, a member Of the Earl o
Chatham's cabinet. il Was reso!Aed, II
1867, to impose tax on the Amer
cans in a new shape, namely npoI
British goods imported into the col
onies, fof which there was some shoV
of precedent. An act for imposing
duties on tea, glass, ana colours. wal
accordingly passed With little oppesi
ition." - aThe Americans met to-
nev burden With the same violent op
position as formerly" 1t was but
short time until all of this act was re
pealed, except that part of it rela
ting to tea, and it was considerabl..
soltened.
But / will let Mr.. Chambers relat
i the facts. He afirms: "Meanwhile
1.-THE remonstrances Of the America
Icolonies had induced the ministry t