The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1865-06-07
American Rebellions.

rebellions which have occurred in the United
States:
Before the gigantic rebellion that is but now
subdued there have been six lnsurrectons
or so-called instructions, or attempted 1nsur-
rections since the formation of the Federal Gov
eminent Some Of these outbreaks, or attempted
outbreaks, were rather riots, or bloodless demon
strations of popular discomfort; but they are
generally called instructions, and it is sufficient
for our present purpose to SO consider them.
What is popularity known as Shay's rebellion
is the first instance of organized resistance to
lawful government in the United States. In
1885, Daniel Shay a citizen of Massachusetts,
became the leader of party of malcontents in
the Old Bay State, which had organized to right
such grievances heavy State taxation, the
high salary of the Governor the aristocratic ten
denotes of the State Senate, and other similar
local grievances. It was entirely family quar-
rel, and the State troops settled the difficulty by
killing three of the insurgents and wounding
others. Shay and some Of his fellow insurrec-
ZIONIST were captured and subsequently tried,
convicted and sentenced to death; but all
were finally pardoned, and thus ended Shay's
rebellion.
The Whiskey Instruction in Pennsylvania,
toward the close of the administration of Presi-
dent Washington, was more formidable out
break. 1t arose from discomfort caused by the
heavy excise tax imposed by Congress upon dis
titled domestic spirits This instruction ended
without bloodshed, and, if we mistake not, a
namesake and ancestor of the present rebel Gen
eral Robert e. Lee held prominent command
in the troops semitic enforce obedience to the laws
of the United States.
Burr's enterprise, in 1907, the precise meaning
of which has never been clearly made out, but
which is believed to have been the intended in
vasion of Mexico and the formation of a great
Southwestern empire, was the next revolution
airy movement In that case no overt act OF
treason was committed, and the trial of Burr in
Richmond, resulted in an abandonment of the
prosecution by the government, and acquittal of
the accused. aat au
- Notification in South Carolina in 1882, was in
its effects, q more mischevous revolutionary eff
fort than either of those that had preceded it, but
in this case there was no bloodshed, no overt act
of war, and no punishment inflicted upon any
of the leaders. 81 SOS 1ln @ ta a
DORIS rebellion in Rhode Island nearly or
quite quarter of a century ago, has frequently
been referred to by Southern rebels, along with
Shay's rebellion, the Whiskey Insurrection and
Burrs fiasco, by way of excuse for secession, the
main actors in all these movements being north
ern men. But there is no parallel among any OF
the cases spoken of. Dorr found Rhode Island
governed by an old charter granted the State by
Charles H., as far back as 1868. He agitated its
repeal, and upon popular vote its abrogation
was ordained and he elected governor upon
the reform ticket. Governor King and the char
ter party which he led refused to recognize the
act of the people, claiming that the charter was
perpetual and unalterable, that it could not be
amended or repealed, and armed resistance was
made to the Dorrites. John Tyler, then acciden
tai President sent United States troops to aid thu