The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-12-16

The Boston Tea Party.
To-day, December 10th 1873, will be cele-
brated all over the country as the centennial
anniversary of one Of the most important
events, Judged by its results, which has &C.
CURED in the history of two nations in two
centuries-the Boston Tea Party. Under the
early British colonial policy, it was
the purpose of that Government to
use their colonies solely, for the purpose OF
enricbing the mother country. Accordingly
the colonies were to be taxed at pleasure,
the colonists were not allowed to manu-
facture goods that came in competition with
home production and the idea of allowing
these dependencies to be represented in
Parliament was regarded by England's ruling
classes as demand so preposterous as to be
answered only by derision.
The Stamp Act of 1895 met with such de-
termined opposition in America that the
Ministry securing its enactment was over
thrown, and was succeeded by the Rocking
ham Ministry which secured its repeal in 1766.
But the year following Rockingham was de-
feated and William Pitt, then Earl of Chat
ham, and suffering under the infrmities OF
age, became Premier, and brilliant man of
hasty temper named Charles Townshend was
Chancellor of the Exchequer. 1t is said that
In the debate George Greenville, who was the
proud father Of the Stamp Act and never got
over his anger at its repeal, tainted the mini
istry with being afraid to tax America. The
hasty Townshend could not stand this and
hurled back: IT dare tax America" The
House applauded and in May, 1857, he
brought forward his measure to impose du-
ties on painters colors, paper, glass and tea
imported into the country. Lord North's
ministry followed and in ITO, bill was
passed repeating the duties ON all the articles
named above except tea, ali the effort of the
liberal leaders in Parliament to have this
herb made free article OF commerce being
of no avail. Upon this article duty Of
three pence pound was imposed. The East
India Company, then doing all the trade, de-
sired the Government to put an export duty
Of sixpepce pound on tea, but their en-
treaty was useless. Lord North vas bent on
showing that the British Government had a
right to tax the colonies and possessed the
power to enforce that right. At that time
Great Britain was nationality going about
the world with chip on its shoulder, and a
challenge to knock it off 10 its mouth.
This action of the home government
rouse the feelings of the colonies which had
been quoted by the repeal of the Stamp Act.
1t was not the tax to which our fore
fathers objected, for in the whole country it
would produce a revenue of only e35. 900,
but the principle involved, viz:-taxation
without representation. Lord North was
anxious TO test the question; so number of
vessels loaded with tea were despatched to
the chief ports of the colonies-Charleston
Philadelphia, New York and Boston. OF
this fact the patriots of Boston were apprised
more than month before the vessels arrived,
and on the Bird of November, 1773, the inhab-
itants of the five towns asked the consignees
and agents appointed for the sale of the tea
not to receive it, but send it back to England
They refused either to resign or comply with
the demands of the freemen. Meeting after
meeting was held, for the colonists were as
determined 10 resist the British ministry, as
1t was to enforce its unjust demand. The
lost nothing of its firmness or stubbornness in
its conflict with the stern forces of nature
and Indian foes.
The first tea ship, the Dartmouth, arrived
November 2Sth, and though it was Sunday,
q public meeting was held and the consignee
made to see that the vessel should return
with an unbroken cargo. The other vessels
arrived about week later. December 18th,
= meeting was held in the Old South at which
the consignee was directed to obtain clear
ance, and the meeting was adjourned to the
10th, at which time the cargoes would be
confscated, If not previously landed. Before
that time attempts had been made to induce
the collector of the port to grant permits for
the vessels to leave but after long delay, he
refused, and late in the afternoon of the 10th,
Governor Hutchinson informed large pub
lie meeting that the vessels would not be al
lowed to depart. Then Samuel Adams said !:
"This meeting can do nothing more to save
the country" Then the ''Mohawks' were
equipped and, lead by men we'll known in
the later struggle, repaired to Grifin's wharf,
boarded the three vessels, threw overheard
342 chests of tea, destroying it in the most
thorough manner but touching nothing else.
The work done, they marched home to the
Yankee music of fife and drum.
Such was the Boston Tea Party. and such
the first resistance of the colonies to the
British government which led to long and
bloody war and probably saved America from
the present fate of Ireland.
The principle invoived-taxation without
representations yet an issue in this coun.
try; and several associations of women in
Massachusetts, will hold tea parties in order
to remind those who make our laws, that
North. There is certainly too good grounds
for the charge, so long as the property of
women is taxed without giving them the
right Of suffrage. Let us hope that long ere
the bi-centennial anniversary comes about,
this right will be granted.
line people OF Portland are called upon by
the Soldiers Monument Association, to cele-
brate this most notable national ami
versary by meeting tonight in City Hall,
and to forward by their contributions the
purposes of the Association. Either of
these-the building of monument to
commemorate the deeds of the men who
died to save the nation, or the centennial an
niversary of the day which OR forefathers
signalized by their opposition to tyranny
should call out such an assembly as the walls
Of City hall rarely contain. We are con
fdent that our people so fully appreciate the
object and the occasion, that any appeal al
this time, will be both idle and presumptuous.
For the monument thirty thousand dollars
are required; let good beginning be made
At City Hall TONIGHT!
HE general opinion of the press is, that
Rev. Mr.. Hepworth in his speech at the New
York Cuban meeting, "opened his mouth and
put his foot in it," The instances are rare
when minister of the gospel of peace is war
ranted in talking about sending messages to