The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-04-15
9istorital.
APRIL, l77e.ls7e.

phe apsoiubc Independence OF the COLONIES
and that event win certainly be the epocl
Of the greatest revolution In the commercl
and politics not Of England only, but O
all Europe. From the prudent eondnct
the courage and the intelligence of tn,
Americans, we may augur that they vii
take care, above all things, 10 give a solit
form to their Government, and, as con
sequence, they viii love peace, and seeI
to preserve it. The rising republic viii
have no need of eonquests to find mar
ket for its products; it will have only t.
open its harbors to all nations"
Thus wrote Turgot, in April, hundred
years ago. He was Comptroller-G Genera
Of the Finances under Louis XVI, Of
France, and the paragraph above cited
occurs in written opinion given by him
upon the question of the British Colonia
war (the war of the Revolution and the
attitude which France should take in re-
lation to the contest. The course which
the French Government adopted of "drif
ted into" in matter, the portentous sig.
ni6eance Of which Turgot was not alone
in perceiving, is familiar to all readers Of
history. All but the British ministerial
party could discern the ultimate conse.
quences of the policy Of their Cabinet
fatal to the integrity Of the British En-
pire; beneficial to the cause Of freedom and
progress in all the world. British subjects
at home realize, to-day, the reflected ben.
e6ts Of the American Revolution. British
colonists are indebted to the revolted col.
onies Of 'T6 for political and commercial
privileges which were, hundred years
ago, unknown to the colonies Of any ma
tion; for colonies then were, as Turgot In
timates, chiefly regarded as forced contri.
butors to the wealth and power Of the
hothci Counaiits.
The "greatest revolution" which the
French statesman predicted, we live to see.
And all the world, by its representative
delegations in Philadelphia, and by the
interest felt in the Centennial Celebration
by the millions whose thoughts will be
directed hither, will this year bear testi.
mony to the truth of Turgot's prediction
The changes in the social, political and
educational aspects Of the world which
the first century Of this Republic has wit
messed entitle our hundredth anniversary
to the recognition of the world. And this
recognition is given with an approach tc
the entire verdict of all nations which ha.
never before been accorded. There is nc
people which does not owe something t
the United States of America for the prac
tical demonstrations of the rights of man
which began to be seriously made in thu
measures adopted by our political fore
fathers hundred years ago.
The signal event of the month Of Apri
in the Continental Congress was anticipa
ted in our March article. 1t was the
opening of the commerce of the colonies
previously restricted to British vessels, t
all nations--Great Britain only excepted
and the prohibition of the importation
of slaves. In military matters there wa,
the great difficulty of suspense and uncer
tainty. II was presumed that the troopI
embarked at Boston would be transported
to New York, and Washington made hi
preparations accordingly. The main body
Of the army were sent to that city, ant
Was1hgton rejoined his command ther,
on the 18th of April. His available fore,
amounted to little more than ten thousant
men. The city, under the veteran Put
nam, was under strict martial law. No
even the citizens were permitted atroat
after the tattoo without the coantersign
The Notifications projected by Lee has
driven the British ships down into th.
lower bay, but Governor Tryon, who wal
with the feet, still kept up a correspon
dence with the royal party. Washington
procured the passage, by the Committe,
Of Safety, Of resolution forbidding al
intercourse with the feet, under sever,
penalties. New York, from its larger pro
portion Of royalists than any other poin
in the colonies, presented the greatest diff
ficulties in its occupation. Possibly, bu
for the encouragement given to the caus
Of the colonies by the evacuation Of Bos
ton and the fact that at this period not
single British seldier had footing on th
soil Of the thirteen colonies, the royal ele
ment in the city might have made il
conquest necessary before its occupation
II was found expedient to arrest the Mayo
Of the city. A conspiracy to kidnap Gen
Washington was detected, and, while
gave the Commander-in-chief new clair
upon the affection Of the people, il too
the force away from any complaint whicl
was made Of martial law. The month q
April was month of waiting May ha
events Of more stirring interest. - Fzi7c
delphia Ledger.
Portraits for Independence Hall.