The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-07-12
a. 1t was the first of number

new era. 1t was the first of a number
OF brilliant steps that led to the PIN
nacle OF fame, and to the citadel Of
Liberty. The people perceived that
the king was a mere human being,
and, like themselves, liable to err; that
the divine right to rule was usurped
imposition Early ideas respecting
government underwent an entire rev
olution. 1t was perceived that the
king who was the ruler Of the people
was their servant, and the people who,
before, groveledin humble submission
at the feet of kings, recognized that
they themselves were those for whose
benefit governments were instituted;
accordingly the foundation was laid
upon which was established the struc-
ture of civil and political freedom;
the greatest and grandcst structure
the human mind ever devised. <
glimmcring forecast Of these ideas
long ago presented itself, but the way
was long, arduous and bcsct by diff
cuities.
More and more was the divergence
between the Colonies and England.
The latter treated the former with a
harshness and degree Of injustice in
supportabie to mcu reared with a,keen
sense OF she rights and duties Of hui
manity. They opposed the principle
Of supporting the revenues Of Eng
land without q voice regarding them
selves or the application of those rev
enues. Taxation without represen-
tation is tyranny" The colonists
perceived that the chains were being
forged, and that theymust break them
or serve a long period of slavery.
Their manufactures were closed; they
were compelled by the " Navigation
Acts" to purchase only Of England,
sell only to England, and use only
English vessels for conveying their
imports and exports. The horrid form
Of oppression raised its hydra head,
and thus threatened them all with de-
grading slavery.
William Pitt said in Parliament that
"America had no RIGHT to manufacture
nail for d horseshoe" Still the peo-
pie spoke Of England rs the mother
country, spoke OF her as home, but
these ties were being severed day by
day. Large debts had been incurred
by the wars, and England determined
that the colonists should pay them.
Writs were issued whereby a mans
house could be searched for smu9gled
goods. The Americans, believing
every mans house his castle, opposed
this iisgrant abuse. The matter was
brought into court. James Otis, Adj
vocate General, supporting the peo-
pie, said, $40 M dying day ! will OPP
pose. with all the powers and faculties
God has given me, al such instru-
ments OF slavery on the one hand and
yilliauv on the other" Then and
there" said John Adams, 1.-The trum-
pet OF the Revolution was sounded"
It walked nation into glorious exis-
tcnce.
The Stamp Act was the severest
evidence of tyranny, and met with q
deserved resistance. The Assembly
of Virginia made public opposition;
there Patrick Henry introduced reso
lutions denying the right of England
to tax the Colonies. rI
Abiding to the tyrannyof the king
and the fate with which tyrants fire.
ouentlv meet, he said: "C9ser had
his Brutus; Charles the First, his
Cromwell, and George the Third
here shouts Of treason" ''treason."
rose from parts of the audience.
Waiting till it subsidized, he continued:
"may profit by their example. lfthls
be treason. make the most of it,
England was hurting from her
crown the brightest gem with which
it was adorned. Fast was she sever
inr the tie that bound the Colonies to
them in loyal allegiance.
Perceiving that affairs were becom-
ing so bad, she rescinded part OF the
tax, but the Americans were not con-
tending for a small tax, but for great
principle.
1t was determined to crush the Col
onies into submission; to suppress all
aggrieved demonstrations; according
". troops were sent over to force all
into subsection. The Boston massa-
ere was but the premonitory symp-
tom Of the storm to follow.
The first Continental Congress con-
vcned Sept. 9Th, IRA, at Philadel-
,I;a II rroteStaj aTainSt STANDING.