The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-07-04

published every Wednesday and Situr-
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THE WEEKLY HERALD is published
every Thursday morning, ct 81 year;
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extra.
NEARLY -FOUR centuries have passed
since Christopher Columbus discov-
cred the continent of America. 1t
may be, as some believe, that be was
not the first European WHO set foot
upon these chores. That matter is Of
little consequence to Us now. The
American people sre free to let this
land bear bis name and be known as
fair Columbis. Wien Columbus re-
turned to Spain, and revealed por
ton Of the knowledge be hsd gained
to the wonder-dazed Spsnisrds. many
hardy and daring adyenturers came
hither in search of the inexhsustibls
riches this country was supposed to
contain. Ferdinand, the King, COM
migsioned several enterprising men,
and supplied them with provisions,
money, soldiers and ships, and sent
them forth to capture the new world
in his name. The result Of this
movement was the conquering of
Mexico by Cortez, the remoEseless
Pizarro overcame Peru, and Almagro
took Chill. Continuing her con-
quests and successes. ambitious
Spain vas not long, in owning the
southern portion OF North America.
mogt Of South America, and the
choicest and most valuable of the
Vest Indies Her wonderful achieve
ments excited the cupidity OF other
European powers, and awoke ether
nations to the importance OF gaining
a footing III the broad western world.
Portugal sat down in Brazil, France
took for her portion some Of the
West Indieg, the mouth of the Mis-
sissippi and Canada; England. not so
great a power as now, put her foot
down upon a portion Of the Atlantic
coast efNorth America. The other
European governments got bold Of
various bits here and there. Next
came a long period Of wars, des-
perate and bloody. First were
those With the natives, then those
among the powers Of Europe in
volviug the ownership of the
colonies, and finally that great,
grand and patriotic struggle for in
dependence, By which We are to-day
free. 1t was in 1873 that the Eng
fish Parliament permitted the East
India Company to transport their
teas direct 10 this country without
paying duties in Englsnd, but With
the privilege Of collecting from the
colonies three pence per pound. For
the next few wears history was made
very rapidly. The mother country
probably thought her sub
iscts 10 the distant land would not
object to the tea tax, because tea was
actually cheaper in Boston than in
London. But q race of treemen had
been growing up in this country.
They were brave, hardy, and spirit
of Independence had long had pos
session of them. They made the tea
tax an excuse to show their
manhood, pride and spirit. They
would not pay the duty. nor would
they buy, sell or drink the tea. At
Charleston the citizens stored it in
damp cellars, where it would soon
spoil. In New York and Philadelphia
the people were equally determined,
but instead of destroying the tea sent
it back to London; but the Boston
ians were always q queer people.
They were mad, and iearfalIy SO, and
one dark night they dumped into the
harbor the contents of $40 chests of
tea. That act FASTENED events some
what. In IVA a Congress OF the
colonies opened in Philadelphia and
sgreed 10 a declaration of rights,
though not upon the terms. That
was the first and one Of the ablest of
American Congresses. The dis
tinguisbed orator and Statesman,
Pit, British minister, said II was the
finest body OF men. intellectually, he
had ever read OF. Tina, Congress was
the dawn Of American liberty, though
its great achievement, the Declare
ton OF independence, The anniversary
of the adoption of which has
come again, was not accomp-
lished until 1776. 1t was in May
of tina! year that the third Con-
gress assembled. Independence
had been talked of among the pee
pie, but ia the Congress it was the
eager topic OF the delegates. On the |
9Th of June, the famous Richard |
Henry Lee, OF Virginia, introduced
the resolution which was the fsunds-
ton of the subsequent Declaration of |
Independence. Here it is:
RESOLVED, That these United Colonies |
are, and of right ought to be, free and |
independent states that they are alb
solved IRON all allegiance 20 the British |
crown; and that ~ political connection
be ween them ana the state Of Great /
Britain is, and ought to be, totally dis
solved. lt
Mr.. Lee, on presenting this resolu-
ton, delivered more eloquent speech
than had been heard in the councils
of the young nation. He fairly cleo
trifed the delegates, and those who
were not already patriots, became so
upon hearing his words. The Discus
sion was continued on June 11tn, and