Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-06

ened into compliance, different effect was pro-
duced in the other colonies. AbJut this time =
body of British troops were landed in Boston, and
although it was alleged that the troops driven
IN by stress OF weather, yet the people look upon
them as Instruments sent purpasely for carrying
out the obnoxious Acts, and they dets Imined
eanizing for resistance. The Massachusetts, House
of Representatives, accordance with resolution
passed by their body, addressed circulars to the
other cconies, urging cooperation for redress Tie
colonies accordingly pe,itioned the King Their pc.
htien answered by letter from the British
Secretary of State, addressed to til Governor ol
Massachusetts,, directing him to require the Massa
chusetts Legislature to rescind the reso-
luton which authorized circulars to be sent
to the other colonies, and ia the event Of its non
compliance, to dissolve that body. The House re-
fused obedience and was dissolved. The ministerial
mandate to other colonies of the same import met
the same fate. Still the colonists petitioned the
King for redress in the most friendly terms but no
redress was to be obtained, save that which their
strong arms and brave hearts were TO wrest from
the tyrant the field of battle. In September,
lI6S large numbers Of British troops arrived in Bos-
ton and were quartered in Fanueil Hail. The at
tempt to CO lect the customs in Boston the
of numerous and serious riots. Later in the year
more troops arrived in Massachusetts,. and the cti.
zens were completely overawed In l769 Parliament
passed resolutions urging the King to take measures
for the trial and punishment, under the British
statutes, Of all those guilty Of conspiring against
the British Government since December So 1767.
All the colonies protested most vigorously against
the spirit and scope Of these resolutions Time will
not permit to give in detail the many outrageous
demands made by the Government of Great Britain
upon the colonies, and the many flat refusss by the
colonies to comply herewith; OF the many com.
bats and broils which took place between the cti-
zens and the soldiers stationed in their midst,
India Company sent cargoes Of tea, upon which a
duty was 20 be collected, to New York, Phila-
delpbia, Charleston and Boston. New York
and Philadelphia sent the ships, with their
ta. baeE 10 Tba at thor1a
ton stored the tea in damp cellars where the whole
of it was ruined. AT Boston town meeting was
held before the tea arrived and il resolved not
to use any of the tea while the duty was imposed,
and requesting the company not TO discharge any OF
it i'll Boston, When it was found tina. the tea would
not be returned to London, number OF men dis
guised as Mohawk Indians boarded the vessels con-
tanning the tea and threw the whole OF it into the
harbor. Shortly after this important event General
Gage made Governor Of Massachusetts, and COM
mander Of the British forces In America. About
this time, by Act of Parliament, the port Of Boston
was sed The other colonies expressed the warm
est sympathy for Boston and resolved 20 make com
cause with her, Virginia taking the lead pass
ing the celebrated resolutions Of May "a, IVA for
the passage Of which the House OF Burgesses was
dissolved by the royal Governor. Affairs now rap
idly approached crisis. The colonies common scd
preparing for a concentrated resistance. They
did net yet, however, contemplate independence,
but only united action for redress. In July IVA,
notice received in Boston Of the passage Of
Acts, one empowering the Governor OF M1SSacfu-
sets to appoint all the civil officers and by the
other Counselors were to be selected BY the king.
The appointments under these Acts were Of the
most obnoxious characters IN the colony, and large
military force quartered in the colony enforce
obedience to the royal programme. On the 5th of
September, l774 the frs. Continental Congress as
sembled in Philadelphia. All the colonies but one
were represented. Peyton Randolph Of Virginia
was chosen President. They resolved to make com
mon with the people Of Boston in their oppo-
stion TO the late Acts Of Parliament They passed
the celebrated bill OF rights, with which every
American should be familiar. Still hoping for a
peaceful solution Of their differences they again
sent addresses to the King and people Of Great
Britain. They resolved entire non-n.ercourse
with the mother country. They re,o olyed that un
less their grievances should be sooner redressed
they would hold another Congress May 10, 1775
The Cabinet of England determined on coereive
measures, and the preparations for we're prose
cuted throughout the country. Early in l115 Fal
mouth was burned by the British.
The expedition to Canada, under the command OF
the gallant Montgomery, was undertaken later in
the Year. On the 10Th of April the Battle Of Lex.
ington was fought. May 10th, Ticonderoga was
taken. May 18th, Crown Point surrendered June
18th, Washington was appointed Commander in
Chief OF the American Army June 17th the Battle
OF Bunker Hill was fought. March II, 1776, Boston
was evacuated by the British June 2sth, the gallant
defense of Fort Moultrie, in South Carolina, was
made. Now indeed all hopes II reconciliation with
the mother country were at an end and the voice Of
the people was for war. The fires of patriotism
burning brightly in every section of the land
and no sacrifice was counted too great by the
votaries of freedom As beautifully said by the
poet
"They left the ploughshare in the mold,
The fioeks and herds without fold,
The sickle in the unshorn grain,
The corn half garnered on the plain;
And mustered in their simple dress,
For wrongs to SEEK stern redress
To right those wrongs come veal come woe
To perish or o'ercome their foe."
On the 9TH day OF June, in the Continental Con.
gress, Richard Henry Lee. OF Virginia submitted a
rsoluton declaring That the united colonies are,
and ought to be, free and Independent States that
they are absolved from all allegiance to the British
crown; and that all political connection between
them and the State Of Great Britain is, and ought
to be- totally dissolved" On the 1st of July it was
adopted, and committee was appointed to prepare
declaration of independence. The committee Sc
lected Mr. Adams and Mr.. Jefferson as subcom-
mttee and Mr.. jefferson made the original draft,
which, without any amendments, by the whole COM
mttee was reported to Congress, and after under
going several amendments, was adopted by that
body on July 4, 1776
The quartet composed of Messrs. Goodwin
Mcneil, Crandall, Putnam and Freeman,
then sang "Becker's March" accompanied
on the piano by Mrs. 7. H. Berkey. The
audience demanding second appearance OF
the quartet it sang s'The Soldiers Fare
well," and was heartily applauded. Gov
ernor George G. Perkins was then introduced
in the midst Of applause, as the Orator Of
the Day. He spoke as follows:
GRAFTON By GOVERNOR PERKINS.
Fellow Citizens This day, always welcomed so
gladly is not only the memorial day of American
liberty but, stamped with the seal of universal
freedom it becomes the common property Of hu-
Inanity. From the north and the south, the east
and the west, come the songs not of the govern
ments of the earth, but Of the people, ard in this
annual reecho lives their hope for the perpetuatien
of civil and religious liberty. The memories of
this day lift US out of ourselves and surround US
with associations aud thoughts higher and better
than those OF our daily ife We have for the time
put aside the cares and anxietes Of our daily ayo
cations, and with patriotism for our watcnword, we
should make it day for retrospection of the past
for grave consideration Of the present. and for a
glance into the future that We mar assure ourselves
that the course we follow Is the one guarded by
prudence and wisdom. History and experience
both teach us that so long as are anxious about
the future, the future is secure. 1t is only when
men fall into state Of apathy and no longer take
heed Of the morrow that they are in danger.
The great American Republic is like ship sailing
upon an unmapped ocean. No other government
has pursued the same course, and our progress must
continue in the future it has m the past, orig
inal voyage of discovery. Constant watchfulness
danger of shipwreck.
The sovereignty of the Republic is lodged only
with the people, and, as we have no hereditary
guides to each citizen belongs the duty OF observing
longitude and latitude.
Experience has taught us that or people are al.
ways capable OF meeting storms and tempests be
they never so severe. Intelligence and patriotism
has qualified them to cope successfully with all Wis
be evils and dangers, whether in the form OF finan-
cial reyerses, political problems, eoDtending on
the field of battle.
The great danger of republic lies not in open
menace, but in silent transformation of thought
and ideas in the unseen sapping of foundations, in
the unnoticed decay OF patriotism.
Our people will never deliberately renounce the
principles that gave life to the Republic but they
may un onseiousiy drift upon the invisible under
currents of political thoughtlessness and neglect,
and thus lose sight OF the principles and the grand
destiny of the Republic Hence the necessity of
close observation and persistent inspection OF the di
rection and tendency Of public thought. This work
is never difficult if frequently attempted and be-
cnes mpracticable only under prolonged and erinl-
inal neglect.
We have entered the second century of our polit.
iea existence and the time is opportune for critical
examination. We are commencing new era frought
with difficulties and ought to ascertain our ex-
act situation. How fare the great principles
upon which the Republic depends for its ex-
isteuce? Are VIC menaced by doctrines that are
subversive Of republican lnstitutions2 Whittier
are we tending; and what is the great duty of the
hour, that each citizen owes to his country?
Deeply impressed with this thought, may we not
for this time be pardoned il step aside from the
beaten path of custom and. talk together in q
sober, serious, common-sense manner upon the live
questions of the day, accepting that only which
commends itself to our best Judgment and con-
science.
Let us first grasp firmly the ideas that define the
relations existing between the general or State Gov
eliminate from the mind all that viii confuse it in
he discussion