Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-11
OUR INDEPENDENCE.
The Events Leading to the DecIsra-
tiOn-Why the Anniversary should
be Celebrated I'm the South.

The following communication, which
was accepted for our issue OF the All, has
been unavoidably crowded out heretofore
| by the press on our columns:
At the begin. ing of the revolutionary
war there was Neither thought nor express
sion of independence. The idea had not
yet suggested itself, or at least was not for
mulated In words. Our fathers, though
Jealous of their rights, yet contented with
their privileges and proud of the mother
country, had no lOngings for separate ex-
istence. This notion of becoming a ration
or even COnfederscy, of throwing off allie
glance to Great Britain as colonies, aud of
assuming Independent rank as a sovereign
power, was very slow of development In
their minds. A long series of assumptions
OF power on the part of Britain, aud much
stubborn resistance on the part of the colo
mics, many bold instances of tyranny and
many obstacles to its exercise, numerous
armed sggressions, and as many manly and
spirited defances, were necessary to pave
the way for the idea OF separate existence
aud independence. Setting up house keeping
for themeelves, the most natural and
speedy means Of escape from the oppres-
sions of the mother country was the
sloWest and last result to which our fathers
arrived. To this point they did not come
aud then only or with much hesitation and
maDv doubts and fears-until the summer
OF 1776. Ten years of threatened and actual
invasion of their rights, months OF heated
contention aud debate, violent animosities
and persistent expressions and rebellions
all had to ierment long and violently before
the clear vision OF independence doomed
up as the star OF hope. The colonists for
years only saw the present, only provi-
ded for the present, only defended
themselves against the present. But their
circumstances and surroundings were dur
H. AIoro .-.,fr.s
ence, and when It came they won It with
skill and vslor, and maintained it with wis
dom aud discretion.
1t would be an interesting subject to study
the history CT this development, and to
learn to whom and IN what degree the idea
of independence owed its first suggestion.
l shall not enter into so difficult and doubt
full q subj sct. The whole public mind, set
to thiDlIing by active aggressions and kept
excited by continuous arbitrary acts of
power, coqld not but be stim4lated to great
and guick changes; and the wonder Is that
these changes did not come faster AMI
quicker. Perhaps Thomas Paine did the
most towards educating the public mind and
preparing the way for the adoption of indie
pendenee by his pamphlet entitled "Com-
mon Sense" which appeared early in 1776.
This, however, was much later than the
earliest germs and first indications OF
the idea. Long before this pamphlet,
which proved so potent an educator
OF public opinion, and prepared the wav
foT the welcome of independence when it |
cane, there wese here a2d there president |
spirits, far-seeing minds, VINO pfognosti- |
Gated the end from the beginning, and who |
iatuitigeiy perceived that the throes of |
such par urition could result only in the |
birth of free and Independent State. OF |
these the prOphet-seer, the man Of genius. |
who predicted the revolution, and the MN |
OF eloquenee who won thu people to its |
support, was the forest-bOFn Demosthenes-
Patrick Henry. To the native eloquence of /
genius he added the prophetic vision Of a |
Eeer, aud 1t Is to him, believe, that are due |
the nFst clear and unolouded vision Of indie |
pendenee and the first prophetic description /
OF its coming.
As Mr.. Writ says "Long before a whis-
per of independence had been heard in the
land he had looked through the whole of
the approaching contest, and saw with his
eye and the rapture of q prophet his coun-
try seated aloft among the nations Of the
earth"
Early in 1773 Mr. Henry was asked wheth.
er he supposed Great Britain would drive
hes colonies to e-tremit.es. and IL ehe
should, what he thought would be the issue
OF the war. He replied! "She l5lN drive US
TO extremities; no accommodation i0H take
place; hostilities 1CW soon commence, and a
desperate aud bloody touch It will be-"
He was then asked whether he thought
that our infant nation, without arms, ships,
discipline or money, could oppose success
fully the 1eets ana arIlies OF Great Britain.
Henry replied: 81 will be candid with you,
doubt, II alone,we can cope with so power