Smyrna times., 1894-02-21

their use, or they make for ours. But
let them not think to exclude us from
going to other markets, to dispose of
those commodities which they cannot
use, nor to supply those wants which
they cannot supply. Still less, let it be
proposed, that our properties, within
our own territories, shall be taxed or
regulated by any other power on earth
but our own. The God aohO gaze as
tife, gaze as liberty, at the same time
the hand of force may destroy, but can
not disjoin them them. This, Sire, is
our last, our determined resolution.
And that you will be pleased to inter
pose, with that efficacy which
your earnest endeavors may in
sure, to procure redress of these
grievances, to quiet the minds of your
subjects in British America against any
apprehensions of future encroachment,
to establish fraternal love and harmony
through the whole empire, that that
may continue to the latest ages of
time,is the fervent prayer of all British
America"
Six months later Patrick Henry who
though requested by Mr.. Jefferson had
neglected to present the original draft"
to the Assembly, either because he
"disapprOved the ground taken" or
twas too lazy to read it," supported
resolution to arm Virginia for defence
in words that sounded to his auditors
as the doom of fate" -
IF we wish to be free-if we mean
to preserve inviolate these inestimable
privileges for which we have been so
long cOntending-if we mean not base
ly to abandon the noble struggle in
which we have pledged ourselves never
to abandon, until the glorious object of
our contest shall be obtained-we must
fight II repeat it, sir, we must fight
An appeal to arms and to the God of
hosts, is all that is left US ?"
ut is vain, sir, to extenuate the mat
ter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace
but there is no peace. The war is
actually begun The next gale that
sweeps from the north will bring to our
ears the clash of resounding arms
Our brethren are already in the field
Why stand we here idle? What is it
that gentlemen wish? What would
they have? Is life so dear, or peace so
sweet, as to be purchased at the price
of chains and slavery? Forbid it, AL
mighty God-I know not what course
others may take; but as for me, give
me liberty, or give me death"
In 1775 Thomas Paine in his Com
mon Sense" showed that the alternative
for slavery was independence. The tell
Ing arguments advanced in this PAM
phlet helped much to pave the way for
the popular approval of the Declara-
ton of Independence, a measure which
says Jefferson, had up to July 1775,
never yet entered into any persons
mind" This mastery, irresistible
performance" wrote Charles Lee to
Washington "cOnvinces me of the
necessity of separation" While Wash
ington himself declared that "a few
more such flaming arguments as were
exhibited at Falmouth and Norfolk.
added to the sound doctrine and un-
answerable reasoning contained in the
pamphlet Common Sense" will not
leave numbers at lose to decide on the
propriety of a separation" At last the
separation came. Probably on account
OF his "happy talent for composition"
Mr.. Jefferson, then a member of Con-
gress, was made the chairman of
committee to prepare Declaration of
Independence. For the same good
reason at the request of his associates,
he prepared formal draft which after
one or two slight changes made by
John Adams and Dr. Franklin, was
presented to the other members of the
committee, and, meeting with their
approval, was thence reported to Con-
gress, where after much debate it was
finally adopted without a single alter
alton.
Other names besides those of Patrick
Henry and Thomas Jefferson were
made illustrious by the patriotic
elOquence of those who bore them.
James Otis, John and Samuel Adams,
Josiah Quincy, Alexander Hamil-
ton, John Jay, and James Madi-
son-these are names of which the ma
ton to-day is proud. Indeed what Mr..
Webster said of Jefferson and Adams
might be said with truth of these their
ancient friends and rivals: ITO their
county they yet live, and live forever.
They live in all that perpetuates the
remembrance of men on earth: in the
recorded proofs of their own great
actions, in the offspring of their intel
lect, in the deep engraved lines of pub
lie gratitude, and in the respect and
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