The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-07-02
WHY WE CELEBRATE.
WE FIRST HELPED ESTABLISH BRIT.
lsH GOVERNMENT IN AMERICA.

son of Burdensomo TAXATION ana Othef
Things, the Colonists SGT Up a National
, standard Of Their Own.
In 1853 the peace of Fontainebleu was
signed. The French had been driven
from the American shores and England
eheathed the sword of conquest.
The passage of the Stamp Act" in
1894 incensed the colonists and called
forth that patriotic burst Of eloquence
from Patrick Henry which afterward
became so renowned. Washington felt
the approach of the gathering war
cloud, and returned to Mount Vernon
from the House Of Burgesses filled with
gloomy forebodings. The British Gov.
ernment became alarmed at the temper
Of America, and, rs q matter Of concili-
alton, repealed the "Stamp Act" This
was in March, 1865. But tho tax on tea
and other merchandise followed, and
two regiments of English regulars were
sent across the water to intimidste the
colonists. This was adding insult to
injury. The Virginia Assembly de-
nounced Parliament for imposing taxes
without allowing representation, and
bold resolves were made, declaring that
the taxing pow should be vested alone
ia the colonists. Lord Botetort, the
now Governor, who had set up his
court in great splendor in Virginia,
heard Of these daring denunciations.
He summoned the council to his audi
sncs chamber, and, in naughty man.
ner, dissolved the State Assembly.
They then convened In private dwell
ing, and at this meeting Washington
presented draft Of an association to
discountenance the use of all British
merchandise taxed by Parliament to
raise revenue In America" Every
member signed 1t, and printed copy Of
the draft was scattered broadcast over
the country. 1t was everywhere APP
plsuded. Non. Importation Associa.
tions' sprang up in all the colonies.
British commerce felt this action, and
petitions from British merchants, for
ths repeal Of the taxes, poured into
Parliament. Lord North, at this time
Engiand's Prime Minister, removed the
importation duties on all articles except
tsa- That, he said, must be continued
the mother country"
Thus events drifted forward, bring
ing in their wake the birth throes of
great nation. The Boston Tea Party,
disguised as Indians, boarded the Eng
lish ships at night and emptied the tea
chests into Boston harbor. In return,
insulting DEGREES were Illuminated from
the throne, declaring that Massachusetts
should no longer have voice in the
selection of her rulers, and that the
port at Boston should be closed. In
Virginia tho House of Burgesses was
broken up by Lord Dunmore, the Colo
nial Governor appointed by the crown.
Public indignation against these tyr
snnies famed forth everywhere. Let
ters came from Boston to Williamsburg
recommending league Of the colonies
and the suspension Of trade with Eng
land. The day on which the Boston
Port Bill" was to be enforced was OBJ
served with fasting and prayer. Flags
wsre at half mast and funeral bells
were tolled. The colonists became
rapidly convinced that nothing would
satisfy the cruel despotism of George
the Third save their slavish submission.
This could not be given.
And so the war crisis approached
nearer and more near. Patriot brows
grew thoughtful and patriot hearts reg
oluto as the danger defined itself. The
first Continental Congress met in Phila-
delphia, September 5, 1774, and Wash
ipEton was delegate from Virginia.
de had come there on horseback from
Mount Vernon in company with Patrick
Henry and Edmund Pendleton. In that
time of sublime fusion of souls, when
all were drawn into concerted action by
common, heroic purpose, no one,
among that distinyl lished assembly OF
great minds, exhibited loftier patriot
ism, nobler enthuc ciasm, or more self
sacrifcing spirit than the country's
future beloved Gen raj. 49,.
1T is useless" said Patrick Henry at
the Richmond convention, ito address
further petitions to the British
Government, or to swait the effect of
those already addressed to the throne.
We must fight l repeat it, we must
fshtl An appeal to arms and to the
God Of hosts is all that is left u.s."
The question which now swept
Congress and lowered with anxious
portsnt on all lips was "Who shall be
oemmander-in. chief of the united
aruriesY'
John Adams had the honor to first
propose George Washington for this
position, "a gentleman" he said,
whose skill and experience as an
Oaacsr, whose independent fortune,
great talents, and excellent universal
character would command the appro-
baton of all America, and unite the
cordial exertions of all the colonies,
better than any other person in the
Union." The vote, which was given
by ballot, was found to be unanimous
Tor Washington.
He received his commission on the
WITH OF June, and the next day set out
Rom Philadelphia for the army, He
was accompanied by Generals Lee and
Schuyler, and an escort of Philadelphia