The sun., 1897-08-15
m,


schools to the south Of this colony.
H.
When wo como 10 consider tho influence ex.
erted by the Covonanters in bringing on the
Revolution and in sustaining It., We are ro-
minded Of tho words Of tho historian Bancroft:
"The first voice publicly raised in America to
dissolve all connection with Great Britain camo.
not from the Puritans Of New England, nor the
Dutch Of New York, nor from the planters Of
Virginia, but from the Scotch Irish Presby-
terians.' At the time tho great events OF the
Revolution were unfolded. the Covenant
ors were regarded by Tory and Episcopalian
writer's as the chief authors OF the insurrection-
ary movement. Tho charge that "the Amcri-
can war OF independence was Presbyterian
and Scotch.Irish war;" was made at the timo by
the friends Of the Grown, and contcmporaneous
history goes far toward supporting 1t. Mr.
Galloway, q conspicuous advocate OF the royal
government, ascribcd the Revolution mainly to
the agitation OF the Presbyterian clergy and
laity, which had begun as early as 1894. An
other monarchfst OF tho same period wrote thus:
"You will have discovered that l am no
friend OF the Presbyterians and that l fix oil
the blame OF these extraordinary proceedings
on them" What united tho Covenanters with
tho Congregationalsts Of New England in do.
termined opposition TO tho acts Of the British
government previously to the Declaration OF
Independence was the early declared intention
Of Episcopacy In the colonies. Little
has been said by historians this point, yet 1t Is
probable that the proposal to Introduce Bishops
into America did more than anything else TO
bring the religious sects together in opposition
to the English government. John Adams said
that at was in discussing this subject that the
colonists we're first led to question tho suprem-
of hi In hia b0o m
the reign of George III. nscribes the unity of
sentiment and of action in the American Pres.
byterian Church, and the momentum given by
IL to the cause OF independence largely to tho
establishment of an annual Synod in Philadel-
phia where, he says. "all general affairs. polit-
ical rs we'll as religious. were debated and de-
cidcd. From this Synod orders and de-
crecs were issued throughout America. and to
them ready and entire obedience was paid.
. BY this union party was prepared to dis
play their power by resistance. and the Stamp
law presente ed itself as favorable subject OF
hostility"
1t is certain that. on Juno 4, IVA. the Cove
nanters OF Hanover county, Pa. denounced in a
public meeting the action of Great Britain as
ubiquitous and oppressive" and declared that,
in the event Of that government attempting
to force unjust laws on US by the strength OF
arms our cause We leave to heaven and our
rifles" On Juno 10. 1774, tho Covenanters at
Middletown, at a public meeting. Endorsed the
resolution previously adopted by the people of
Hanover On May 8, 1775, tho Covenanters OF
Western Pennsylvania at Hannstown. in West
moreland county, and those of Fort Pitt ana Ches-
ter counties. pledged their lives and their for
tunes in favor of the determination Of the colonies
to resist the oppression of the English Ministry.
Significant also is the fact that, in New York.
the organization for promoting the cause OF the
colonies known as the "Sons of Liberty" was
called the Presbyterian Junta" by their enc
mics. In Virginia the Presbytery of Hanover
took the lead for liberty, and dem anded the abo-
lition of the Establishment of the Anglican
Church and the civil equality OF every denomina-
tion. 1t was the Covenanters who sustained Pat
rick Henry and the revolutionary movement in
Virginia. Jefferson. speaking of Henry to Dan
iel Webster, said: " He was far before all in
maintaining the spirit Of the revolution. His
influence was most extensive with the members
from the upper counties. and his boldness ana
their votes overawed and controlled the more
cool or the more timid arstocratic gentlemen in
tho lower part of the Stata." That is to say,
Patrick Henry was supported by the Covenanter
members from the Valley and Piedmont region,
which had been settled by them, while the Cava-
lier members from the Tidewater section held
back. One of the influences back Of Patrick
Henry was the action of the Coyenanter people
of Fincastle county. On Jan. 20, 1775. four
montba b.fore tho atom taken nv the neon,e of
Meck,enburo county n q tho neonle NJ Fin
castle county Va. throueh their Chairman and
,,iniotor nraserted m .adr.s. IN tho CONT
n.ntal Conoress In which after enumeratin1
their privileges as freemen. they said: 1--WE de-
clare that we are deliberately and resolutely de-
termined never to surrender them to any power
on earth but at the expense of our lives" This
patriotic declaration came from the extreme
southwestern part of Virginia, over 400
miles west of Williamsburg, then the
capital of the colony. This locality was
near tho Watauga settlement in North Caro-
lima. which was afterward the rallying point
of the celebrated expedition to Kings Mountain
under Campbell. Sewer. and Shelby. Again on
n m nj tod fo he