The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-06

absolute independence. For II must be
remembered that actual separation was
an after thought In the minds of many
OF the most earnest and patriotic
Americans. conceived only after war
had begun. The foundation for resist
ance. 20 unjust laws was laid BY pub
lished arguments beginning about "a
decade before hostllitlcs commenced or
the authors who contributed at this
time In educating the people nstto the
duty OF the mother country TO It's colo
NAL subjects to the crown. James Otis
holds first place. In 1862 he published n
pamphlet entitled "A Vindlcatlon OF the
Massachusetts, House OF Representa-
tlves," which was intended as q de.
Tense OF that body in Its controversy
with the governor on the subject OF
taxation were derived. In 176i, the Brit
ish parliament formulated n plan 10
tax the colonies for the purpose OF rails
Ing revenues by laying new imposts on
foreign goods, and In such uct announe-
ed In substance the principle that the
colonies were subject to taxation at the
Will and pleasure, OF the general govern
ment. The passage OF this act brought
from the pen OF Otis a pamphlet cnti-
tied "The Rights OF the British Colo.
nists Asserted and Proved" which "a
regarded as a most powerful appeal for
fair treatment for the colonists and
made a deep impression upon them at
the time. A contemporaneous pubiica-
ton 6y oxenbrldse Thacher, entitled
THE Sentiments OF n British Ameri-
can" argued against the propriety and
right OF the recent enactment imposing
such additional taxation and In en-
larging the powers and privileges OF the
officers OF the crown.
l have alluded to these particular
publications for the purpose OF showing
that ever so early rs 1862. the embers
OF revolution were sm%ouldering In the
minds or Americans. and were being
vigorously famed into flames by the
literary productions OF the period.
There were many publications pre-
senting the views Of the colonists from
lI6f to 17T. written by such authors as
John Adams. Stephen Hopkins, Richard
Bland, Stephen Johnson. a Connecticut
pastor, aud Daniel Dulaney. q Mary
land lawyer OF great reputation as an
orator and writer, who. while support
ing the u OF the Colonies in their,
objections to the propriety and method
OF parliamentary taxation, lacked the
courage to stand with his fellow colo
nists when his teachings brought tho
logical result OF revolutionary resist
ancc. and died In seclusion. after hav-
Ing been denounced as a tory by the ad-
rocates OF the cause to which ne con-
tributed much In its earlier stages.
The most effective newspaper writer
of this period was John Dickinson, Of
Pennsylvania, who in 1767-S, published
a series OF contributions to Phlladel-
phia newspaper, entitled Farmers Let
ters,' which were re-published in twen-
ty-one Of the twenty-five newspapers
then In America, and which were after
wards collected and issued In a pamph-
let, OF which eight editions were pub
lished In different parts Of the country.
The circumstance which inspired these
letters was the enactment OF new
measures OF import taxation, 4 most
odious custom house regulation, and tho
suspension of the functions Of the New
York legislature until 1t should pro-
vide quarters and other necessaries for
the British troops stationed in that
colony.
We who live in an age OF newspa-
pers where sentiments on all sides Of all
kinds Of subjects pass in daily review
before us, are apt to give but Sigh,
credence or significance to newspaper
articles; but in that day printed matter
being more rare. had perhaps very
much more force and sanctity, even
where he meaning was somewhat OBJ
scure n the merits doubtful. The
forcefulness OF the Farmers Letters,
therefore caused them to DO received by
the people as a political revelation.
They were regarded as almost inspired.
In the Literary History OF the Revo-
luton by Tyler, it Is saiG, that the ad-
miration and gratitude OF the people
were expressed in almost every con-
ceivable form. Thanks were voted to
Dickinson By political associations, by
town meetings. by grand juries. The
College OF New Jersey conferred on
hin the degree Of Doctor OF Laws. He
became the favorite toast at public ban
| 1uets. He was offered membership OF