The Irish standard., 1902-04-19

New York possessed landed aristoc.
racy and a commercial aristocracy.
In Maryland and Virginia resided
many families of proud ancestral
claims and about them grew up q
society Of chivalrous tone, elegant
manners and aristocratic pretensions.
Indeed. the leading men of the South
ern colonies We're proud of the fact
that they adhered to the Church of
England and We're identified with the
Cavaliers Of the Cromwellian period.
They, therefore, adopted the general
designation of Cavaliers and empha-
sized thereby the characteristic differ
ence in social conditions, theories and
aims existing between themselves and
descendants of the Puritans who con-
stituted the population of the New
England colonies.
Negro slavery was an institution pre-
vailing in all the colonies. The Amer
leans had resisted the introduction of
slavery, but had been overruled by the
British government. Aside from slav-
cry, a condition of general equality
was the rule in all the colonies. No
great social distinctions existed. The
vast agSregations of capital, so familiar
to later times. We're then unknown.
The great masses of the people pos
sessed equal opportunities and availed
themselves of such opportunities with
eagerness. Industry and frugality
We're guiding principles, and prosperity
was universal.
The prosperous condition of the col
onies attracted to our shores vast
immigration. The first English settle
ment was made at jamestown, Vir-
ginia. in the year 1907, and the second
at Plymouth Massachusetts, in the
year 1920. During the period of little
more than century and half which
elapsed between fhe date of these orig
inal settlements and the commence
ment of the Revolution, the American
population had risen to nearly three
millions.
1t must be remembered that during
the period to which I have Just made
reference, communication between the
shores of Europe and America was Il
task of difficulty. No steamships then
existed. No Atlantic cable wrote in
one hemisphere the message dictated
in the other.
Travellers and letters came from Eu-
rope to America in sailing vessels, and
the voyage consumed at least three
weeks even in good weather. In spite
of these hindrances to communication.
commerce and travel, the colonies grew
apace. They were, at the commence
ment of the Revolution, mighty COM
monwealths. This fact was set forth
with emphasis by Edmund Burke in
his famous speech on American Tax
alton" delivered in the British House
of Commons on the nineteenth day of
April. A. D. 1874. Mr.. Burke then
said, referring to the American col
Onies:
Nothing in the history of mankind
is like their progress. For my part,
never cast an eye on their Furnishing
commerce, and their cultivated and
commodious life, but they seem to me
rather ancient nations grown to perfec-
ton through long series of fortunate
events, and a train of successful in
dustly, accommodating wealth in MANY
centuries, than the colonies of yester-
day-than a set of miserable outcasts
a few years ago, not so much sent as
thrown out on the bleak and barren
shore of a desolate wilderness three
thousand miles from all civilized inter-
course"
This eloquent tribute to America
was truthful and accurate. 1t portrays
fact illuminated by the wise observa-
tions Of genius and craftsmanship.
The common people of England, for
centuries prior to the reign of George
the Third, had commended for the prin-
ciple that the sole power of imposing
taxes resided in themselves; that the
great governmental function Of impos-
ing taxes should be exercised by their
chosen representatives; that taxes were
grants to the king and not royal exac.
tons to be measured by the will or
the needs Of the monarch. This prin.
ciple had been duly incorporated into
the British Constitution. 1t was the
prize won by the heroism of English
patriots.
1t was heritage of the English race
and a monument to the memory OF
Simon dc Monfort, Hampden, Sydney
Vane and their gallant followers.
In violation of this cherished feature
Of the Constitution, British ministry
undertook to lay and collect taxes il
America without the consent Of the
Americans. The proposition was re
ceived in America with vehement OBJ
lection. The execution of the plan me-
with determined resistance.
The stamp act came FIRST. Its en-
forcement proved to be impossible ant
it was repealed. 1t was soon followed
by a tax upon all tea imported into tn,
colonies. The Americans ceased =,
drink tea and even threw some of i
into the salt water of Massachusetts!