The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-04-21
Anniversary Exercises by
Members of the Legion
of Liberty.
SENATOR TELLER PRESIDES
Eloquent Address of P. T. Moran, in
Which He Depicts Hardships of Fore
fathers and Compares Them With
Fight of the Beers.

The anniversary OF the battle of Lex
manner by the local organization OF the
Legion of Liberty at the Lafayette
Square Theater last night. The affair was
well attended. and the audi :nce was a
/ distinguished and appreoiatise one.
| Senator Teller of Colorado presided.
Mr.. McNulty OF Baltimore. sang THE Star
| Spangled Banner The national air was
well rendered.
Representatives Cochran. Shafroth,
Feely and De Almond, and others made
brief addresses.
| Mr. p T. Moran was introduced to the
audience by Senator Teller. He made
patriotic and stirring speech He traced
the history of the country back TO the
Revolution, and spoke of many stirring
| incidents during the struggle the Ameri-
cans made to gain the firm footing they
now have.
Mr.. Moran said in part.
"The celebration of the anniversary of
the battle of Lexington, where the CO.
lonial troops received their baptism Of
fire. recalls to mind the struggles, vieis-
these pioneers of republican Institutions.
America has proven to the world that
a representative government. based on the
equality of the rights of mankind - -
come the greatest success the worm ..as
known.
The wisdom Of England's liberal policy
in granting home rule to the colonies was
evinced by their rapid growth and devel.
opment.
p.rsa rnta-r mt al " and
teriousiy growing in the sturdy minds OF
the farmers miners, and merchants OF
this wild Western country. Free men,
they began to glory in their bustling
towns, thriving villages and homely farms.
More Revenue Wanted
"Ensland's desire had been accomplish
ed, the colonies planted in America had
grown beyond expectation. They must
now become a greater source of revenue
to England. George III and his parlia-
ment decided that royal rule should su-
persede home rule.
Massachusetts was the first to feel the
iron heel of the oppressor. Her coun-
sellers. according to the new law. were
at his pleasure. The superior judges
were appointed by the crown and We're to
receive compensation therefrom. Juries
were to be selected by the sheriffs, who,
in turn, were appointed by the royal gov
ernor who was a mere creature OF the
king.
Persons accused of capital crimes
could at the discretion of the governor,
be sent to England for trial.
Popular meetings were prohibited ex-
cept by special permission.
The stamp act. tea tax, Boston port
bill. and ether obnoxious laws were
passed by the British Parliament to tame
Massachusetts into submission.
But men who had earned home and
liberty by facing privations and overcom-
ing hardships by personal bravery and
manly toll. were not to submit without a
desperate struggle 10 such a violent out
rage against liberty and even lie.
Secret meetings were held and the in
dignant outpourings Of these fearless
minds Drawing kings wrath are PARALLEL
by the brave burghers' reply of our own
day to the naughty and insolent Chamber
lain.
The determined resistance Of Massa-
chusetts to unjust taxation, and her
unique method of unloading the English
vessels of their cargoes of tea. caused
the tension between colonists and royal
lists to be on the eve of rupture.
THE royal George was not slow in fol-
lowing the advice of this favorite, an
the redcoats soon appeared in the peace
full New England streets. Toll and con-
tentment now gave way to indignation
and resentment.
They were determined not to begin
war. but resolved to fight TO the bitter
end if forced into a conflict.
Patrick Henry's immortal speech 10
the Virginia convention famed the name
OF war in the Middle and Southern States
and caused them to join the New Eng
land colonies for the common defence.
The world knows the rest.