New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-12

ment TO the mother country was strong into
firm supporter Of the Revolution
It is pity that the attitude toward England
taken by the signers Of the Declaration not
adhered 10 more consistently by themselves and
their descendants though in the course Of a bit
ter war # was natural TO identify the whole ma
ton with the British armies and to forget that
they did not represent united public opinion.
Sir George Trevelyan, with more than ample
evidence, shows that the attempt to subdue
America was in no sense the work of the Eng
lish people a subservient ministry was able TO
vote its measures through a Parliament elected
by wholesale bribery and controlled by almost
universal corruption. But all through the war
an outspoken opposition was maintained in both
the Lords and Commons. In the case of a foreign
war, or any war which has popular support,
those who dare to oppose it court popular oblo-
guy, If not legal penalties. But the critics Of the
American lost neither popular applause nor
the warm friendship Of conscientious associates
who supported the government Wilkes and a
multitude of lesser pamptleteers and printers
had brought upon themselves relentless persecu-
ton for outspoken criticism of ministerial meas
ures before 1T15, and Leigh Hunts imprison-
ment for disrespect 10 the Regent is proof Of the
vigorous enforcement of the libel laws at a later
day But all through the Revolution the great
est license was taken and allowed. London sym
Pdltl4ZtQ Win the colonies ana us FOUR MEM
bers voted steadily against the from first
TO last It resisted the work of the press gangs
in the city and enjoyed an immunity in express
ing its opinions that was never allowed il when
L was supporting Wilkes in defence of its own
rights in the contest over the Middlesex cleo
tons. Petitions and counter petitions were cir
culated in the counties until the ministry
scarcely dared TO let their friends make a dec
laration lest a longer list Of names should come
from the same constituency in favor OF conciIa-
ton And that Cancellation, TO the credit Of Eng
lish love Of liberty be it said, was more often
urged the ground Of justice than Of self-inter-
est. though the commercial classes of Great
Britain and all who were not proflting by court
bounty, political corruption or the proceeds Of
military contracts were grievous sufferers from
the war.
= light is thrown upon the contemporary Eng
fish view Of the meaning of the struggle by the
circumstance that the Jacobites, those friends OF
arbitrary government, who never before had
been able TO reconcile themselves to the House Of
Hanover, in large numbers rallied TO the support
Of George III as the spiritual heir OF the Stuarts
while the old line Wings. traditonally the main
stay OF his dynasty. were championing the men
who. as Horace Walpole said. were fighting for
his liberty as well as for their own. Still more
significant was the attitude Of some of Eng
lands greatest soldiers and sailors-men whose
whole training had been a lesson in obedience.
regardless Of personal opinion to whatever gov
eminent was in power. Admiral Keppel an
nounced that he was ready as ever to serve
against a European enemy, but would take
command in America, and he lost nothing Of his
popularity even in the navy on account of it.
Sir Jeffrey Amherst was political friend Of the
administration, but he resisted even the persua-
sions OF the King that, as personal favor, he
would go and fight against the men whom ht-
teen years before he had led at 'TicondeToga
The King, who did not lack delicacy Of feeling
respected his scruples, retained him as COM
rnander-in-chief Of the forces, and Amherst
lived 70 be a peer and q field marshal Granville
sharp. who afterward served America by secur-
ing the act under which the Episcopal Church
attained the conservation OF its first bishops by
the Archbishop of Canterbury, was in 40
clerk under Amherst in the ordnance depart
rnent His conscience would not permit him 10
send powder to be used against the colonists and
he offered his resignation 1t was not accepted
and far ia years. AGAINST his own protest he