Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-06-29

Thumbnail History of the United States
BY JOHN BACH McMAsTER

Within year from the day when
Sthe shot hear round the world" was
fired at Concord all semblance of allie
glance to Great Britain disappeared
The Continental army was in exist
ence; Washington was Commander-in
Chief; Bunker Hill had been fought;
the Colonial Legislatures had been
replaced by Provincial Congresses or
Provincial Conventions, and the Royal
Governors by Committees of Safety
When matters had gone as far as
this the Continental Congress advised
the colonies to establish civil govern
ment of their own creation, took into
consideration the resolution of Lee
declaring the colonies sovereign. free
and independent states, and appointed
committee to write a declaration of
independence and another to frame
a plan of government for the United
States. July 4, 1776, the Declaration
was adopted and between 177G and
1884 eleven states framed and put in
operation written constitutions and so
turned themselves from colonies into
states. Rhode Island till 1912, and
Connecticut till 1918 continued to use
their OLD colonial charters.
In July of 1916 Congress took up the
Articles of Federation, or plan of gov
eminent for the United States, and in
1777 sent them to the states for ap-
prevail; but disputes over the owner
ship of lands west Of the mountains
delayed their acceptance till 1881.
From the first the plan was failure.
Congress had no power to lay tax
of any sort, nor regulate trade with
foreign countries, nor between states
The states issued paper money, regu-
lated foreign trade, each in its own
way without regard to the regulations
of others, and by this lack Of uniformi-
ty produced the financial, commercial
and industrial distress which wrecked
the Confederation. Business condl-
lions made an abandonment Of the
articles necessary, and in 1881 our
present Constitution was framed at
Philadelphia. Eleven states promptly
ratified and in April. 1889, Washing
ton was inaugurated at New York
In 1890 Philadelphia became the seat
of government, and in 1890, Washing
ton.
The financial legislation Of the first
and second congresses split the people
into two political parties-the FEEDER
alists, who supported Washington
with Adams, Hamilton, Jay, Pickering
and King for leaders, and the anu
Federalists or Republicans, who OPP
posed the administration under the
lead of Jefferson, Madison, Monroe
and Gallatin. Scarcely had inc
parties been organized on domesue
issues whan France declared war on
Great Britain and opened her Nes'
Indies to neutral trade, and our coun
try entered upon a long period OF LOT
eien complication. Washington IS
sued a proclamation of neutrallt1
{1793) and our merchants rusneo u
the French West Indies. But Grea
Britain seized their ships ana Ins
Anti-Federalists attempted 10 ioics
Congress to retaliate. Lest this
should bring on war Washington sen
jaw to London to negotiate our mrs
commercial treaty with Great BTU
ain. This treaty offended France "h'
rejected our new minister, deIlaiue'
tribute and so insulted us that al
army of volunteers was raised, coas
defenses erected, the Navy depart
ment created. and naval war "ase.
from 179S-1S0O. From 1901 10 lou
there was peace in Europe, ana our'hs
these wears onr trade aecilheu'
wave of population swept Wes'wasu
Ohio was admitted as a state' 'ehei
son was elected president; Louislan'
was purchased from France anu W."
renewed in Europe.
AS nearly all western Europe SOU
became tributary to Napoleon on
country became the great neu''a
ocean carrier. An immense tfaae " q
developed which Great BIitaln a.
tackled with orders in Councli anu Ne
poleon with DEGREES Notnlng wa
left but fight for our neutral rlsnes =
abandon the sea. Jefferson cnose -