Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1905-1906, 1906-02-03


fury the American Colonies had been
virtually independent, by the middle
of the eighteenth century they had
arrived at a critical period in their
existence. America had been ref
uge for the victims Of religious per-
secution; a haven for those crushed
by injustice. Few In numbers, but
mighty in purpose, they had van
quished the savage denizens of the
woods; hewn their way through tan
gled forests; and made homes In the
wilderness. They formed wall
against which the raving Indians beat
their lives out In vain; an effectual
barrier to the empire seeking French.
But, battling with mighty foes IN the
New World, they were threatened by
an even greater danger from the Old
the avarice of their king. Faith
full to the mother country, they had
shared with her the results of their
labor, only to be rewarded by OPP
pressive restrictions and repeated
acts of ingratitude. But, not con-
tent with loyalty, George III must
needs smother the growing spirit of
democracy, and gather to himself the
golden fruits of their hardships and
toll. Urged on by avarice, trusting
in his own strength, and the weak
ness of his victims, the king resolved
upon the complete overthrow of lib
erty, the establishment Of virtual
military dictatorship in America.
The crisis had come.
Was despotism to fix it's grasp up
on the New World? Was America
to be shackled by the abridgement of
free thought and free speech? Was
this refuge of the prosecuted to be
profaned by the iron heel Of tyran-
nyq Or was Liberty to become the
dominating power Of the land? Was
the colonist to raise his voice in pro-
test, and thunder his challenge across
the Atlantic? The question was vi
tai, and the fate of a nation hung
trembling In the balance.
The blood drenched lanes Of Lex
ington sounded the defiance. From
the rock-ribbed hills of New Hamp-
shire to the sunny fields of Georgia
rang the rallying cry of freedom.
From the shops and fields echoed
back the answer, and the toilers
poured forth in resistless streams.
Looking back upon that conflict,
whose story every school boy knows
by heart, we must feel yet, every one
Of us, something Of the heart-throbs
Of our fathers-the hope, the conf
dence of righteous cause, the Ella
ton, as victory came in those first
years of battle; and then, the first
flush Of victory over, the sinking
down into stern resistance as the
struggle became more desperate and
prolonged; and the determination
never to yield, as the reverses came,
as defeat followed defeat in rapid
succession, and yet they saw the
crimson flag Of Britain waving along
the whole Atlantic coast.
Can we look upon those years un-
moved? Do we not find our eyes,
with theirs, looking round in desper-
alton for help-turning to an impo-
tent Congress, searching among the
nations of Europe, turning to the
seemingly DEBT heavens, for cham
pion7 Yet it is always in the dark
est time of great causes that the light
appears. Across the waters was
France, smarting under her recent
losses, and coveting an opportunity
to strike blow at England's colo
NAL power. But, fearful of the abil-
ity of the colonies, she was lingering
in doubt, hesitating to enter the
struggle. England was mistress Of
the seas, and would brook no inter
ference. Without some assurance
of success, France would remain a
spectator. No other aid was posi-
BILE, and without her the cause was
lost, To secure this help, a victory
was needed-a victory great in moral
effect, if not in actual extent-and
this now could only be gained upon
the sea, where England reigned SUI
preme. But the colonies had not a
single ship Of war, or means to con-
struct one, and French aid seemed
hopeless. Was there no one to VEN
tpre into this perilous sea-no one to
win the needed victory for his ma
ton? - ...
1t was at thois moment of peril
that John Paul Jones came before
Congress with plans for the construc-
ton of a navy, and desire to lead