The Washington herald., 1913-02-03

Copyright, ls7s. BY hArper q Bros AL rights re-
seTedD
Copyright. 1913. b5 Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate,
NO. Is.
Some OF the best men in America were
opposed TO the course which was now
evidently to be taken.
So long as II was merely a matter of
protest by the colonies severally. they
had no criticism to make-except per-
haps, that Mr.. Otis and Mr.. Henry had
held unnecessarily high language, and
had been bold and defiant beyond meas
ure: but when they saw how the op-
position gathered head, FASTENED from
protest to concerted resistance, put
popular conventions into the place OF
lawful legislative assemblies and ad-
vanced at length to continental Or
I ganization. they deemed 1t high time TO
bestir themselves. vindicate their loyalty
to his majesty's government, and avert
revolution.
Opposed to Rash Measures.
They were not men to be trified with
Had they been able to unite upon active
measures, had they advanced from de-
fense to aggressive action. they might
have rendered themselves Formidable
beyond possibility of defeat.
ENPrywheTe men OF SuDSldACt anu VI
influence were to be found by the score
who were opposed to a revolutionary
agitation. such as this that now seemed
to be gathering head. Even In Massa-
chusetts men who bore the best and
Oldest names OF the commonwealth were
of this number: in New York and Penn
sylyania, at the very heart OF the con-
tinent, they could. II was believed p"ast
a majority, as well as to the far south
ward, in the low country of South caro-
lima and Georgia.
without Hurt to the Empire.
No one. they declared. but designing
politicians and men without property
those who had much TO gain and nothinG
to lose by the upsetting Of law ana Or
dered government. wished to see this con-
test with the ministry pushed to eN-
tremes.
They wished no less than others to see
the colonies keep their lawful and char
tered liberties but the thing must be
accomplished soberly. and without loss
Of things equally dear-of honor, ana
the maintenance Of an unbroken Eng
lish empire.
The nice balance OF the parties was
disclosed in the congress itself.
The Pennsylvania delegation was LED
by Joseph Galloway. a man in the prime
had been Speaker Of the provincial
House these eight years by the almost
unanimous choice Of his colleagues ana
who now stood forth to utter the real
voice Of his colony in proposing meas
ures OF accommodation
The Speakers Proposition.
He proposed that the home government
be asked to sanction the establishment
Of a confederate parliament for America
composed Of delegates to be chosen
every third year by the legislatures OF
the several colonies, and acting under
a governor general to he appointed by
the crown.
hot orator for liberty though he was.
declared il an almost perfect plan,
and was eager to see it adopted: infu-
entail members from almost every quar-
ter gave il their hearty support. Mr.
John Jay, Of New York. among the rest:
and il was defeated only by the narrow
majority of single colony's vote.
Chatham's Opinion of Congress.
Chatham might very Justly commend
the Congress OF I774 as conspicuous
among deIiberative bodies for its dc
cency. frmness, and wisdom its so
lidity Of reasoning. force of sagacity. and
wisdom OF conclusion. under such
complication Of circumstances" for the
complication OF circumstances was such
as even he did not fully, comprehend.
For seven weeks OF almost continuous
session did II hammer its stiT business
into shape never wearying Of delibera-
ton or debate. till 1t could put forth
papers to the world-an address to the
King. memorials TO the people of Great
Britain and to the people Of British
America, their fellow-subjects, and a
solemn declaration of rights-which
should mark it no revolutionary body.
but a Congress Of just and thoughtful
Englishmen. in love. not with license or
rebellion. but with right and wholesome
liberty.
A Single Aggressive Act.
Their only act of aggression was the
formation of an american Association"
pledged against trade with Great Britain
till the legislation of which they COM
planned should be repealed. Their only
intimation Of intention for the future