The Ordway new era., 1913-09-05
loyalty to his majesty's government
and avert q revolution.


Opposed to Rash Measures.
They were not men to be trihed
with. Had they been able to unite
upon active measures. had they ad-
vanced from defence to aggressive ac-
tion. they might have rendered them
selves formidable beyond possibility
Of defeat.
Everywhere men Of substance and
of influence were to be found by the
score who were opposed to a revolu-
tionary agitation. such as this that
now seemed to be gathering head.
Even in Massachusetts men who bore
the best and Oldest names of the COM
monwealth were of this number; in
New York and Pennsylvania, at the
very heart OF the continent, they
could, it was believed. boast ma
jority, as well as to the far south
ward. In the low country of South
Carolina and Georgia.
Without Hurt to the Empire.
No one, they declared, but designing
politicians and men without prop
erty, those who had much to gain and
nothing to lose by the upsetting Of
law and ordered government. wished
to see this contest with the ministry
pushed to extremes.
They wished no less than others to
see the colonies keep their lawful and
chartered liberties, but the thing must
be accomplished soberly. and without
loss Of things equally dear-of honor.
and the maintenance Of an unbroken
English empire.
The nice balance Of the parties was
disclosed in the congpess itself.
The Pennsylvania delegation was
led by Joseph Galloway, man In the
prime of life. full OF force and learn
ing. who had been speaker Of the
provincial house these eight years By
the almost unanimous choice of his
colleagues. and who now stood forth
to utter the real voice of his colony
in proposing measures Of accommoda-
ton.
Tho Speakers Proposition.
He proposed that the home govern
ment be asked to sanction the estab-
lishment OF confederate parliament
for America. composed of delegates to
be chosen every third year by the
legislatures OF the several colonies.
and acting under = governor-general
to be appointed by the crown.
Edward yRutledge. of South Caro-
lima. hot orator for liberty though he
was, declared in an almost perfect
plan." and was eager to see It adopt
ed; influential members from almost
every quarter gave It their hearty
support. Mr.. John Jay. of New York.
among the rest; and 1t was defeated
only by the narrow majority of sin
gle colony's vote.
chatham's Opinion Of Congress.
Chatham might very justly COM
mend the congress of 1774 as con-
spicuous among deliberative bodies for
its "decency, firmness and WISDOM"
its "solidity of reasoning. force Of
sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion.
under such a complication OF circum-
stances was such as even he did not
fully comprehend.
For seven weeks of almost contin-
uous session did 1t hammer its stiff
business into shape. never wearying
of deliberation or debate. till 1t could
put forth papers to the world-an ad-
dress to the king. memorials to the
people Of Great Britain and to the
people of British America, their fel.
and a solemn declara-
ton of rights-which should mark 1t
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 asso-
pledged against trade with
Great Britain till the legislation of
which they complained should be re-
pealed. Their only intimation OF in.
tention for the future was . resolu-
ton to meet again the next spring,
should their prayers not meanwhile be
needed.
Washington turned homeward from
the congress with thoughts and pur-
poses every way deepened and ma
tured. ...-.
It had been a mere seven weeks
no one had deemed the
congress a government, or had spoken
Of any object save peace and accom-
but no one could foresee
the issue of what had been done.
A Vision Of United America.
A spirit had run through those de-
which gave thoughtful men.
as they pondered 1t, new idea Of the
colonies. 1t needed no prophet to dis
.ern beyond all this sober and anx-
ous business vision Of America
1nited, armed. belligerent for her
lights.
There was no telling what form OF
,cornful rejection awaited that declar-
.tion of rights or the grave pleading
II that urgent memorial to the crown.
I behooved every man to hold him
,elf in readiness for the worst; and
saw as clearly as any man
It how nice hazard things stood.
w,.htnofon Not Deceived,