The Holly chieftain., 1914-02-20

and the winning essay appears
The success Of a popular uprising must.
from its very nature depend upon the united
and enthusiastic support oi the people 10
,sin tbis SUPPORT a cause must moi only
body principles for which men are willing
TO sacrifice everything. but these principles
must be brought before the people in a
and concentrated action. He who has pre-
scented these principles IN Il way to turn un-
certain and smolderins resentment into ac.
tive resistance. deserves no small amount oi
credit for the happy climax to which that
resistance has led for. had his labor moi
paved the way, the work done by many men
taking more spectacular parts in the strife
would haze been impossible.
In the American Revolution. this work Of
arousing the patriots to a spirit OF fearless
resistance. and stirring Them 10 that inpetu-
GUS defiance of tyranny which precipitaied
the war uad carried it 10 successful issue.
fell largely to Thomas Paine. A summary
Of the conditions existing at the time this
writer entered actively into the contest will
be necessary to n claar understanding Of the
extent of his influence upon later develop
ments.
Eary in the year of l776, American
affairs reached crisis. Before this time
neither the coIonists nor the English had
fully realized the nature magnitude oi the
struggle which they were entering. But
now the time for hesitation or all-hcarted
action was past. The British ministry. find
ing itself engaged in a war.
making such preparations for invading and
subduine America. that the struggle could
not be sustained by merely local uprisings
and temporary measures. The contest was
longer the npusive resistance OF farmers
assuming tie proportional Of national con-
0ict The Americans must now choose be-
Britain and the only alternative. immediate
and ignomnious surrender OF their principles
Yet popular opinion regarding future action
was hanging in the balance Strong argu-
ments in iavor-ol each OF these courses we're
advanced. and even Americas most able.
patriotic statesmen differed in their views Of
the situations.
Though the Coloniss had unhesitatingly
resisted UNJUST acts of Engands local repre-
sentatives. yet. when it came to bidding a
general defiance to that sovereign whose
name they had been taught to hold almost
sacred. ana to entering bloody war against
that empire of which they had been proud
to call themselves u part, many felt that the.
defence OF principle was being carried to
excess. Faith in long established principles
OF government cannot be easily broken and.
in spite Of the rebnfis already met at the
hands Of George III. it was hoped that
reconciliation might be effected and the two
peoples remain parts Of one mighty empire.
Another reason for maintaining peace was
the fear Of seeing the prosperity Of America
replaced by devastation and ruin. Moreover,
the practicability Of thirteen small colonies
wnging war against such world power as
Great Britain was doubted. Even though
all these Objections should be overcome.
there still remained much TO be accomplished
before victory to the patrio.s would be as.
sured. FIRST the very nature Of the cause
for which men fought must change. |, would
be impossible Tor Americans to carry on
several years war against the mother coun-
try with the sole end Of establishing their
rights as Englishmen. II they continued the
struggle it must be with independence as the
final reward. Second. the colonies must dis
card all local jealouses and blend themselves