The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1920-02-20
The Boston Tea Party


dumped 100000 worth of British tea
into Boston Harbor in order to prevent
mad King George III: from collecting
an unjust tax upon it. The destfpc-
tion of the tea was not legal. In
fact it was in direct violation of the
laws protecting property, Yet it is
generally agreed today that the revo-
lutionists were justified in thus guard
ing their right Of self-taxation, even
tho they did trosspass bit on the
technical process of law and order.
Rcvolutionists who ignored the law in
order to defend their rights and pre-
serve American liberties are now
landed in history as immortal heroes,
and acclaimed by grateful posterity
as matchless patriots. Poets and story
tellers vie with each eother in sing
ing the praises of these determined
pen who, in great cause, took the
law into their own hands, DESTROYED
the tea, and saved the Revolution.
The trouble started in this way.
Cling George the Third was, like the
master class everywhere, possessed Of
an overwelning "Will to Rule''. He
wished to rule with an iron hand.
But the American Colonists had al
ways enjoyed local autonomy. They
had their own legislatures and raised
their own taxes. They denied the right
of England to tax them. emo taxa
tion without representation" was The
cry that appealed to every American
The first tax that caused much re
sistance was the Stamp Tax in 176;
on deeds, wills and other legal decu
:, ments. When some Of the stamps ar
= rived in New York the revolutionar,
leaders seized them and made a pub
lie bonfire Of them. King George 90
g no revenue from those stamps
! When the British ministry, whic]
at this time had become conciliatory
learned the strength Of the feelin
e in America against foreign taxation
II they had the Stamp Tax repealed
10 But King George soon insisted tina
another tax be levied. He woul
show his subjects in America wh
Is was master. So "Revenue Actu ws
al passed placing a tax on paints, pape
30 tea and other articles. The Colonist
Is refused to touch any Of the take
B. merchandise. They went without te
paper and paint, and King George 9
# no tax.
Z, This successful resistance to tn
\ authority put the King in hot ter
per. He now resorted to cure to tri,
Of the Americans into paying him a ia
"a The revenue Act was rlTealed the t,
on tea only being retained A barga
WAS made with the East India Coz
II. pany allowing it rebates so that
,ls could send tea to America which cou
be sold for less than if it paid
tax. But this trick, which becar
ds known to. the Americans, seemed
re. them an insult, and they became mo
Il determined than ever that the t,
a should not be paid. In Boston, ho'
Ell ever, several loyalists, to whom q
tea had been consigned, were ready
take the tea and pay the tax VIII
it was landed. If that occurred q
principle Of emo taxation without
presentation" would be defeated. XII,
"a George would get his tax, A co,
of mittee Of Boston citizens first tri
vas every legal means 10 prevent t
nm landing of the tea. But the Govern,
M appointed by the King in those da
ces refused a pass to allow the tea sbi
to return to England without u
loading. For 20 days Boston and I
whole country around was on ed
for fear the tax would be paid.
the next day the toa would surely
il landed. A few of the revolutiona
ire leaders held consultation and II W
oo decided that nothing but direct acti
oh could now save the people Of Mas.
in. chusetts from this invasion of tb,
rights. A score or two Of determin
patriots disguised themselves in
: dian attire and secured tomahawl
VI They proceeded to the wharf, back
u by a mass Of citizens, boarded
We ships, broke open the $50 chests a
h, poured the tea into the waters
III Boston Harbor. Some Of the tea "
landed ny the wind andwaves on
- beach at Dorchester; but King Geor
ne never got his tax on that tea.
tn Not only had the principle ''
lis taxation without representation
dc been saved but of far more c,
sequence was the enthusiasm VIII
~ the Tea Party aroused thruout all
''' Colonies from New Hampshire
vi Georgia. Up till then many had s.
20 "Ah, what's the use bucking agai
of the government. But this act Of
n,l evolutionary leaders in thwarting
~ ,yranical acts Of their povernm
was an inspiration 10 every libc
:" loving American. They thrilled "
nS pride for these heroes who had
syr thcir lives in the balance to 8
he American ideals Of freedom. A +,