Norwich bulletin., 1921-03-02
ODD INCIDENTS IN AMERICAS
HISTORY

OUR FIRST ORGANIZED REBELLION
1t was singular coincidence that the
first organized rebellion in the United
States occurred in the State, of Massa-
chusetts, which has been the foremos.
state in the war >ot iAdsptndence. Nat
urally, when the conflict was over there
were many interests 70 be satisfied, and
the government just establisAsd was not
able to meet the wants of az This re-
suited. especially in tas New England
states, where the burden was felt the
most forceful, in dissatisfaction which
in several instances took the form Of law-
leSEness.
The center of this spirit in New Eng
land eliminated in 1855, when the leg
islature of Massachusetts found 1t nee
essary to impose taxes in order to meet
the Ellis to be paid. The gradual muir
muring soon broke out in a storm which
could doubtlessly have been quelled, but
for the daring and desperation OF one
man, Daniel Shays.
Mainly through Shays' influence the
mob spirit grew more and more RAM
pant in Massachusetts. The authorities
Thought they would be able to subdue
the uprising by placing certain Of the
ringleaders in jail. But this only ,eN-
asperated their associates who shortly or
eanized themselves into an armed foFcs
under the command of Shays, Luke Day
and Eli Parsons.
The leniency of the soyeFner OF the
state was looked upon as coWeraics. FhA
acts of the legislature were dsuouhceu
as instruments of tyranny. The peeHls
were excited by infiammatory. anpeats,
Toward the close of November the alt
lfin ~ SREaiAAk
Worcester was prevented by an armed
meb. Bold demonstrations ware held IN
different sctiens. The leaders, eSpectiAg
severe punishment in the event Of failu; e
became desperate
! In December large number Of the IA
surgents assembled at Concord, expecting
to be joined by others ffam adjoining
counties Their object was to prevent
the sitting of the caurt at Cambridge
| the debating of measures to the governor.
and the suspension for time at least, Of
the usual processes Of law.
It was also evident that 1t was the In
tention to seize the Capitol. if Feasible
and proclaim a provisional government
But the project failed. and three OF tbs
leading traitors of Middlesex soon found
themselves within the walls of q BaSteu
| jail
Shays and his followers. desperate &na
! determined turned their faces westward
and marched against Springfield for thu
purpose of interfering with the sitting ei
the court. and, If strong enough, to seiSt
the continental aTaenal at that place
They succeeded in taking possession q
the court house, the powerless judges be
ing compiled to submit.
Governor Baldwin at length deterzniH
ed upon vigorous exertian of all thu
powers he possession fer the protection
and defence Of the commonwealth. Up
wards of four thousand militia were or
de1ed into service and were placed unde
the command of the veteran, Gen. Lin
coin.
1t was in the depth Of an unusual,
severe winter that the treeps thus raise
in the eastern part of the state assemble
near Boston. and marched towards tn
scene of action. Those from the westerl
counties met in arms under Gen. Slep
ard and took possession Of the arsenal q
Springfield.
Before the arrival ef Lincoln q part
Of insurgents presented themselves hefer
. the arsenal and demanded its surreade,
Attempting to carry out their threa
Shepard at first warned them ana the
fred upon them. The hrst discharge w
over their heads and they took no nstie
OF 1t. The second was into the ranks. !
cry Of murder )" arose ana All ned
confusion leaving three men dead IN h
field and one wounded
BY the time Lincoln reached Il,
u scene with his troops the insurgents ha
| fed to Pelham, where they posted then
selves behind two hills, rendered alma.
A Inaccessible by the great fall Of eael
! When they saw that resistance was IN
! possible, Shays offered to law dsWR h
arms on condition, Of general nardol
which Lincoln, however had not the Pow
er to grant"
At length, sarely pressed for feed
4 sudden retreat was made for Petershar
! Discovering this, Lincoln set. OF at
the evening and marched all nissht, far
miles through intense eeld and drivir
storm. reaching PetershRm by dayhfss
: to the establishment Of the rebels, vi
u had not the least idea Of the msyeu en-
and accordingly fed in disHaay or we
taken prisoners. Fourteen Of the rim
leaders were condemned to death as trail
= ors. symHathy for thsH was a strnr
e and they were pardeRed by Govern
!, Hancock.
(Temerrow-Jeffersoni simpileit }