The Omaha morning bee., 1924-02-17
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klNZI0 tary governors administer
~ ing executive authority; an6
with some colonies-as Rhode Island
and Notwithstanding to be
absolutely self-governing under their
charters, and others admitting
dependence on English authority
IL Is not remarkable that con
fusion early arose over the constitu-
tional status of the different communi-
ties. Rhode Island and Connecticut
undoubtedly had charters emitting
them to home government, II that
should mean anything; Maryland,
Pennsylvania and Delaware had
proprietors whose rights seemed
above question. Penn had bought
Pennsylvania outright for 10000.
surrendering a valid and recognized
claim against the English government
for that amount, which he had IN
herited from his father. Lord Balti-
more had only to pay the king an
annual tribute Of two arrowheads for
Maryland. Massachusetts. New York.
New Hampshire, Virginia, New Jer-
sey, Georgia and the Caro1inas
acknowledged their origin as royal
colonies, but gradually came to have
their own ideas as to just what that
meant.
| Moreover there had been revolu-
ton in England in 1859. The royal
house that had granted the American
charters was driven out and a new
house. with which the English people
made much better terms for them
selves than they had enjoyed under
the Stuarts. came in. The new meas
ure of civil liberty that had come TO
Englishmen at home should extend
to Englishmen in America, the colon
lists argued.
By the middle Of the 18th century
the public agitation of questions that
concerned their government and its
relation to the crown, had become
marked among the colonists, particu-
larly among the New Englanders. A
French traveller said of them:
They are all politicians down 20
the housemaids. and read two news
papers n day
1t Is recorded that when Black
stones commentaries came out in
1858 there was a tremendous demand
for the book in the colonies. Every
body seemed interested in questions
of law and government. A Virginian
travelling in New England remarked
in his letters on the extreme inquisi-
| tiveness and talkativeness OF the
northern people. II he stopped at an
inn he was Immediately surrounded
and questioned as to his identity, HIS
business, and as to what news he
brought.
A people thus politically minded
was not likely to sleep on its rights.
The colonists had. in fact, enjoyed so
much liberty that the slightest ap-
parent restrictions on them at once
reused their apprehension. The Eng
iish colonial policy had for long pc
RODS been one described as wise
| neglect: the colonists had been left
alone to tax themselves and quarrel
with their royal governors. but this
comfortable course was interrupted
at times by fits of meddling by king.
| minister or parliament, and on these
occasions the colonies never failed 10
show quick alarm.
Thus when Governor Andres sought
to forfeit the charter Of Connecticut
he met with tho stoutest resistance
All New England fought the tyranni.
cal governor until they brought about
his fall. Massachusetts,, as early as
1862. denied the right of parliament to
| change its charter. and, Puritan
though II was. refused TO proclaim
Cromwell and his son RICHARD. Massa.
chusetts even asserted the right To
coin its own money.
In Virginia the assembly refused Ia
submit its records to the examination
OF Cuipepper, the royal governor, and
under him and many succeeding gov.
ernors continued to wage n contest
more or less successful, for larger
rights OF self government.
In pennsylvania continuous
struggle went on between the assem-
bly, and the deputies commissioned
oy Penn TO govern for him. Ever
when the colony was taken over b,
a royal governor, during Penn's trou
bles with the English government
the assembly refused to contribut,
money for the war In which Kinf
William was engaged with France.
New York's history was still NOR,
turbulent. II was Dutch until 1864
and Dutch hgain for a short perio,
a few years later. But its permanent
occupation by the British was soor
followed by civil war, when n factor
OF the colonists. led by Jacob I.eisler
seized the government and refused I.
submit to the royal authority. Gov
ernor Slaughter, TO whom I,eisle,
hnally surrendered. hanged him an,
some of his followers But the colon,
was not pacified. and under the rul,
or successive governors continued ,
prey to contesting factions for man,
years.
All this history. and II was OF Tx,
character throughout the colonies
tends to one conclusion. Government
good or bad--and In the main Il wa,
Dad-bestowed from England va,
everywhere coming 10 be regarded n,
an INVASION Of colonial liberties. m,
colonies wanted To govern themselves
each colony wanted TO govern Haelt
independently Of the others. The,
wanted. each for itself. 10 concentrat,
an government In the locally elected
assemblies. Above all they recoKnizee
no taxing power but that OF the ny
lsembiy. The people regarded them
selves as English subjects. but en-
Titled TO the kind of government thel,
situation demanded They had carvee
out their colonies from the wilder
ness and the fruits OF their work wer,
.heir own. Too often the royal COY
crhors were mere adventurcrs. ruined
NJ the gaming tables OF London, and
| ,hese fapacious riIlers were held te
pc little better than public enemies
isnsland's wise neglect. when inter
rupted by unwise interference, wns
rapidly alternating n loyalty that. al
pest was llttlo calculated TO withstand
the tlme and distance that separate,
tho colonlsts from the land and m.
political system OF their forefathers
The bonds that held them 10 IN,
mother country had been stretche,
taut. Only wise statesmanship In
England could keep them from snnp
ping.
Inc circumstance 10 which th,
Cnl0nlea oWod their lnrnn frnnhn,.. =.