CHAPTER VIII.

CONCLUDING

Summary of dangers to permanency of the Repub-
lic-First, the Negro Problem-Second, the problem
of Ignorance-Third, the problem of Expansion-
Fourth, Spoliation of the Rich-Fifth, Spoliation of
the Poor-Sixth, the policy of protecting special in-
dustries-Seventh, Centralization-Eighth, Failure of
Popular Government-Closing review.

APPENDIX TO CONCLUDING CHAPTER.-(1) Extract
from Hon. T. M. Cooley on Centralization. (2) Ex-
tract from Hon. Thomas F. Bayard on Individual
Freedom.

INDEX .

PAGE

4II

IN the unwritten Constitution of England, it has always been a fundamental principle that there shall be no taxation without representation. Charles II. said in 1676: "Taxes ought not to be laid on the inhabitants and proprietors of the colony (Virginia), but by the common consent of the General Assembly." At the close of the war with France, involving their colonial possessions on this continent, England found herself in debt. Parliament, in conjunction with the ministers of George III., passed an act to compel the colonies to aid her in paying this debt. The colonists denied the right and legality of any such enactment, while they were not represented in Parliament. was at least a new departure in English legislation. In 1761, Otis published in Boston The Rights of the Colonies Asserted aud Proved, a book that became a

It

political Bible. Virginia, in the spring of 1765, by her House of Burgesses, resolved that "the General Assembly of this Colony has the sole right and power to lay taxes and impositions on the inhabitants of this colony." Patrick Henry, a young lawyer, by his defense of this resolution, became known as the most wonderful orator in the world. Lord Chatham, in a speech in Parliament of astounding courage and eloquence, replied to the Ministry that they would sooner or later be compelled to retract; and that for his part he rejoiced that the colonies resisted.

Massachusetts invited a General Congress of the colonies to meet in New York, October 7, 1765. Nine colonies which were there represented, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and New Hampshire, agreed to abide by the action of their delegates. Brigadier-General Ruggles was elected President; but Adams declared that "he ran away" to avoid responsibility. This Congress, the first in American history, issued a protest against offensive taxation, and dissolved. The Stamp Act was soon rescinded by Parliament as a consequence.

In 1768, English troops were sent over to garrison Boston. A conflict in the streets took place in 1770, and Samuel Adams led in a successful demand to have the troops retired to a castle and barracks. In 1774, continued aggressions of the parent country led to Committees of Correspondence between the colonies; the avowed object being the creation of a General Congress, to meet annually, to deliberate on their common interests.

The first session of this Congress or assemblage of delegates of the colonies took place in September of the

same year. A spontaneous movement, it continued in session without dissolving for fifteen years. Legislative, judicial, and executive in its functions, without certified warrant, it declared the independence of the colonies and won it. It laid taxes, it conducted war, it negotiated treaties; its only credentials of authority being the exigencies of the times. The history of legislation before or since shows nothing more admirable for patriotism, or more statesmanlike in conception, than the documents that emanated from these representatives of the people. The Bill of Rights; a List of Grievances; The Association; an Address to the People of Great Britain; and a Memorial to the Inhabitants of the British American Colonies are papers unequalled in the political history of the world, except possibly by rare documents appearing at great intervals.

John Adams, answering the question, Did every member of Congress on the 4th of July, 1776, in fact cordially approve of the Declaration of Independence, replied: Majorities were constantly against it. For many days the majority depended on Mr. Hewes of North Carolina. While a member one day was reading documents to prove that public opinion was in favor of the measure, Mr. Hewes suddenly started upright, and lifting up both hands to Heaven as if in a trance, cried out: 'It is done; and I will abide by it.' I would give more for a perfect painting of the terror and horror upon the faces of the old majority at that moment than for the best piece of Raphael." Jefferson gives a synopsis of the arguments for and against a declaration. The delegates from Virginia moved it on June 7th. The debate showed that "New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and South Carolina were not matured for falling from the parent