Posted on 04/16/2009 9:36:17 AM PDT by Claud
The design of this attempt to rescue patriotism from obloquy is to prepare the way for calling upon you to show whether the opposition you formerly gave to the British Parliament in their attempts to tax the American colonies was founded upon resentment and party rage, or whether it flowed from a well-informed zeal in the cause of liberty. You have heard of the machinations of the enemies of our country to enslave us by means of the East-India Company. By the last accounts from Britain we are informed that vessels were freighted to bring over a quantity of tea taxed with a duty to raise a revenue from America. Should it be landed, it is to be feared it will find its way amongst us. Then farewell American Liberty! We are undone forever. All the images we can borrow from everything terrible in nature are too faint to describe the horror of our situation. But I rely too much upon the virtue which has hitherto distinguished my countrymen to cherish a thought that this will be the case. Let us with one heart and hand oppose the landing of it. The baneful [tea] chests contain in them a slow poison in a political as well as physical sense. They contain worse than death--[they contain] the seeds of SLAVERY. Remember, my countrymen, the present era--perhaps the present struggle--will fix the constitution of America forever. Think of your ancestors and of your posterity.
(Excerpt) Read more at books.google.com ...
The leftists on blogs and newspaper comment boards are spraying out this argument that the Tea Parties 2009 are not in the same spirit of that of 1773. It's totally different circumstances, they say. We *have* representation, they say. The original Tea partiers would be ashamed of these events, they say.
So I decided ok, let's just see what the boys of '73 had to say.
Benjamin Rush was a Philadelphian, not a Bostonian, and he did not dump the tea. But his "Hamden" letter was said to be instrumental in causing Sam Adams and the Bostonians to take the action they did.
Use it well.
If we really wanted to emulate the founders, we would be tarring and feathering tax collectors, and burning IRS offices.
>If we really wanted to emulate the founders, we would be tarring and feathering tax collectors, and burning IRS offices.
You certainly know how to bring a smile to my face.
bump
That’s my goal in life. ;)
Well, not every Founder was a barnburner. I think Franklin wanted to reimburse the merchant for the tea! :)
I’m more of a firebrand. I identify more with Patrick Henry (probably the greatest American ever and a prophet).
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