Conspectus of Political History.
Colonial.
Colonial politics.—The colonists were not divided among themselves by political parties; but they advocated sentiments adverse to those of the British crown, in regard to government, trade, and taxation.
Local self-government, the colonies maintained, was secured to them by their charters, which were regarded in the light of civil compacts, not to be changed without the consent of the parties thereto. By virtue of these instruments, and the rights of Englishmen, guaranteed by the magna charta, the colonies also “claimed the exclusive supervision over all internal interests, and the sole right to levy and collect taxes.” They consented that Parliament had the reserved right to regulate commerce, but not to adjust the internal trade of the colonies.
Indirect taxation upon the colonies was attempted as soon as they were favored with prosperity. This was regarded unjust, and protests against the aggressions of Parliament were made by several legislatures. Plymouth protested in 1636, and for the next thirty years other colonies followed the example.
Navigation laws, enacted from time to time, annoyed the colonies after the year 1651. They were odious, among other reasons, because they generally required colonial exports and imports to be carried in English ships, and forced the colonies to trade with England and pay high duty on their products.
Inter-colonial duties, in 1672, upon various articles of trade, were imposed by the parent country for the first time. Manufacturing establishments soon sprang up to counteract this illiberal policy, but these were interdicted and crippled by British authority, and followed by other oppressive measures.
Direct taxation on the colonies was attempted in 1765, by means of the Stamp Act. It provided that all legal documents should be executed upon paper bearing a stamp for which the English government charged a specific price. This was resented by the colonies with indignation, protests, and alarm, and was followed by a series of aggressions upon the local self-government of the colonists, who, when civil measures had been exhausted in behalf of their cause, resorted to arms.
The War of the Revolution began in 1775, and was waged one year against the mother country for a redress of grievances; but being unable to obtain this, the colonies declared themselves free and independent.
Revolutionary.
Origin of parties.—When the Revolutionary war began (1775), the questions at issue between the British ministry and the colonists gave rise, among the latter, to the Whig and the Tory party. These were the names of the two great political parties in England, but they lost in America the significance which they had in the parent country. The line of difference between the parties, for the first fifteen months of hostilities, was drawn by the terms on which the connection of the colonies with England should continue. “The Whigs wished to remain colonists on condition that their rights would be guaranteed to them;” the Tories were willing to thus remain without such guarantee. After the
Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Whigs advocated absolute separation from Great Britain, while the Tories supported the cause of the Crown. The declaration was moved in Congress, June 7th, by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, in these words: “Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” A formal declaration was then prepared, and adopted on the 4th of July.
The Whig party was composed of those Americans who favored the principles for which the Revolutionary war was fought, and drew into its ranks nearly all the clergy, except those of the Episcopal faith; the major part of the lawyers; a large proportion of the physicians; and many “young men who had their fortunes to make and distinctions to win.” “Sons of Liberty” and “Liberty Men” were Whigs. Those of this party who took an active part in the struggle for independence were
