Voices of the American Revolution | Gary Habenicht

Some time ago, I was asked by a friend with whom I share a mutual interest in the history of this great country of ours, to write something about it. Both of us are particularly drawn to the early history; centered around the years leading up to and following the American Revolution and the patriots who influenced the thinking and subsequent decisions that ultimately led to the formation of the greatest experiment of self government ever devised.

Some time ago, I was asked by a friend with whom I share a mutual interest in the history of this great country of ours, to write something about it. Both of us are particularly drawn to the early history; centered around the years leading up to and following the American Revolution and the patriots who influenced the thinking and subsequent decisions that ultimately led to the formation of the greatest experiment of self government ever devised.

This idea of self determination and personal freedom is a concept that we as Americans may take for granted. After all, it has been part of our culture for a long time now. But there are murmurings of concern being expressed throughout the land as to the future of our country. Our accumulative debt, a sluggish economy and a war against an ideology that poses a great threat to our concept of freedom weigh us down. We look for, hope for, and pray for solutions from our leaders when in reality part of the solutions must come from us, regular Americans.

As we approach Independence Day, it is helpful I believe, to reach back in time and reflect on some of the things our rebellious patriots were saying and why they were saying them. I would have to think that what they were thinking and worrying about was a lot more serious in many respects to what we are thinking and worrying about today. After all, if they failed, many of them would be hunted down, hung or jailed and their property confiscated by the Crown.

Just as in revolutionary times, we are able to communicate our opinions and views through traditional letters to the editor, town hall meetings and face to face encounters. Now we can twitter, face book, e-mail and blog; high speed stuff to get the word out. During the American Revolution, the power of the press was critically important; however, more important was the means to spread the word. News was shared up and down the coast throughout the Colonies. Associations within the Colonies were formed mainly to help fellow citizens and distribute information as to what was going on. Same with the “Sons of Liberty” who kept tabs on King George and England’s efforts to corral the reckless “Americans”. Committees of Correspondence were formed and their purpose was to have trusted couriers deliver papers and pamphlets from colony to colony.

The confusing part for Americans today is finding out the truth. Whether it’s global warming, cap and trade, health care, bail outs, crooked politicians, corrupt corporations or simply leaders without a clue, we seek the truth. Americans will figure it out because the truth is there. We just need to do the hard work of asking questions and sorting it all out.

As a source of simple wisdom regarding sorting it all out, I offer commentary by Mercy Otis Warren, an outspoken patriot of the cause. She was remarking about the heavy hand of government and an ever increasing tax burden being placed on colonial Americans.

“But as might have been observed, that it would require a great number of years, and many contingent events, to reconcile the inhabitants of the United States to the taxing of houses, lands, hearths, window lights, and all the conveniences of life, as in England. Not the necessity of extracting themselves from old foreign debts, nor newly contracted expenses for exigencies or projects, which they had considered unnecessary in a republican government, could suddenly lead a people generally to acquiesce in measures, to which they had heretofore been strangers. The artificial creation of expenses by those who deem a public department a public blessing, will easily suggest plausible pretenses for taxation, until every class is burdened to the utmost stretch of forbearance, and the great body of the people reduced to penury and slavery.” Mercy Warren 1805

Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814) was a poet, historian and letter writer. Warren wrote the most complete and radical history of the Revolution. After the Revolution, she sided with the Republicans, even though John and Abigail Adams –both Federalists – were her best friends.