From the Radio Free Michigan archives ftp://141.209.3.26/pub/patriot If you have any other files you'd like to contribute, e-mail them to bj496@Cleveland.Freenet.Edu. ------------------------------------------------ The Sons of Liberty. By a son of Liberty of Virginia In 1760 there was a man in London. A Rogue. A large, hard drinking rogue, named John Wilkes. John Wilkes carried a staff, he called it his liberty staff, Upon its top hung the damnedest looking oiled-paper lampshade, upon which was inscribed - Liberty & Property! - This little irate man published a newsletter, I believe it was called something like the Penny Advertiser - there was little advertising, there was a great deal of political browbeating. This man finally ran an editorial, that asserted that a man is a sovereign unto himself, and in fact may be governed only by his consent - This was an open challenge to the SOVEREIGN (the king's authority) - This article appeared in Issue #45 of his newsletter. John Wilkes was the first POPULIST. He introduced to the pompous dandy's that sat (obediently) in parliament, as well as to the masses. the idea that an elected official must represent the interests of the 'people'. HE was the first politician to popularize the term 'arrogance of power' (in recent history 'o course). He faced off against the prime minister of his day, the Kings agent, a Sir Edward Bute... When the grumblings of the Americans' displeasure with the abuses by His Majesties tax authorities using "writs of Assistance" unjustly, were summarily dismissed, one old Military man stood up, A man who had fought along side the Americans in the French And Indian War, who truly admired the spirits there, who said 'We must not discount the spirit of those Sons of Liberty' And a phrase was born. John Wilkes was imprisoned for his issue #45, though he brought Women and wine up to his quarters without trouble.., Citizenry marched by torchlight through the streets.....for his release... In America, John Wilkes legend grew as large as the distance to England, he was the hero of the American Sons of Liberty. In Boston they would meet in the long room over a Tavern, that was the Dragon Tavern, but was called the green Dragon, as the copperplate dragon had long since turned green, and the sign hung so low that one would hit it easily with great noise (and amusement) as one staggered out at night into the blackness. The members of this group included Paul Revere, Sam Adams, James Otis, and many who wished never to be acknowledged. It is also noteworthy that Thomas Pain, born in England, read the newsletters published by John Wilkes, before coming to America, and changing his name to Thomas Paine. (The florish after he signed his name became confused to be an e...so he changed it to avoid confusion). From time to time, a tree would be dedicated for the as a Liberty Tree... It would be festooned with imagery - A BOOT with a Demon popping out, (Evil lord Bute) the number 45, An effigy of a tax collector or unpopular government official, tarred and feathered, Liberty and Property posters...People would pass by and kneel and bow and pay great affected homage to these effigies hanging from that tree of Liberty (Typically an Elm) The infamous Stamp Tax was a way to raise money by taxing documents, legal forms, the press, bills of laden, and especially posters - most especially political type posters that lampooned the tyrannical activities of petty public officials. 100 years later when Lincoln was shot the man, while being dragged off, screamed to a reporter that his name was JOHN WILKES BUTE...The reporter got it wrong, and wrote Booth! And that's the rest of that story. But I digress...back to the 1760's.. In Rhode Island 1766 (first to revolt - last to Union), , Silas Downer, and other Sons of Liberty met at the Old Tavern near Market Square. Providence. From his "letter to the Sons of Liberty in New York, ... "My property is very small, but I have much liberty, and I will die a Martyr to it before I will yield it. I want not to say or do the least thing incompatible with Civil government, but I cannot, I will not, yield myself to Chains and Servitude. I will enjoy my property and that liberty I was born heir to, so far as is consistent with the Rules of Society. A civil society is no other than a Combination to protect each other; but despotic Rule is a Rape upon men's rights; and most Governments which are despotic and arbitrary are so far from being Evidences of Prudence and Forecaste, that they evince the Depravity of Human Nature." What is LIBERTY? At the dedication of the Tree of Liberty 1766 Silas Downer said: "We do therefore, in the name and behalf of all the true SONS of LIBERTY in America, Great-Britain, Corsica, Ireland or wheresoever they are dispersed throughout the world, dedicate and solemnly devote this tree to be a TREE of LIBERTY.---May all our councils and deliberations under its venerable branches be guided by wisdome, and directed to the support and maintenance of that liberty, which our forefathers sought out and found under trees and in the wilderness.--May it long flourish, and may the SONS of LIBERTY often repair hither, to confirm and strengthen each other.---When they look towards the sacred ELM, may they be penetrated with a sense of duty to themselves, their country, and their posterity:--And may they, like the house of David, grow stronger and stronger, while their enemies, like the house of Saul, grow weaker and weaker. AMEN In Charleston South Carolina, an informal group of Artisans banded together as "THE SONS OF LIBERTY", Edward McCready in his histories of the revolution, refers to them as the first party to move actively towards revolution. These Artisans were Cabinetmakers, Barrel formers(called Coopers), Craftsmen, locksmiths, tinkers, and carpenters, builders of Ships, Silversmiths, & Blacksmiths. They worked with their hands. Meanwhile in Virginia, Instigated by Patrick Henry, the then governing body at the time, called the House of Burgesses adopted the "Virginia Resolves" in 1765 They went so much further than the actions taken by the Massachusetts Patriots, that James Otis, was shocked and even pronounced the doctrine of taxation without representation as treason. Oxenbridge Thatcher, the Representative from Boston to the Massachusetts General Court commented at the time, about the Virginians, "Oh, yes, they are men! They are noble spirits! It kills me to think of the lethargy that prevails here." (Referring to Massachusetts) Thus began a race between Virginia and Massachusetts for leadership against British Tyranny. This rivalry was important in precipitating the revolutionary war. All of this was occurring during a period of economic depression in the colonies. Tyranny! The concept of Taxation without representation applies to us here and now this instant. For I ask you, IF our representatives are BY MAJORITY under the control of BIG MONEY and SPECIAL INTERESTS and doing THEIR bidding, then, They no longer represent YOU, the taxpaying citizen who pays the bills, and you, therefore, have no cause to continue to support these scoundrels who insist on pouring our hard earned money down a RATHOLE of government waste corruption, special interests, and porkbarrel polities, while COLLECTING MONEY by intimidation, and confiscation at the HIGHEST TAX RATE IN MODERN HISTORY!! IS THIS NOT TYRANNY? IS THIS NOT TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION? ARE YOU AND I MORALLY, SOCIALLY, OR TRULY LEGALLY BOUND TO CONTINUE TO FUND THIS LEGALIZED BANDITRY? !! and outright perversion of the principles of the Constitution, & The Bill of Rights, & The concept of Liberty that created this nation? LONG LIVE THE SONS OF LIBERTY. By A Son of Liberty of Virginia Rx for Liberty - Make 10 copies & pass them on. ------------------------------------------------ (This file was found elsewhere on the Internet and uploaded to the Radio Free Michigan archives by the archive maintainer. All files are ZIP archives for fast download. E-mail bj496@Cleveland.Freenet.Edu)