I know not of a more gratifying fact
in the Revolution than this, and I may venture to say that it is one
whose importance has been sometimes overlooked.
The spirit of patriotic Boston was the spirit of every municipality
in the province, and there is no instance of devotion superior to that
manifested by all when Boston was the special object of ministerial
wrath. Her injuries were felt by each town as though the blow were
aimed at its own independence and integrity. And so in fact it was.
But had Boston even fallen there were still strongholds of rebellion
throughout the province, and the principles of the revolution would
have survived.
Nor did the towns cease their efforts when they had voted supplies for
the prosecution of the war. They took part early in favor of
independence. In every town men sprung up equal to the crisis which
existed. Our local histories will bear to posterity resolutions as
immortal in sentiment and principle as the Declaration of Independence
itself. The resolutions of the neighboring towns of Concord express
the views of Massachusetts towns. They say: "As men we have a right
to life, liberty and property; as Christians, we in this land (blessed
be God for it) have a right to worship God according to the dictates
of our own consciences; and as subjects we have a right to personal
security, personal liberty, and private property.
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