by Pappy October 31st, 2007, Posted in: History

I’m a history buff, plain and simple, and what I like most about history is the act of re-discovery.

The snippet of events taught to you during History class in school is rarely accurate, and usually meant to paint and glorify our heroes in the most dignified light. Reality, on the other hand, is so much more detailed, vivid, and rich with the humanity of our fore bearers.

Take for instance, the most recent period I’ve taken to reading about: the American Revolution.

Note, I’m not talking so much about the Revolutionary War, but the mindset and sense of rugged individualism that eventually led to the War for Independence. The period of the Revolution really began in 1763, as unpopular taxation and colonial control measures began pouring out of the British Parliament. Although most American school children will tell you King George III was responsible, the real architects of this heavy-handed management of British colonies in North America were Prime Minister George Grenville, Charles Townsend, and other British politicians seeking to resolve rather stifling economic and taxation problems at home in England. From 1763 through 1773 they passed a series of acts designed to recover the national debt via trade controls and new taxes. Meanwhile, in the colonies loyalty to the British crown remained high, but these acts became increasingly unpopular and caused many colonists to examine their place in the British empire on a larger scale than simply economics.

And so were born the Sons of Liberty.

Contrary to modern belief, the Sons of Liberty were originally nothing more than a political action group. Their main focus was on generating a groundswell of opposition to the enforcement of these new trade and tax acts, and on coordinating the participation of colonial assemblies in that opposition. Their members included well known names such as Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and James Otis. They were often at odds with more radical, street level groups who also used the name Sons of Liberty, who saw action and violence as the best way to attempt redress of British wrongs.

But what of their personalities? What was it like to participate with them in the furtherance of their political beliefs? One case in particular, I think, demonstrates the group mind and sense of comradery between the Sons of Liberty more than any other.

In June of 1768, things were coming to a head in Boston. Several of John Hancock’s ships had been seized on trumped up charges in an attempt at criminalizing and discrediting this very influential man. The Sons of Liberty held a meeting at Faneuil Hall, also know as the “Cradle of Liberty”, and determined to send a petition to Massachusetts governor Francis Bernard, asking that these heavy-handed tactics of the British be stopped. Several days later, on order from London, the governor appears before the Massachusetts assembly, requesting that it stop participating in attempts to unite the colonies in resistance to the Townsend Act.

After hours of debate, a vote was taken, with 92 in favor of continued resistance and 17 against. The governor had proved totally unable to deal with the assembly as the king’s agent. Most telling, however, is how the Sons of Liberty celebrated this victory.

Later that evening a party was held in Boston, with much fanfare and public participation. These gentlemen, our forefathers whom we treat as such saints and with much reverence, partied as if they had already won the fast approaching war. No less than 92 toasts were made that night to their victory; one for every patriot who struck a blow against British rule with their votes. 92 toasts. Let me say that again: 92 toasts. Think back to your most raucous college party days. Did you ever attend a party where 92 drinks were consumed by every one in attendance who could still stand?

These guys knew damn good and well how to party.

It is that youthful, rebellious, celebratory attitude that won our independence as a nation. It’s gotten us into plenty of trouble as a nation over the years as well, but that spirit is the definition of America. May we never lose it.

Party on, dude!

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