Page:Republican Court by Rufus Griswold.djvu/56

When the contest began, it was at once seen that a recognized union of some kind among the colonies was essential. From New Hampshire to Georgia there was indeed the same proud spirit, which refused to brook oppression; brave hearts were every where roused to resistance, and strong arms were every where ready to strike: but concentrated and harmonious purpose and action were indispensable. The sagacious mind of Franklin saw this at once; nor was he now for the first time alive to this necessity. If he had not originated, he had at least sketched a plan of union for the colonies, in the convention of colonial delegates at Albany, in 1754; and this, as the historian has remarked, "was the first official suggestion of what grew afterwards to be our present federal Constitution." That plan was rejected by the colonies: the time for it was not yet; but at last the auspicious period had arrived once more to propose a recognition of the great principle of confederated unity.

As early, therefore, as the summer of 1775, Dr. Franklin submitted to Congress articles of confederation, and, in a certain contingency, of perpetual union among the colonies: these were not then finally acted on. Had they, however, been adopted, they would have united the colonies in a simple league only, until the terms of reconciliation proposed by the previous Congress, in a petition to the king, should be agreed to, until reparation should be made for injuries done to Boston and Charlestown, until restraints upon commerce and the fisheries should be removed, and until all British troops should be withdrawn from America. In the event of refusal by the crown in these particulars, the confederation would have been perpetual, but not otherwise. In truth the feeling of a majority of the colonists was to endure as long as possible, before a final rupture; and much the larger portion of the congress itself would have rejoiced in an honorable reconciliation. Some,