America celebrates July 4th to commemorate the founding of the county by the Declaration of Independence, adopted that day in 1776, although the war which secured American freedom from European rule continued for seven more years. The birth date of self government, like the birthday of any person, only marks the beginning of long journey filled with challenges and changes. So on July 4, 2005 I thought it appropriate to briefly recall the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion which flared up in July of that long ago year.
“This 1794 insurrection was caused, in part, by the lack of federal courts (which necessitated trips to Philadelphia for trial), large numbers of absentee landlords, lack of protection from the Indians, lack of access to the Mississippi River and the high excise tax on whiskey. President George Washington ordered 12,000 to 13,000 troops to the Washington Pennsylvania area. This was the first test of the power of the new government”From the moment of creation of the United States there was a cultural and political distinction between the cities of the east coast and the settlers on the western side of the Appalachian Mountains. British military forces remained in North America after the revolution, controlling Canada and disputing control of land in the west. The newly formed American Government faced with the need to defend theses lightly settled lands decided to tax whiskey distilled in this region to fund the military presence.
The excise tax was imposed upon the source of the whiskey, and the capacity of each still was taxed regardless of actual production or the production actually shipped for sale. Registration of each still was required in June each year forcing owners travel to distant tax offices. The Whiskey Tax became the issue through which independent minded western settlers vented their frustration with the new government. In addition to the unpopular tax there were also the concerns about security, commerce, land ownership rights and the newly formed judicial system.
As organized resistance to the Whiskey Tax developed, harassment and defiance of the tax collectors increased. President George Washington was forced to confront the problem. He responded by sending an army of almost 13,000 troops under the command of Gen. Harry Lee, the Governor of Virginia. Suspected insurrection members were detained and taken to Philadelphia for trial, but the following summer President Washington granted amnesty to virtually all the detained individuals.
As an episode in the evolution of our country the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 was instrumental in shaping the future principles of American self-governance. This small revolt of frontier settlers helped blunt Hamiltonian Federalist Party efforts to create a single powerful central government and affirmed that America is an association of United States. Perhaps most importantly it set a very early precedent that citizens have the right to criticize a government that ultimately derives it’s authority from the will of the citizens.
“It did publicize some of the problems the settlers were having with the government, gave the newly formed government a chance to flex its muscles and, in a sense, redefined the word treason to permit disagreement with the government without being considered treasonous.”It is also a good reminder that the American Revolution never ended. The struggle for individual liberty and justice within a limited and voter controlled government continues.
