Saint Croix Courier, St. Stephen, NB
February 9, 1893
GLIMPSES OF THE PAST
Contributions to the History of Charlotte County and the Border Towns.
LIV – THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS.
[Rev. W. O. Raymond, M. A.]
1- Introductory.
A master hand truly is that which must some day attempt to write from a non-partisan stand-point the history of the American Revolution-an event destined to leave a lasting impression on the future history of the American continent.
Of the Revolutionary struggle, a greater variety of opinion has been expressed and vastly more been written than of any other event in the entire history of America.
The subject has been reviewed from almost every possible standpoint, and he is a keen student of history who has read a tithe of the volumes dealing with the question which are to be found in the public libraries of the United States and Canada. ‘Of making many books there is no end!’ Nevertheless, the further the impartial reader pursues his researches in this well-trodden field, the more likely is he to arrive at the conclusion that the true history of the American Revolution has not yet been written.
This need not be a matter of surprise. The event is itself comparatively a matter of yesterday. Many of the leading actors have passed from the scene within the memories of those yet living. Old prejudices yet blind the vision and warp the better judgment of the would be impartial historian.
An instance of the truth of the last statement is to be found in Sabine’s work, ‘The Loyalists of the American Revolution.’ The author, in the pages of his book, has placed on record the results attained during twenty-five years of patient research. His indefatigable labors have brought to light facts of great interest which might otherwise have been irrecoverably lost. But Sabine’s book loses much of its interest for the Canadian reader, and much of its value as a historic work, from the fact that the information has been largely gleaned from sources strongly anti-British. (See list of authorities, page v., edition of A. D. 1864.) The information bearing on the lives of leading Loyalists is in some instances inaccurate. This is excusable and might naturally be expected. In other cases, however, combined with inaccuracy, will be found all the unfairness and even bitterness of a partisan writer. The student who has pursued independent investigation is forced to the conclusion that Colonel Sabine wrote, whether consciously or unconsciously, rather as a citizen of the great republic than as an impartial historian.
Hitherto the great bulk of what has been written concerning the American Revolution has been the work of United States writers.
Nearly every New England town of any importance has its local historian, who, with scarce an exception, records the events of the Revolutionary war from an ex parte stand point, enlarging upon the virtues and heroism of the ‘Patriots,’ and pointing the finger of scorn at the ‘Tory.’
From such sources the youth of the neighboring republic have for generations imbibed a strongly anti-British sentiment. Even in their school books there is the most extravagant glorification of the deeds of their forefathers, and a corresponding depreciation of their enemies. For over one hundred years the fourth of July has been celebrated with the booming of cannon and all the outward display that impresses the youthful mind, the rising generation always carefully instructed by the orator of the day to preserve the principles of their fathers, to cherish hatred of monarchy, and enmity towards Great Britain.
So much for the sentiment inspired by the every day history of the United States.
Whilst in Canada the events of the Revolutionary epoch have been viewed from a very different standpoint, we can hardly claim that it has been with us the standpoint of strict impartiality.
The prejudices entertained by the Loyalists against their old antagonists were very pronounced-not unnaturally so. They had received in many instances the harshest kind of treatment. They had lost their all by the event of the war. They had been obliged to sacrifice comfortable homes and all the endearments associated with their early years, to settle in an unknown wilderness where toil and privation awaited them. And lastly there was the natural bitterness arising out of the consciousness of a lost cause. Need it be a matter of surprise that the Loyalist should be disposed to record a version of the Revolution somewhat at variance with that generally received by the citizens of the United States?
The truth is that the events of this period have only of late years been calmly and temperately considered by the descendants of either party.
Both the United States and Canada have been making history since then. Our neighbors in the great republic have learned by experience, and in a way never to be forgotten, that ‘loyalty’ may be a virtue, the supporters of ‘the powers that be’ may be worthy of power, the upholders of a united nation may be true patriots. Throughout the dreadful fratricidal strife, the rallying cry of the North was, ‘The Union must and shall be preserved!’ and preserved it was, though at the cost of millions of money and half a million lives. The war of the Revolution is no longer the only one in which the powers of their nation has been conspicuously shown.
With the lapse of years the intense bitterness that once prevailed is passing away. Friendly intercourse promoted by the facilities of modern travelling has brought about a better understanding between the two English speaking peoples of the continent. Both are beginning to realize with greater appreciation the tie of blood and the bond of a common mother tongue, and to cherish with equal affection the common heritage of the Anglo-Saxon race in the traditions of the past whence has been handed down to either people a common Christianity and kindred institutions and laws.
Nothing, perhaps, so remarkably shows the altered sentiment generally entertained regarding the events of the American Revolution as the desire now manifested by either party to learn the opinions and investigate the records of those who wrote from the opposite standpoint. The historical societies of the United States gladly welcome to their shelves all documents and records which give a description of the stirring events of Revolutionary times, even though written by the ‘ultra-Tory.’ Eventually the historian will be greatly aided in his task by comparing and contrasting the statements made by the respective partisans. The account of the Royalist, compared with the like account of the Revolutionist, may suggest the happy medium which shall most nearly approximate the sober truth.
Correction: Article LV contains the following correction to this one: "The second sentence in the thirteenth paragraph of the last article should have read thus:-
Our neighbors in the great republic have learned by experience, and in a way never to be forgotten, that ‘loyalty’ may be a virtue, the supporters of ‘the powers that be’ may be worthy of honor, the upholders of a united nation may be true patriots."
Correction: Article LXX contains the following correction to this one: "In the eighth line of the thirteenth paragraph for ‘worthy of power,’ read ‘worthy of honor.’"