Repudiation by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 18, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 16.

Repudiation

By Editor

Repudiation.—When Great Britain imposed a tax upon her American colonists, the colonists declared that "taxation without representation was tyranny." In 1773 all taxes were removed, save that on tea—threepence a pound. Export duty was remitted to the East India Company, so as to furnish the tea to the Americans as cheaply as tho it were duty free. "But," as Lossing tells us, "there was a principle which the colonists would not yield. However small the tax, if levied without their consent, they regarded it as oppressive." "It was not the petty amount of the duties imposed, for none of this species of taxation was burdensome; it was the principle involved, which lay at the foundation of their liberties." Then followed the "Boston Tea Party." Two and one-half years later the great dominant major chord of human liberty was struck in the Declaration of Independence, one of the notes of which was that "governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed." Nearly 124 years later the American Congress repudiates the principle by imposing upon Puerto Rico tariff contrary to Puerto Rico's protest, and the protest of eminent Americans of all classes and parties. Just as we are closing our forms, word comes that the bill has passed the Senate 40 to 31. Practically, it only awaits the signature of the President to become a law. We do not mention this as a political measure. It is a matter of divine prophecy which this nation is fulfilling—it is the beginning of the end.