Letter: Historical anniversary highlights democracy

Democracy fans,

The 250th (!) anniversary of the 1772 “Boston Resolves” occurs Nov. 20 [wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Pamphlet].

Boston’s Town Meeting approved statements of rights, and of grievances against Parliament. The immediate instigation for these Resolves occurred when the Crown, instead of the colonial legislature, started paying the governor and Superior Court judges, which eliminated the legislature’s influence over these Crown appointees. It was one in a long line of infringements, and they knew that worse was coming.

With their colonial legislature, well-regulated militia, town meetings, and elections open to nearly all men, Massachusetts colonists governed themselves democratically. Boston sent printed copies of the Resolves to other Massachusetts towns, who enthusiastically approved them. The towns’ coordinated resistance stymied Parliament’s new laws. When Britain tried to force its dictatorial administration on America, the people fought to keep their democracy, and won.

Antidemocratic forces have always been strong. Democratic elections and processes are not to be given up. And when there is greater democratic political activity and participation, we can peacefully defend democracy and address our toughest problems.

Tim Lillard
Newfield, NY