ms." With a foreboding of the probable consequences of the
measure about to be adopted, and a wish that those consequences should
be seriously contemplated, a leading member[224] thus addressed the
meeting:

"It is not, Mr. Moderator, the spirit that vapours within these walls
that must stand us in stead. The exertions of this day will call forth
events which will make a very different spirit necessary for our
salvation. Whoever supposes that shouts and hosannahs will terminate
the trials of the day, entertains a childish fancy. We must be grossly
ignorant of the importance and value of the prize for which we
contend; we must be equally ignorant of the power of those who have
combined against us; we must be blind to that malice, inveteracy, and
insatiable revenge, which actuate our enemies, public and private,
abroad and in our bosoms, to hope that we shall end this controversy
without the sharpest, sharpest conflicts;--to flatter ourselves that
popular resolves, popular harangues, popular acclamations, and popular
vapour, will vanquish our foes. Let us consider the issue. Let us look
to the end. Let us weigh and consider, before we advance to those
measures, which must bring on the most trying and terrible struggle
this country ever saw."[225]

[Footnote 223: The language said by Mr. Gordon to have been
used at this meeting proves that many of the people of
Boston were already ripe for the revolution. To the more
cautious among "_the sons of liberty_" who had expressed
some apprehensions lest they should push the matter too far,
and involve the colony in a quarrel with Great Britain,
others answered "It must come to a quarrel between Great
Britain and the colony sooner or later; and if so what can
be a better time than the present? Hundreds of years may
pass away before parliament will make such a number of acts
in violation as it has done of late years, and by which it
has excited so formidable an opposition to the measures of
administration. Besides, the longer the contest is delayed,
the more administration will be strengthened. Do not you
observe how the government at home are increasing their
party here by sending over young fellows to enjoy
appointments, who marry into our best families, and so
weaken the opposition? By such means, and by multiplying
posts and places, and giving them to their own friends, or
ap