may continue?"

"Yes!... Go on!... We will hear you!..." were the several acclamations
from the throng.

Anderson heard it with perceptible confusion. He fumbled nervously with
his fingers, wholly ignorant of what to say.

"Let me ask, then," said Stephen, "if the idea of independence is wholly
exclusive of religious toleration. Why are we, a mere handful of men,
about to pledge ourselves to the accomplishment by force of arms what
already is accomplished in our very midst? Freedom of religious worship
is already assured. The several actions of the colonial governing bodies
lend us that assurance. England can do no more for us than already has
been done; and what has been done by the Colonies will be guaranteed by
the elective body of the people in the days of independence. I am
fearful of the hazards that will accompany this enlistment. Give me
leave to address you on this topic that you may understand my troubled
state of mind. I appeal to you. Give me leave to talk."

Whether it was the spontaneous sound issuing from the ranks of those
already initiated into the secret, or whether a chord already attuned in
the hearts and minds of the entire assembly, had been marvelously struck
by him, there was a reverberation of approval throughout the room in
answer to Stephen's plea. So unanimous was the demonstration that
Anderson took alarm. The air of democracy was revealing itself in their
instinctive enthusiasm. And while nothing might result from Stephen's
rambling remarks, still it would afford them consolation that their side
of the question had been aired. To a man they voiced their approval of
the privilege which had been begged.

"Aye!... Speech!... Take the floor!"

CHAPTER VIII

I

"I have no desire to make a speech," Stephen began, "but I have asked
for this privilege of addressing you because we are moving through
critical times and because there are serious decisions to be made this
evening, which it is neither right nor possible for us to make without a
full consideration of the state of affairs. I have devoted much serious
thought to this subject. I have labored to arrive at a just conclusion,
and it is in that spirit that I would speak. I feel, too, that I have an
inalienable right as a free-born citizen to express my views freely and
publicly, as befits a loyal adherent of the principles which we are now
defending with our blood. And first among those principles is that which
guarantees rep