Ohio History Journal

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Editorialana

Editorialana.                       223

 

injustices, combined with the unfair and oppressive policy of Governor

Berkeley, and his failure to quell the Indian uprisings led at last to the

rebellion of the downtrodden planters under the leadership of Na-

thaniel Bacon, a descendant of Lord Bacon. Bacon led the planters

successfully against the Indians and protected the frontiers, then drove

out Berkeley and remained master of Virginia until his death a few

months later, when Berkeley once more assumed control. Then oc-

curred a systematic and wholesale persecution of the rebels, which

lasted, contrary to the King's commands, until Berkeley was recalled to

England.

Affairs in Virginia were becoming more and more confused. The

people no longer supported the King and his royal governor, but con-

tested for their own rights and privileges. This feeling became stronger

with the efforts of Charles II. and James II. to curb their independence

and bring them more closely under royal control. The House of Bur-

gesses showed itself ready to protest to the King himself rather than obey

his unwise commands, and the Burghers and rich planters, descendants

of English aristocracy though they were, refused to give up any of the

people's privileges. During Lord Howard's administration many of the

powers of the House were curtailed, but their political experience was

deeply extended. The revolution of 1688 and the accession to the throne

of the Protestant rulers, William and Mary, were joyfully welcomed by

the colony. The liberal policies and consideration for colonial affairs

adopted by these rulers were continued to the great advantage of Vir-

ginia until George III's attempts to encroach upon the American col-

onists' rights established during this period resulted in the Revolution a

century later.

We can recommend this work as one of the most valuable contribu-

tions to American history, and it may be regarded as a conclusive and

authoritative source for the student of history and politics of this period

of colonial days.

 

WOMEN OF OHIO.

Ohio historians and writers, numerous and brilliant though their

works have been, have for the most part neglected a fertile field of

interesting and important material-that of the work of the women

of Ohio. Many well-known names and influential characters are enrolled in

the list of Ohio's daughters, adopted as well as native, and their lives and

experiences make a fascinating study which the body of Ohio citizens

should be made familiar with, especially in these days when the women

are awakening to new interest in themselves and in their State.

In the early frontier days, great women, strong and hardy pioneers,

marched shoulder to shoulder with their adventurous husbands, shar-

ing all the labors, hardships and dangers, and helping to snatch a home