PAGE 10, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16. 1980. WHITBY FREE PRESS Ou r htistorcal heritage.... Whitbyites fought in 1837 rebellon By EUGENE HENRY Durlig the period of early seWtement in the Whitby area (1800 - 1830) aur im- migrant ancestors were governed by professionail soldiers (like John Graves movement froni "Moderates" who sought change at the ballot box ta "Activists" like William Lyon Mackenzie who su!> scribed ta, a "Violence if necessary" approach ta Postmaster John Warren of Whitby were involved witb him in planning for 4"4organized resistance" ta the goverrment on many issues. They did not buy at ail bis oppostion ta gover- upon his supporters ta, take up arins and march upon the governinent in Toronto. The whole affair was poorly organized, il-equipped and short lived. A few volleys were exchanged an Yonge poorly-ciressed raw-boned, farniers in the rebels cause. This illustration by C.W. Jeffreys catches beautifully the determination and dedication of Mackenzie's little band. While short-lived the "rebeilion" brougbt results and reform. Lard Durham came out from Britain because of the fuss and sub- stantial measures of con- stitutional reform were secured for ail Canadians via his report. After the relbellion progress would focus upon growtb, the role of finance in development and the em- ployment of men as our country turned gradually ta an industrial economy from an agricultural way of life. Simcoe) anai a closely knit group of officers and aides from the upper-class landed aristocracy of England and this powerful littie clique became widely known across Upper Canada ini those days as the Famlly Compact. Well bred Anglican Chur- cbmen gravitated naturally to this ruling group for protection of their vast clergy reserves of land and we can see now in ail this the roots of the Tory party in Canada and the emergence of the white, Anglo-Saxon, protestant communlty ini this country as a power base that bas cbanged but littie over the years. In the beginning our first farmer/settlers needed the protection of the colonial milltary establishmnent along with a good and strong immigration policy. This they got, as tbey tailed ta clear their land and raise t.heir families. In ail of this they were highly motivated by the first found freedams of owning their own land in a new and emerging country. Gradually, however, a ground swell of dissent across al of Upper Canada started ta develop. A reform movement was born and there was a wide spectrum of polical beliefs witbin the GIRLS' SOFTBALL The Whitby Girls' Atbletic Association wil bold their registration for the 1980 girls, softball season on April 19 between 10 a.m. and 2 pan. in the lobby of the iroquois Park Arena . The league is open to ail girls between the ages of seven and 18. The cost is $15 for the first girl in eacb family, $10 for the second girl ini the same family and $5 for each other girl, also in the saine family. For more information cal Miles Summners,*t 668-8M5. reforin. There were niany abuses tbat called for varying degrees of reform but at the heart and core of it ail, was the Tory basic philosophical concept that ail men were not equal but divinely or- dained to passively accept their raie in life as tbose wha are governed by an elite corps of rich and landed' "governors" closely linked witb a national church. Reforin was slow in coming. Ten years passed in debating the issues then in 1837 a short terni depression in the economy brought the developing political dissent to a head and Whitby men were involved in the plans for action. We must be mindful of tbe fact the William Lyon Mackenzie was in the beginf- ning a newspaper editor and polical tbeorist. It was bis frustration witb the Tory goverinment over time, however, that turned hum eventually int a man of violence. He travelled widely tbrougbout Upper Canada making speches and' developing contacts with local people. Joesph Gould of Uxbridge was bis closest ally in this part of the country. There is no doubt, however, that men like James Dryden, A.M. Farewell, Peter Perry and rment spending and debt financing. Then ane cold December day in 1837 Mackenzie called Street in the north end of the City. There were about 1,000 troops and a motley crew of ---- WÂTER BEDS, UNLIMITED ----- - I Wholesale &Retail Distribution of Wateeds& Accesouies. Discou nti 1 B For AUI "dents in the Durham Rogion 1 ComhteCh~~îd~ -on poesentaio of this ad. &S Shwm Fofl aout to Qun 8 Oe. ÏdOt Cher MA e la milable .CoMplOte paCkag eas Shon lnchad-orh t 20 g14 mttes guèranteI I icletaliwadboaandtnerlce $399 CALL ÀANYTIMEi >p*de. ln and rmIck I , Toronto, 2124 Bloo St W. 769-4596 I Bmmpton, 239 Queen St 457-5984 Toods, Tution, Supplies, Services WOOD AND THfINOS 316 Abert St.,Oshawa 723-5165 J DENTURE THERAPY CLINIC 111 DUNDAS STREET WEST WHITBY 668-1484 Here's What DALE CARNEGIE TRAINING CAN DO FOR YOU * Incroaso Poie &Confidence " Communficate Efflclently " Spaak Effectlveiy " Ssii yourîoif and your Ideas " Be at your boit with any group " Romombor Names " Think and Speak on your foot " Contrai tension and anxiety " Be a botter conversationaiist " Deveiop your hidden abilities " Win a botter job, more incarne WHITBYIAJAX CLASS NOW FORMING For f urther Information cmii: 576-6989 Presented by K. D. Crono & Assoc. Inc.