IV - Religious Liberty in the Revolution

Summary

In the decade prior to the Revolution the surface signs of Pennsylvania's commitment to religious liberty and the equality of denominations seemed little changed. The Quaker party remained the dominant power in the assembly and Friends constituted, between 1761 and 1774, from 42 to 50 percent of the representatives. Ministers in the meeting continued to complain about the corruptions of politics, but the political Friends insisted that the protection of the liberties of the colonists and the preservation of the traditions of William Penn demanded their continuance in office. Those active in the Quaker party as justices of the peace and assemblymen were not important figures in the Yearly Meeting. Joseph Galloway, leader of the Quaker party since Franklin was in England, was at best a nominal Friend who did not use the plain style of dress and speech and did not believe in pacifism. He catered to the desires of Friends because his electoral majority depended upon the support of Quaker-dominated Chester and Bucks counties. Jonathan Dickinson, leader of the opposition, married a Quaker and attended meetings but was not a member nor a pacifist. Political leadership remained largely in the hands of the English-Americans with few Germans or Scots-Irish holding office.

Originally, the Proprietary party had been an alliance of Presbyterians and Anglicans, the Quaker party a blending of sectarians, Germans, and those English and Scots-Irish who approved of the assembly's policies. During the agitation and approach of the American Revolution these coalitions tended to break down.