First Steps to Freedom: A Farmer Challenges Parliament
John Dickinson Writes Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania (1767 — 68)
Sometimes, the most powerful voices for freedom don’t come from generals or politicians, but from farmers. In 1767, John Dickinson, a Pennsylvania lawyer who styled himself simply as a “farmer,” picked up his pen and sparked a movement. His Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania challenged British authority at a time when the colonies were still reeling from the Stamp Act and facing a new wave of taxes under the Townshend Acts.
A Clear and Calm Challenge
Dickinson’s argument was straightforward: Parliament had no right to tax the colonies without their consent. That principle struck a nerve. His letters were reprinted in newspapers across the colonies and read aloud in taverns, town halls, and churches. Though calm in tone, Dickinson’s words carried weight. He wasn’t calling for rebellion; he was defending constitutional rights and warning that liberty was being chipped away, one law at a time.
Speaking to all People, Not Just the Powerful
What made Dickinson’s stand so significant was that he spoke not just to elites, but to everyday people. He believed that freedom depended on an informed and engaged public, ready to push back when government overstepped its bounds. His letters helped unify the colonies and laid the groundwork for broader resistance that would soon follow.
A Spirit That Lives On
At Americans for Prosperity, we believe that same spirit lives on. You don’t need a title or a podium to make a difference. Whether you are challenging bad policy in your community or advocating for limited government in your state, real change still begins the same way: with one voice willing to speak up.
What Step Will You Take?
John Dickinson took that step with ink and principle.
The question now is: what will your step be? Take your first step at afpvolunteer.com
