BEDFORDGAZETTE.COM • 2026-01-14

Herman Husband

Herman Husband (1724–1795) was a radical, pacifist, pamphleteer, and preacher, who was best known in Western Pennsylvania as a leader and spokesman of the Whiskey Rebellion.





A true enigma.  For a pacifist, he is associated with a lot of violence.  Herman did not understand what his speech did to people.  It pushed them over the edge.

Herman brilliantly articulated the people's anger.  He gave it a righteous framework, but Herman had no control over the kinetic energy his framework unleashed.




When the time of an election comes on, and those man of the world, who rule by wealth, and whose business it is to corrupt their fellow subjects, and cheat them by flattery and corruption; out of their liberty come to ask your votes, — do you despise their offers, and say to them, Your money perish with you....

Secondly, Forever despise that man who has betray'd the liberty of his constituents; this will lay a restraint upon the venal disposition of such as Incline to sell their country for Preferment. It would be a check to hinder them from going into the schemes of a Governor. — Never send those who depend on favour for a living, or on the perplexity of the laws, nor any who have ever discovered a want of good principles.

North-Carolinians, if you remain under these burdens, it must be your own faults; — you will stand recorded for asses to all generations if you do not assert your privileges before it is too late to recover them. It is not disloyalty, nor injurious, to give Instructions to the candidates you choose, and take their solemn promise and obligation, that they will follow those instructions. This is far more noble than rioting a few days in drunkenness. Assembly men are your servants, and it is but reasonable they be made accountable to you for their conduct....

Finally, My brethren, whenever it is in your power, take care to have the house of assembly filled with good honest and faithful men; and encourage and instruct them on all occasions: And be sure to let your elections be no expence to them.