Will you permit the sacred fire of liberty, brought by your fathers from the venerable temples of Britain, to be quenched and trodden out on the simple altars they have raised?

When he failed to prevent passage of the resolution Howe began a vigorous campaign for repeal by delegations to London and then publishing a variety of anti-Confederation papers and pamphlets. Howe acted as its editor until 1841 turning the paper into the most influential in the province. When Haliburton missed with his shot Howe "deloped" deliberately missing by firing his gun in the air.

He is one of Nova Scotia's greatest and best-loved politicians. Howe addressed the jury for more than six hours citing example after example of civic corruption. The next year Howe was elected to the assembly as a liberal reformer beginning a long and eventful public career.