Will you, my countrymen, the descendants of these men, warmed by their blood, inheriting their language, and having the principles for which they struggled confided to your care, allow them to be violated in your hands?

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.