The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-15

| OF II is with pleasure we present the names
of the old Board of Commissioners for reelection.
We do not know, indeed we have every reason
10 believe that they will not have opposition.
These gentlemen entered upon the discharge Of
their Office with the stern resolve TO do their whole
duty, and confidently point their works for
their justification. They have done work upon
the streets, which il is true was expensive aud
for the time being bears hard upon the tax. payers,
but i, will last for ages. We all know hat was
the condition of our public thoroughfares last
winter. 1t was almost impossible for Wagons to
drag through the mud, and as for pedestrians their
passage was in fact u dirty one.
The police Of the town has been we'll admins.
tered, order kept, and The corporation laws en-.
forced. We cannot forbear in this connection, to
bear testimony in favor of the capacity, public
spirit, and warm desire upon the part of our In.
iendant so to discharge the duties Of his office as
to meet the esteem and entire confidence Of the
town. 1t is thankless office at best, and there
are few who would bring 20 it as many good quail
tiles as the present incumbent. He is lawyer,
and man OF patient attention and punctuality,
him mind unswerved by passion or prejudice,
sound sense and legal learning, and we are sats-
fed from past experience that the place cannot be
filled by one more likely TO discharge the various
duties with satisfaction to all and with an eye more
TO the interest of the town.
e. Gov. Reid in his last message to the Leg
islature recommends TINT two small Monnrnnpte
be erected IN the Capitol Square-one to the me.
mory Of the soldiers Of the Revolution, the other
to the signers Of the Mecklenburg Declaration Of
Independence.
We have ever thought that the State should
make liberal appropriation for a Monument to
commemorate deed, that stands out as the bright
particular act in the history Of the lives of that
bold and fearless band who were the first on the
American continent to proclaim the independence
of these colonies. And we are glad that the Elk.
eculive has thought proper a: this time to recon-
mend it. Monument should by all means be
built. Any other State would long since have
erected this memento to the men and the deed,
and would cherish it with peculiar pride and salts
faction. 1t is deed similar to none that can
again happen while this ball is inhabited by our
race. The world could only witness such
an act Of patriotic devotion. 1t the interest of
the living that the dead should receive their just
need of praise-they nhale the incense that arises
from the shrine of departed greatness, and it
nerves them onward in their career Of danger and
difficulty. Ii is one Of the faults Of this age OF
practical uiiltarIanism to forget greatest ben.
efactors, and the prejndcial effect upon char.
acters is clearly visible. lis tendency is to de.
prive them Of their honest fame and TO put the
worst and best men Of those times the same
level. 1t is then the interest OF the human race
that the memory OF men of great deeds should
be held in reverence. TO go on the forlorn hope
is source Of great peril. Who will undertake
it if it is not also source of honor 1t is easy
enough after the rampars carried to find men
to plant the flag on the highest tower.
If then this Monument ought to be built, is Raj.
egh the proper place to put it. We think clearly
not. Here is the spot that witnessed the deed.
Here is the very cradle Of liberty where the histo
ry of the first Declaration Of independence the
world ever seen acted, and here is the spot
where the memento of the men who performed
it should stand. A memorial was some years
ago presented to the Legislature asking aid
There lie already fund in the hands of the Trea.
surer of the Monumental Association set apart for
the purpose. Let the present Legislature come
forward with commendabie liberality and make
an appropriation, and we venture to say two.
thirds of the people of the State i'll not only ap-
prove it, but will at recognise the propriety
Of placing it here where the Convention met.
We hope one of our members will bring this
matter to the attention OF the House. Ii may not
be as profitable building Railroads but it will
rebound much more to the honor OF our people.
While the Bostonians are looking with proud
complacency to the Monument that shoots its tall
column from the heights OF Bunker's Hill, this
most glorious spot has not stone TO mark it.
r For Congressional and Legislative news see
report of the proceedings, and our Raleigh cor
respondenee.
! c. Gen. ]. II. Adams, the defeated candidate
| ior Senator for Rchland District. was on Tues
| day last o. .cd Governor OF South Carolina.