The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-03-08
Revolutionary History of North Caro-.

klnuiy sent US q book with the above titlr
IL consists Of three lectures, delivered by
Rev. Francis L. Hawkes., Hon. David L.
Swain, and Hon. VIM. a. Graham, TO whicl,
is prcfxcd u preliminary sketch Of the battle
of Alamaneo; compiled by WIN. d. Cook. "
We have been much entertained by the pc
rusil of this book The lectures are able
productions, and Is each, though confined to
the Revolutionary History uf North Carroll
ma, has reference 20 different periods, much
knowledge is acquired Of the early struggles
and patriotism Of the good people ofthe Old
North State. Perhaps we may complain of
the adulating manner in which Old Rip is
treated, but when We consider that all three
of the 'siinguishcd lecturers wee natives
of her soil, VIC yield to the claim Of State
pride.
The historian In la>ishing praise when
praise is duo, should also never shrink from
rebuking, when censure is deserved. We
Ike the book though, and our good opinion
of old Mecklenburg is more firmly cstaL-
iished from tho knowledge derived from
these pages OF the early settlers. The
Mecklenburg Declaration us the precursor of
the Declaration Of Independence. ratified BY
Congress, descrvedly gives old Rip a char
sctcr which her people arc and should be
proud of.
The evidence produced By Mr.. Hawkes.,
can leave no doubt on tho mind, but Il at
the people Of Mecklenburg county, ut their
Court douscin Charlotte, formally declared
themselves independent ON the aosh day of
March. 1873 The anniversary Of thi in
t"resting occasion, Is 10 be celebrated in
Charlotte on the goth Of the present month
Wecann"t forbear giving the concluding
PORTO r of rr Etwkcs' address:
May not, with becoming modes, say,
IN conclusion, for the COOL old State that
has furnished my theme, that, as one OF
the childrcn Of the common household,
While treated with respect and kindness,
she is exceedingly good natured, and not
over ,eady to take offence. when no wrong
il meant. She can understand, too ~
joke among friends. She is willing the
other children OF the family, especially
uie itile and the young ones, should, ifil
will Afford il:cir clridishncss any amuSe.
ment, call her sleepy old Rip Van Win
kle." Rip Van Winkle he it then it is
a respectable soubriquet, for it is Dutch,
and Norlh Carolina has rather fancy COR
Dutch blood, inasmuch as it has never
proved itself cowardly: but let me tell
you, sleepy As you may think Ripto be,
he follows the fashion of his country, aud
generally sleeps, to use the phrase Of his
people, "wilh one eye open" Rip thinks
lac WAS wide awake on tho 20ili of Nav
1875, in Mecklenburg wide awake,
when, on the morning Of thG 27lh of Feb
sruary, l770, he f,ught the loyalists to
the irimbcr Of 800, and mado clean
field Of il, scattering them and crushing
their principles throughout Carolina /;
wide awake on the 18Th April, l77U.
when he told the Continental Congress lo
shout out, without fear, INpEpESDEHcE ;
wide awake, when, after The war, almost
one Of his first acts was 10 found an Uni.
ycrsiiy: wide awake when lie took the
lead and ordered the irst geological sur
Sey Of any State in this Union; and above
all, wide awake when he saved the mon.
ey he earned, and so always promptly
paid every dollar he owed, from the time
he was free nan, aud never had occasion
TO give his promissory note, much less de-
ny his signature to il aftcrwnrd; wide a.
wake when he resolved 10 Use litti. 0s
lis surplus money 10 show his respect and
regard for very worthy gentleman and
frieni Of bis, one Mr.. George Washing
ton, and so caused the best sculptor in the
world TO make n marble image sof his dc.
parted friend, and had Il set up that the
children might know what was old Rips
idea Of man. Who would have thought,
by the way, that the sleepy old fellow
was so full Of graiitadc aud good taste
Really, he does not sccm to have been
such dfowsy character, after all aud
now, 90 where he Is, perhaps he win be
lying down, and perchance you viii think
hs Is again aslecp; but let me tell you, be
knows very well all that Is going on in the
great family household, and how each
child Is getting on In the world; and he
knows, too, something about the families
that nfe ofno kin TO him; aud Just whisper
TO him that you think there are tl,ieye:
ard enemies prowling around the old
homestead, and he win tell you that he
knows II snd you viii see him on Ibis fse
IN an instant; and when he is wanted
there he will be, rifle IN hand, with mani
heart, and , mans stfengfit, tD do all ,
mans duty and when he has doue il, II
viii, perhaps, quietly I've down again an,
whether lie h too sleepy of modest. can
not say but 40 Il is, that aftes lie ha
done all that man should DO, he wiil b
very svfe, unless obliged to speak. 10 "A,
little or nothing etovt Il. FLedies an