The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-07-06
Incident i'm the History of N. Carolina.

Al the late commencement OF the University OF
North Carolina an address before the literary so.
cIetIes by George Davis, of Wilmington. His
theme was, The EnrIy Times and DTea Of tile
LO1cer Cape Fear The speaker rected, during
the Of his orarion, the following thrilling
and ever memorable incident in history OF the
Old North State. In speaking of the history oil
the position Of North Carolina in the great srrug.
gle Tor American freedom, he said:
"In the first of the year 1866 the sloop Of war
Diligence arrived in the Cape Fear, bringing The
stamps. Now, look what shall happen? She
floats as gaily up the river though she came on
errsnd Of grace, with sails all set, and the
cross Of 81. George Haunting aPeak. her cannon
(rowning on the rebeIious IIe town OF Bruins.
wick, she yawns TO her anchor. People OF
Cape Fear, the issue IS before you The paw Of
the lion Is your heads-the terrible lion OF
England Will YOU crouch submissivelv. or re-
deem the honor that pledged for you You
have spoken brave words about The rights of the
people-have We acts brave? All gentle
men, there were men liz North Carolina in those
days.
Scarcely had The stamp ship crossed the bar
when Colonel WaddelI was watching her from :he
shore. He sent a messenger 10 Wilmington to
his friend Colonel AShe. AS she rounded TO her
anchor, opposite the Custom House Brunswick,
they appeared upon the shore, with TWO compa-
MES OF friends and gallant yeomen at their backs.
Beware, John Ashc Hugh Wadde take heed
Consider well, brave gentlemen the per!ous iSsu"
you dare Rememt er that armed resistance to
the Kings authority is treason In his palace, at
Wilmington, the " Wolf of Caroina'' is aIrrady
chahng against you ; and know you not that yon-
der, across the waller, England sfIil keeps the
Tower, the Traitors Gate, the scatfold and The
axe Fail we'll they know but
They have set their lives upon the cast,
And must stand the hazard of the die.
By IhrratseG violence they intmdat' d the COM
mauder of the loop, and he promises not to land
his stamps. They seize the vessels's boat and
hoisted mast and flag, mount it upon cart
and march in triumph 10 Wilmington. Upon
their arrival the town is Illuminated. Next day,
with Colonel Ashe at their head. the people 90
in crowds to the Governors house, and demand
of hIm James Houston, The stamp master. Upon
his refusal to deliver him up forthwith, they set
about 10 born his house above his head Terrifl.
ed, the Governor al length complies. and Houston
is conducted TO the market house, where, in the
presence Of the assembled people. he is made to
take the solemn oath never TO execute the duTles
of his Office. Three glad hurrahs ring through
the old market house, and the stamp !a'ls still.
born in North Carolina. Cheers And tins was
more than ten years before the Declaration Of In.
dependence, nine be elore the Baule OF l. xington,
and nearly eight before the Boston Tea Party
The destruction of The tea done in the night
by men in disguise, and history bIazons 1t, and
New England boasts Of it, and the lame of it is
wnrdwi But this other act, more gallant and
daring, done in open day by we'll known men,
with arms in their hands and under he Kings
fag-who remembers who tells il When
will tory do justice to North Carolina Never.
nI some faithful and loving of her own shall
grid his loins 10 the task with unwt AIRED industry
and unflInching devotion the honor OF his dear
old mother.