Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-09-19
rPIRIT OF THE MORNING PRESS.

The InteLtIgeneer, in an article headed
The Mecklenburg Declaration, =" takes up the
interesting historical question as to the au'
thenticity Of this declaration" and the cor
responding question as to which State-Nortn
Carolina or Virginia-belongs the honor Oh
priority in moving for a separation from drea'
Britain. The IntsIifgsneer says:
owe have little disposition to enter the
lists in this historical controversy save only for
the purpose of suggesting to the partlsans OF
either side that all such questions OF priority
"a To the utterance of sentiments with which
the popular mind at any period is teeming are
ant to receive an attention beyond their in
tIinsic importance Whether Newton or Leib-
nitz first discovered the method of fuxions on
which is now founded the diffe rental calculus
taught in our mathematical schools is a ques-
ton which long divided and alienated the
English and French academies Whether LIE
Verrier or his British cotemporary and brother
astronomer, Adams, first OWNED the exist
ence Of the planet Neptune is still sab lite.
But, beyond merely personal interest, what
do such controversies signify? Simply this,
that the merit of any great discovery In sci
ence is not to be monopolized by a single in
dividuai, since every such discovery always
results more from the general status of science
than from the extraordinary sagacity of one of
science may with still greater generality be
affirmed Of great political movement up
heaving a whole continent and ready to break
forth at many points simultaneously"
Reciting what appears to be the main facts
in the case, as CLEANED from the testimony of
both parties to the historical controversy, the
one Declaration of independence made by
the citizens of Mecklenburg, and that is to be
found in the Resolves" passed on the 3lst of
May, l175; and Ii this was not formal
declaration, it was st least in advance of any
that had been hitherto promulged among the
iDsurge1t colonists-an historical pre- emf
hence which may be justly awarded to North
Carolina without rObbing Virginia of her
Benjamin's portion in the glories of the
Revolutionary era"
The Intelltgs.cer thinks the resolutions
adopted by the "Whis National Convention"
are, sin tho main, satisfactory"
The Union, in noticing the enthusiastic as
semblage Of the Pennsylvania Democracy to
commemorate the anniversary of the adoption
Of the Federal Constitution, regards it as
peculiarly appropriate that the Democracy
should celebrate the birthday of constitution
al freedom, and says:
"since first that greatest work of human
wisdom was offered to the free and sovereign
otates OF the Union 1t was to form, the Demo
cratic party has been its constant and nm.
changing friend. With jealous eyes it has
watched over, and with q strong arm and fear.
less heart has repelled every attempt at en-
eroachment upon its slightest provision From
the days OF Jefferson until this good hour, the
Democracy have known but one faith, have
occupied but one position With the consti-
tuition they arose; with the Union which the
constitution created, which the constitution
maintains, they have prospered; with the fall
OF the constitution they fall, but not until
then; for, while the constitution is left, there
will ever be Democratic party to uphold
and defend it. We have said that in this
dark and trying hour, when the most buoyant
hopes are dropping, when, flushed with phren-
sy and maddened with lust for plumber. q
strong and reckless faction is assaulting the
dearest and most sacred Of our institutions, il
II with sfncere and unaffected pleasure that
We witness the outpouring of the patriot m asses
in honor Of the constitution"