The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-04-27
M. IcARoLINA---THR aoTH or MAY. :

held in precious remembrance, the thought occurs
to us, as we witness preparation on the part of
OUR people to signaliEe it, can it be possible that
there is want of patriotic pride on the part of our
citizens? Or if there is ne want of this noble
passion, why is it that they are so wonderfully In
different to the most glorious day which iluIines
the record of her deeds. 20 solemnize by appro-
pirate manifestations of rejoicing the periodical
return of some day especially dear, is marked
characteristic with all civilized hatioas From the
earliest period of time, we find the recurrence of
the day, upon which swas enactctl some grand
drama, or upon which SOME event transpissd of
vast consequences to the nation is celebrated with
every demonstration of JOY and every out-burst Of
patriotic emotion. The Greeks and Romans, as
| every student of history knows, had their games
and festivals in commenoration of some event.
or in honor of some God. 1t is not necessary,
however, to go back into the distant past for ex-
amples. All history teens with illustration ana
the present time is full of precedents most worthy
OF our imitation. In own free America the
inhabitants of many States distinguish by appto-
pirate ceremonies the annual return of certain
days which are to be forever remembered, from
the great emergencies that arose, or the splendid
acts that performed on those portentous days.
Especially do sister States celebrate those chief
days in their calander, upon which their destinies
free and happy people hung suspended in the
balances by thread as delicate as the one which
swung the sword of Damoces. Even the birth
days of some of our distinguished men are Kept in
remembrance by parade, and pomp, and ceremony
Tell u.s. we patriotic sons of honored old Virginia
if there is day in your annals so full of tender
associations and heartfelt pride, as the one upon
which the eyes of George Washington first opened
upon the world The 22d of February is not only
intellectually dear to the people of Virginia, but 1t
is held in precious remembrance by the patriots
Of whole confcderacy of States, for it upon
that day, the Almighty gave to America her
liberator, her leader and her father and the world
the nearest realization of perfect man, And on
the 4th day of July the whole nation unite in COM
memorating the great and benefcent work that
was so nobly performed by our forefathers on thai
day in the year 1776, although the murkiest and Z
goomiest and most ominOus clouds lowered over
our destiny. And it is right that these days should
be marked with the ''whte-stone" of national ne
joicing. 1t speaks well of our gratitude free
and enlightened people, and says to the world in
language not to be misunderstood, that the patriot
ism which nerved the stout hearts and sinewy
arms of our ancestors, when they rose in their
majesty and might, and threw off the manicles Of
oppression, still burns with undimnshed force in
the breasts of their children May this Holy fame
be kept burning ever brightly upon the altar Of
our hearts fed continually by the oil off consecrat
ed patriotism But when the citizens of North
Carolina have signalized these days of national
blessings they have not yet finished their work
their task is but half accomplished if they stop with
these rejoicings and these ceremonies. They have
a day in their own history as State which richly
merits their most devout attention and their most
iubant demonstrations They have the 10th of
May. 1t was on this day in 1775 that little
band of heroes and patriots assembled at Charlotte
and there resolved to be free die. 1t was at
that place and on that day, that scene transpred
and deeds performed that should associate
them in minds and hearts with all which il
dear and incffaceable Indeed, it really seems to
us, that the Goth May should rise in Importance in
the estimation of all true North Carolinians. above
all other days, save only that upon which the
Savior of the world was born. The people of our
State, a class, are not specially well informed as
to their hstory-they know very little of the suf-
ferng and privatons, of the battles fought and
victories won, of the ehivalo,Is bearing and noble
heroism that marked the career of the patriots Of
the Revolution. If then our people, would but 81
inaugurate the custom of celebrating the goth May
they would not only be enabled to learn more of
their States history, but would be paying that
tribute of gratitude and praise to the memory Of
the departed, which they much deserve. We
hope that the rapidly approaching 10th May, wik
be duly signalizcd in many portions OF our beloved
old State, and that people will manifest their
appreciation of the glories which inseparably
connected with that day, by such ldemonstrations
as each locality may think best. We shall recurs'
to this subject again in next and in the nneaR
time trust sincerely, that the brefLc1arc the Press
will express themseve favorable to the commem- -
oration of this most important eyeDt%-Or toEdz
Leisure LLOHr. m ass E'fa--5a Il z5eaEf % ssf1'
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