The Hillsborough recorder., 1861-05-15
Declaration Of Independence

DeCsufoHW " WuepeHneHcc
offered in Tie Senate Of North Carolina BY Josiah 7M
ner, jr., Of Orange.
Resoived, That we, the people Of North
Carolina, do hereby dissolve the political
bonds which have connected Us to the gov
ernment OF the United States of America,
and absolye ourselves from all allegiance to
said Government, and abjure all political
connection, contract or association with that
Government, who have blockaded our ports,
ruined our commerce and wantonly trampled
on our rights and liberties, and shed inhn-
manly the blood Of Southern patriots at Har-
per's Ferry and at Baltimore.
Resolved. That we no longer acknowledge
the existence and control Of any law or legal
officer Of the United States, civil or militia
ty, within this State.
Resoived, That we do hereby declare our
selves free and independent people. are,
and OF right ought to be. sovereign and
sell. lf.goyernlng people. under the control OF
no power other Than that Of our God, and a
government established by the people Of
North Carolina.
ResoiUed, That TO the maintenance Of this
declaration Of our independence, we solemn
ly pledge to each other our mutual co.ope-
ration. our lives. our fortunes and our most
sacred honor.
Resoiped, That these resolutions be en-
rolled aud signed by the members Of this
General Assembly, and be published for the
consideration and approval Of all the good
and loyal people Of North Carolina.
Mr.. Turner said: This, Mr.. Speaker, is
not my declaration, il is the declaration Of
our fathers, made in Mecklenburg the goth
Of NAV, ITS, a declaration and a day sa-
cred to herusm and dear 10 every friend Of
freedom. Il is noble declaration, worthy
Of those who made it, and with their swords,
in a seven years war, maintained IT, have
added but few words OF my own to the dec
laration. The man who is not now willing
and ready to pledge himself to this declara-
tion, had as well pledge himself TO the enc
my.
Ii is said this declaration violates the Con-
stitution Of the United States 50 il does.
And so does every act which you have ass
ed for the prosecution ol the war. The Con-
stitution lurbids North Carolina 10 keep an
army or a navy, yet you have passed laws
for raising both. Congress shall exercise
exclusive legislation III all cases whatsoever
over places purchased for the erection Of
forts, arsenals and dock yards" yet we are
exercising jurisdiction over the arsenal at
Fayetteville and the forts upon the coast.
have little respect for the man who re-
fuses 10 subscribe 10 this declaration because
il violates the Constitution Of The United
States. when all the important acts Of the
session have been IN violation Of thAt Con.
stiiution. The tory Of the revolution had
the same excuse. He violated his obliga-
lions TO the mother country by taking part
with the Wings. so he thought, and 80 he
acted.
Our Constitution says. " allegiance and
protection are reciprocal; the one should be
refused when the ather is Withdrawn" Does
the Constitution Of TIE United States protecl
yuu; II II ,loe., obey il aud for ever. Does
Il fail 10 protec: you: II il does, withdraw
YOUR allegiance this moment aud lureser.
Ia the name OI Ged and your country, ] say
declare yuur independence. and prepare to
make IT good.
DO you expert to command the respect OF
the nations ~ tie earlhi DO you louk for
ihcir recognition aud acknowledgement OF
your independence, when you yourselves
are afraid Or hesitate TO declare ltr Have
you forgotten that che who would be Tree,
must himself first strike the blow :"
Tie Senate mas refuse TO adopt This dec
ataiiOn. know those Who will not refuse.
Read it TO your fair county women where
they assemble T. make ha,ersacks aud shirts
for your soldiers. and every soft voice will
be strong in its praise. Read it IN Fort Gas.
we'll or Fort Macon, and every soJirr will
spring to his gun. Read il at the head u
your regiment, eneamped within sight Il the
capitol. "esery sword will leap from lis
scabbarJ." and every soldier will say. !" sink
or swim. live or die, survive or perish. give
my hand aud my heart 10 this declaration" !"
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Fof the lIiiI.borough Recorder