The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-03-07
s.. G..
Friday aarnine, Match :, 1873.
North, ,Qarellna's osnteh Nal.


of Meokleaburg County, North Carolina.
promulgated declaration of indepen-
denoe of the Government OF Great
Britain, in the town of Charlotte, and
boldly laid down the principles of free
government inAmerica. It was aspirited
document. and the lives, fortunes and
sacred honor OF the signers we're pledged
to its support Aud these pledges were
subsequently made good by their valor
'and.fortitade.' The famous Declaration
of Inaependence. drawn BY Mr.. Jeffer-
son.. used the ideas, and, in several
places, the language, of tho Mecklen.
burg declaration. North Carolina is en-
titled to the credit of this bold ennncia-
tion, and We perceive by recent action OF
the House OF: Representatives OF that
State. that she is not insensible to this
proud historic position.
The House has, adopted resolutions
whioh favor the holding OF centennial
celebration at Charlotte, on the Goth OF
May, 1876, to commemorate this great
, event, by an exhibition Of tho natural
resources of the State, it's arts; products
md manufactures. tits proposed / o ap-
point a commission, to consist Of the CO.
vernon and three delegates from each
Congressional District of Che State. to
/. prepare and superintend the execution
OF plan for holding the exhibition, to
serve without compensation. Invita-
*tions are to be extended to the President
Of the United States, the heads OF oil the
departments of the Government at
washington, and to the Governors of all
the States and Territories.
This will not interfere with the CEN
tennial celebration at Philadelphia,
whioh takes place over twelve months
after the proposed exhibition ,at Char
lotta. It will rather aid in furtheranoe
of4that object, as the articles collected
: there can be forwarded. to Philadelphia
as contributions from North Carolina.
The Goth day of May, 1875. is over two
years off yet, which will afford ample
time to make all arrangements for o
cause 30 we'll worthy of commemoration.
9I'i In.s55a.iSs Il ,1aasi15. A1' III
Senator Bayard. of Delaware, has in
troduoed resolution for an inquiry as
TO whether any officer of the army, sta
Stioned in South Carolina, has received,
or attempted to procure, lpay yment from
the State Legislature for services per-
formed in the line OF his duty Of, other
wise. or has been admitted to practice
and has praotioed at the bar OF tie State
for his personal emolument, while re-
ceiving pay as an officer Of the army;
and whether suoh officer is now on,duty
in said State. and detached from his re-.
giment for any service. and, il so. for
what servios." IA f.
This Inquiry points to Major Lewis
Merrill, who has been in command of
tho post at Yorkville, in this State. for
the last two years, and has been conspi-
cuous for his activity in hunting mp and
arrestine Ku Klux. and for his zeal, in
concert with District Attorney Corbin,
an having them convicted. He has now,
w PoloOAFot OCou ICllSPcu OI ulS COLI
znand OF the troops, and ordered to re-
port to Attorney. General Williams for
service, in connection with pending X
Klux trials. In this field, Major Merrill
will be entirely at home, and, no doubt,
ready and eager auxiliary to the prose-
cution. ;s
The Legislature of South Carolina has
appropriated $4,000 ns compensation
for Major Merrill and others, for their
services against the Ku Klux. We do
not know whether he has received hie
quota or not; but as he has not only
done such service in the field as the LIE.
gislature thought should be thus reward
ed, but been active in season and out Of
season in getting the appropriation
passed, we think it more than likely that
he has. It is beyond doubt that he has
attempted to procure this payment. It
is equally clear that it was for services
performed in the line OF his duty, and
>for which he drew his pay regularly Ha