Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-06-04
For the journal.
The Association Paper of the Cape
Fear Region

For the journal.
J The Association Paper of the Cape
Fear Region
The Fayetteville Gazette announces
that it is prepared to commemorate
| the Centennial Anniversary of the for
nation of the Cumberland Association,
June Goth, ITS. This. suggestion
elicits our warmest sympathy. 1t is
eminently appropriate for that act of
the sterling patriots of Cumberland
deserves to be held in high esteem by
their worthy descendants.
The then situation of Cumberland
throws around this bold step glory
not attaching to similar movements
made elsewhere.
Fayetteville was the commercial
centre Of a population much given to
loyalty the Regulators and Highland
ers ira ing with her merchants were
for the most part royalists, not only in
name but in bold, determined action
The patriots of Fayetteville then by
signing the Articles of Association
threw themselves in direct antagonism
to the bulk of the people trading in
that mart, and subjected themselves
to the hostility of Jealous leaders, who
soon afterwards embodied three thou
sand leige sons of royalty from among
the newly arrived Scotch and those
turbulent Regulators who SO bitterly
opposed the American Cause.
1t was indeed step, which, when
viewed in the light of its surround
ings, rises from the glorious to the
heroic, and is well worthy to be COM
memorated by all who appreciate for
titude and bravery displayed by patri-
OTIS in their country's cause.
But while this is so, there are some
circumstances connected with the
transactions that seem to have escaped
the attention of our patriotic Legisla-
ture of 1S3O-31, when it gave to this
Association a particular prominence.
1t may not be amiss, as this is Cen
tennial year, to refer to the page of
history as the actors wrote it, and not
merely as it might have been.
Early in 1774 patriotic citizens in
perhaps every county in North Caro-
lima had formed themselves into COM
mittees of safety. In August, 1774, a
State Congress met, being a body IN
known to the laws, but composed of
delegates chosen by the people of the
diff rent counties.
the government of the people, and
provided that they should be enforced
by the various County Committees.
Perhaps there was no county in the
State that did not have its Committee
regularl y organized under the resolu-
tions of the State Congress before the
winter of 1774-75. Subsequently a
more perfect organization was made,
n afe Il In-y
formed of a number of counties. Each
District had its Distric. Committee
The Wilmington District, it seems,
embraced Onslow, Duplin, Sampson,
Cumberland. and SO on. to the South
Carolina line. The proceedings of the
Wilmington Committee of Safety show
that on the 18th day of June, ITS,
the New Hanover County Committee
met, and on the same day the Will
mington District Committee also as
sembled at Wilmington. In this lat
ter, Cumberland county was represent
ed. On that day the New Hanover
Committee adopted and signed articles
of association, being the same pub
lished by the Legislature of 1S30-31,
as the Cumberland Association. The
same Association paper was also
adopted and signed by the Whining
District Committee on the next day,
the Goth June.
It appears also that copy of that
paper, in the handwriting of NJ.
Robert Rowan, was read at Fayette-
vile on the Goth June and also adopt
ed and signed by the patriots of Gum
bertrand. A paper substantially the
same. having some verbal alterations,
was also adopted and signed in Lincoln
county in August, ITS. A paper to
the same effect, bu: differing consider
ably in phraseology was also signed in
Pitt unity, July 1st, 1775. 1T is sug-
would reveal the fact that similar as
sociation papers were adopted in every
| county in the State, except in the Tory
section, about the same time, and to
the same effect.
It is noteworthy that this particular
| paper, adopted at Wilmington, 195h
June, 1775, and at Fayetteville on the
succeeding day, contains the current
words of the times that were so effect
lively used by Jefferson twelve months
thereafter. 1t reads, with some omis'
sions: "We, the subscribers holding
ourselves bound 6y the most sacred
of all obligations, &c, do unite our
selves under every tie of religion and
honor, &C., and hereby solenaniy en-
gagiJtg, &C., that we will go forth anC
| be ready to sacrifice O,tr iiucs and for
times to secure the freedom and safety
| (of our country.
s. A. A.