The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-17
j. {. WELLING'S LETTER.
WASHINGTON, May 10, 1875

WASHINGTON, May 10, 1875.
TO The EDITOR OF THE HERALD
/ nave the honor to acknowledge the recep-
ton OF your note, in which you ask me to prepare
a popular exposition OF the Declaration OF lnde-
pendencen purporring to have been adopted and
promulgated by portion OF the people OF MeckleD-
burg county in the state OF North Carolina. the
2otn OF May 1875.
For the courtesy you have done me in this APP
plicaion am. II Is presumed, Indebted 10 the fact
tnat since the year 1856, when made my rst pub
hcation on this topic in the columns OF the Ma
tionaI InteLfOencer have taken an humble part
In the historical controversy which has so long
been waged over this document, with regard alike
20 the genuineness OF its authorship ana the au-
thentIcity OF It's contents.
As nave been led BY my Investigations 70 con-
trovert the traditional and popular opinions held
in North Carolina on this topic 1t gives me
pleasure 10 state that I have found nothing in
these Investigations which seems in the slightest
degree 10 detract rom the exalted patriotism OF
the Mecklenburg wortnies Of 1875 or lower the
pious vcneration in which they are held by their
descendants OF me present day. on the contrary
I suppose that the views which have been com
PEELED TO adopt, IN common with more learned
historical critics, such Mr.. Bancroft ana the
late Peter Force, are the only views which can be
made consistent with a loyal and intelligent ad-
miration OF the MecKlenburg heroes, as they are
believed to be she only views which can stand the
ultimate scrutiny OF an impartial mind when all
the facts Of the case are put in the record. I
attach the more importance TO this statement,
which place at the very threshold OF my commu-
nication, because | am unwilling to have IL sup
posed, even for = moment, that have proposed
70 myself the shallow pleasures OF the mere lcono-
clast IN undertaking the WORK OF research
upon this question, and in subsequently taxing
public the results OF that research. IL is hoped
that even the cursory view TO which must e re-
strcted in the present discussion win suriice to
show that in vinaicating the truth OF history in
this matter Il Is not necessary in the least degree
TO detract from the hereditary renOwn ard pre-
eminent patriotism OF the stalwert and enight-
ened men who adorned the annals OF Meckleaourg
county during the Revolutionary era. Certain it
il that profess myself to be their fervent admlrer
and in numoly wiplng rom their tombstones the
licnens and moss Or more than half "a century r
confess as well 10 the reverent homage as 10 the
painstaking zeal or an Old Mortality. II the false
nlmbus which has gathered around their brows
from the mists OF q local tradition must needs be
dIssipated it Is that We may the better adorn
their venerable heads with an aureoIe OF brighter
splendor and purer lustre. The fame OF these
nlusrious patriots has nothing TO fear except rom
the lndlscTetion OF those prefer to view the m
through the distortions or laDe rather tnan In the
"dry ngAt OF truth.n
GOING BENEATH TIE SURFACE.
What Is popularity known az the "MecEienbUrg
Declaration or independence was first published
TO the world In the Raleigh Register or April 80.
1919. The document, a. then published purported
TO be "a true copy VI the papers" left on this SUB.
ject In the hands OF mis- son oy John McKnitt Alex
ander, an influential citlzen OF MecKlenburg
county, who died In the year 1917. Ills son. DR.. 5
McKnitt Alexander. IN giving publicity to the
document, accompanied It with the following
certlfcate:-
The going Is true copy OF the papers on the above
subject leit ia my nanus BY John Mckuttt Alexander
deceased. ind II mentioned file that the original
b0ok burned April! 800; that COPY 81 proceeo
ings vas SEM ~ huKA Williamson. men Wnung \ his,