Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-05-21
Sentiments of the IllustriOus Cit
liens Present and Those Who
Could Not Attend-0de by
Rev. Mr.. Martin-Gas-
toms SOng-Etc.

Notwithstanding the unfsvOrsble
character of the weather, the Theater
was filed by eight o'clock last night by
a large and very intelligent audience,
which had been called together by the
advertisements which had appeared in
the daily papers, for the purpose OF cele-
brating the centennial of the Mecklen-
burg declaration Of independence. The
house was brilliantly lighted, and the
stage was simply but appropriately dec
GRATED. On each side of the table for
the presiding officer, which was drsped
with the stars and stripes, there were
large pyramids Of flowers arranged in
vases by Craig, and Overreaching the
stage at the Junction OF the prOscenium
there was the alag of our country" and
a broad banner bearing the coats of arms
of North Carolina and Tennessee, with
the word "MeckIenburg," and the years
nl775J and "1S75" inscribed thereon.
Chairs were arranged in circle round
the stage, which at eight o'clock were
occupied by the efollOwing-named gentle
men: Governor Ishsm @. Harris, Hon.
Casey Young, Mayor John League,
Judge 7. w. Brown, Colonel M. G.
Galloway, Mr.. Thomas II. Allen, Mr.. J.
A. Taylor, Mr.. Shepherd NJ. Ashe,
Judge Flippin, Major f Nj. Stockton,
Judge Henry G.. Smith, Mr.. A. E.
Frankland, Mr.. J. NJ. Heating,
Mr.. II. Z. TomIinson, Colonel L,
b. Eaton, Mr.. B. P. Anderson, Col
onel John D. Adams, United States At
torney Murray, Mr.. Orville Yerger, Ma
ior Edgington, Colonel George Gibson,
United States army; Rev. DR.. CASTOR,
Mr., n. D. Menken, Mr.. w. s. Pickett,
Mr.. Green, Colonel Thomas II. Log
wood, Captain Harvey Msthes. These
gentlemen comprised the supports
of the chairman, and filled up the
background Of a picture that, from the
auditorium, challenged Reimbursement
of the audience. at eight o'clock Ar
nOId's band, which occupied the Orches-
ira, performed an air that one hundred
years ago was a iavOrite in the Old
North State, after which
Mr.. J. NJ. Kesting, of the APPEAL,
stepped to the front and said:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN have the
honor to call this meeting to order, and
to announce that Ex-Governor Harris is
called to preside as chairman, and will
explain to you the objects of the meet
ing. Captain J. Harvey Mathes will act
as secretary.
EX-GOVERNOR HARRIS,
upon taking the chair, said:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-We have
assembled here this evening for the pur-
pose of celebrating the hundredth snni-
versary of the MecklenbuTg declaration
Of American independence-th first de-
claration of independence, made, as it
was, one hundred years ago. The first
thing in order is prayer from Rev. DR..
CASTOR.
Rev. DR.. CASTOR then offered up
prayer, hoping that in the union Of
hearts and hands they might go forward
and erect the temple Of freedom, to be
home for the oppressed and Outcast OF
earth.
At the conclusion OF the prayer the
band played an air, and at its conclu-
sion Governor Harris said:
THE MECKLENBURG DECLARATION
of independence, will now be read by
Captain n. D. Menken. [Cheers.l
Captain Menken then read the resOlu-
tions, as follows:
Resolved, That whOsoever, directly
or indirectly, sbetted or in any way,
form or manner cOuntenanced the up-
chartered and dangerous invasion Of our
rights, as claimed by Great Britain, is
an enemy to this country, TO America,
and to the inherent and inalienable
rights of men.
ResOlUed, That we, the citizens Of
Mecklenburg cOuGty, do hereby dissolve
the political bands which have connect
ed us to the mother country, and hereby
absOlve ourselves from all allegiance to
the British crown, and abjure all politi-
cal connection, contract or association
with that nation, who have wantOnly
trampled on the rights and liberties, and
inhumanly shed the blood Of American
patriots at Lexington.
ResolUed, That we do hereby declare
ourselves B free and independent people,
are, and OF right ought to be, a sOver-
eign and self-governing association,
under the control of no power other than
that of our God and the general govern
ment Of the congress; to the mainten-
ance of which independence we solemn
ly pledge to each other our mutual CO.
operation, our lives, our fortunes, and
our most sacred honor.
Resolved, That as we now acknOwl-
edge the existence and control OF no law
or legal officer, civil or military, within
this country, do hereby Ordain and
adopt, as q rule of life, all, each ald
every of our former laws-wherein,
nevertheless, the crown Of Great
Britain never can be considered as hold.
ing rights, privileges, immunities or
authority therein.
CAPTAIN MEEKEN'S REMARKS,
Captain Menken then said:
The annals Of North Carolina one
hundred years ago tell Of q resOlute
body Of braVe-hearted men, full Of in
dignation at the wrongs perpetrated on
them by the ruling power. That time
there was q common bond OF sympathy
uniting all the colonies, but the Old
North State showed special sensitive
meas. An examination OF the acts Of
the assembly that met at NewbeTn Au-
0ust 25, IVA, evinces the utmost loyalty
10 their plighted vows Of allegiance so
oftan EXPRESSED, and yet the most clear
eonception of the rights Of freemeD, the
ieaIousy with which their rights were
regarded, and the fixed purpose with
which they would be maintained. Their
journal is still preserved. The preamble
declares their regard !Or the British con-
stitution and their allegiance to the
house Of commons, but allegiance nom
them should meet with protection from
the government; that no person should
be faxed without his consent freely
given in person or by his representative
that the tax on tes and other articles by
the British parliament was illegal and
/ oppressEve. The Boston post act, the
act sending persons to England for
! trisl for Offenses committed here,
were denounced as unconstitutional
! and thav solen1uIV bound themselves,