The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-03

DO correct, 70 General Davle. therefore, said he
''TuR DOCUMENT Is sAFE,n
Soon after the death OF General Davie DR..
HawEs relates paper was found, known by wit
ness 70 be IN the handwriting or John McKnltt
Alexander commencing with the words 'Meck-
linourg county, Nay 20, 1875" ana followed by
narrative OF the assembling OF the people and the
adoption OF the resolutions, which were given az
length in the manuscript. Among Alexauder's
papers was also found document In his own
handwriting mentioning the destruction OF the
original paper IN 1900 by nre, but adding that he
had sent copies TO Dr. Williamson ana General
Dave. The PAPER that was said TO be in the pos
session OF General Davie DIT. Hawks stated, was
then preserved IN tine State Department or North
Carolina, but have not been able TO hnd any one
VINO has ever seen IT.. AS 10 the paper sent to DR..
Williamson, ne SAYS tnat Governor stokes, OF tins
state testified tnat IN tho year 1898 he saw in the
possession oil DR.. Williamson a copy OF the docu-
ments OF the goth OF May, l775, the handwriting
OF Jonn McKnitt Alexander, together with letter
to Williamson from Alexander. THAT was prior
to the destruction or the original in 1900: but
what became OF Dr. Willamsons copy does not
transpire.
MORE TWENTIETH TESTIMONY.
On July IL, 1926 the valedictory address OF the
Rev. Samuel G. Caldwell TO the pupils OF his acad-
envy was published IN TIE Catawba IN. CO. Journal,
or winch the following is an extract
But my fellow citizens, 10 compress our view
let US limit our retrospect to the bounds OF our
own country. II with proprety Boston mas been
DESIGNATED as the cradle OF American lndepen-
hood-the matu Ity OF riper yeaIs-and the
town OF Charlotte must ever, with pre.emi-
nent merit, bear the palm OF making the
first enectual effort in wrestling rom the British
crown her fairest diamond. which now shines
with Respondent lustre in the sacred wreath which
entwlnes the brow OF the goddess OF American in
dependence. ON the 10Th OF May, 1775, day
two delegates duly authorized RON eacd militia
company IN tnIs county met In Charlotte Alter
cool and deliberate investigation OF the causes and
extent OF our differences win Great Britain anu
taking a view OF the probable results, pledging
their all IN the support OF their rights and
liberties, they solemnly entered INTO and pub
lisned full and determined Declaration oil lnde-
pendence, renouncIng forever all allegiance. oe-
pendence on or connection with Great Britain,
dissolved all judicial aud military establishments
emanatng from the British crown, ana estab-
iisned others on principles correspondent with
their declaration, when went into immediate
operatlou-a OF which we're transmitted to Con-
Qress by express, and probably expedited me gen.
eral Declaration OF Independence. May We ever
act worthy OF SUCH predecessors.
THE OATH OF LOYALTY.
| recent communication on the subject says
| It's well known that none, or very few, or the
1 covenanters signed the Declaration OF Indepen-
dence on the goth OF May, 1875, In Charlotte. Inc
reason, as stated by Governor Graham on the Atm
4 OF February. was that they did not consider at
that ume thar they could be absolved OF their
oath OF allegiance winch they nad taken 10
4 Ming GeOr"e. lHIs opinion anu reason We con-
slider correct. After The National Declaration at
/ Philadelphia mad been promulgated aud hostillties
actually commenced they felt tnat they were ap-
solved OF their oatn and entered zealuusly into
! tue struggle Tor American liberty. Wen do / re-
member hearing an old elder IN Sardls telling now
his ia her wept on the 20th OF May, 1775 wnen the
instrument was read, because his oath would M OF.
/ he lelt, allow him 10 support measure and a
course which his judgment and conscience APP
proved. Hence II Is that none OF The names when
\ we have mentioned, and names OF otner leading
charact ers IN THIS county, attached TO the i'm
mortal document That first pealed forth the clarion
< notes of llber,y on :he American continent they
4 may have erred, but VINO will impugn their mo-
/ tlves? Tradition tells us that at the Cow
| pens, Kings Mountain Cowan's Ford,
many OF these Scotch-lrIsn PresDyterans
sealed their devotion 10 America with
| their life's blood while others contributed
! largely TO acquire for Charlotte the well Known
epIthet .Hornels' Nest.v While many are gather
ing "reminiscences OF those stirring times that
tried mems souls, We beg leave TO state an incl
dent the truth OF which Is established by tradi-
ton beyond cavll, though never published.
THE TRADITIONAL HORNETS NEsr''
has been walked up at Charlotte by this discussion
and as 1t progresses the Hornets" will probably
be moro singing and vicious than usual. But is
is proposed they shall nave tue benefit OF all the
'Nestn can produce to validate their claims 10 the