The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-17

Before that noteworthy Declaration had Deen
recovered he Alexander version was put In cir
cuatlon anu lt was entirely natur | that the
people OF North Carolina Justly proud or their
virtuous ancestors, should attach their latin 10
the story, concidlng as 10 did with the general
drift OF their local traditions respecting the tran
scendent PATRIOTISM or the Inhabitants OF Meek
lenDurg. the sincerity OF their faith In the "MecS
lenourg Drclaratlon OF lnpenendencen Is not 20
be questioned. They are the last people who
would make claim which they do not believe TO
he well founded. II IL their misfortune that they
were called TO pronounce on the merits OF the
Alexander version before they knew that IL was
written rom memory alone, and before the
text OF the real declarations made on the
3lst OF May mad been eXhumed rom the dust OF
transient oblivion. Tne patriotic traditions OF a
people are Justly dear 10 them. The people OF
North Carolina are not To be blamed for cllnging
with so much tenacity TO the Mecklenourg legend.
Many among them DO not care 70 inquire 100 nar-
rowlg into the grounds OF the modern scepticsm
that has aimed 10 dIscredit the popular pellef;
but there are others among them who, renounelng
their faith IN the fable or Alexander, have planted
the honor OF the Meckienburg heroes on the men,
oraDle declarations OF May 81. on that ground
they are safe from assault anu on tnaG ground
they may challenge for the Mecklenburg fathers
.he Whoe people or the United States. For
tIe people OF Mecklenourg were the nrst IN
an -, America, 50 far as | am aware, 70
that problem was presented TO them In the year
!l5: Tue laws OF Great Britain had fallen IN 20 prac-
tical desuetude from the virtual overthrow OF the
British power IN North Carolina. Neither the Con-
tlnenta Congress nor the Provincial Congress or
the colony mad provided any substitute for this
lapse OF civil government. With a talent Tor con-
structtve politics winch has no rival In any re-
corded example OF our Revolutionary history Mt
that early day, the Committee or MeeKlenOurg
boldly grappled with THIS formidable dticulty-a
difficulty which was then veNing the wsest minds
on the Continent. While others were deu0eratlng
and crying aloud for nelD from the general Con-
gress the men OF Mecklenburg acted on the spot,
aud ne ped themselves to O wise and well consid.
ered municipal government, which proved ade-
quate 10 all the wants OF clvll society during tAe
transition period between monarchtcai authority
and nome rule.
II, then, the patriots and sages OF Mecklenhurg
In 1875 not the liable architects or ruin they
have been alleged to be, they were certainly able
architects OF order. They brought civil order
out OF civil ruin. They kept the sacred cnaritles
OF home OF parents, children, friends and neig n
oors under tue @gis OF law, ana thus realized
is the holiest junction OF organized civil govern
ment.
All honor then TO the Revolutionary heroes Of
MecSlenOurgl We nave only 20 regret that their
descendants should nave failed TO discern tue
highest glory oil their ancestors, and that IN their
needless anxiety TO protect the reputation OF the
respectable men who nave borne subsequent wit
ness 10 tnlS disputed point on their Annals they
should nave erected the ialliole recoectlOns or
John MckniJt Alexander into tactltlous dignity,
when he was careful 10 discalm for them. There
Is really no room Tor controversy IN this whole
matter II the paper oil Mr.. Alexander be taken az
the value assigned to 1t by Its autnor, and those
who would give To IL higher authenticity must
not only assume 10 be wise above what he mas
written, but must also ignore the most salien
4 facts imposing the record IN this case
JAMES q. WELLING.