The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-17
Charles r. Jones, Of Charlotte, Reasons
10 Favor of the 2Oth.
DIR. WELLING2S STATEMENT.
The President OF Columbian University Be,
lityeS Only in the Later Resolves"
How the North Carolinians May
Have Been Deceived.
G. R. JONES ARGUMENT.


TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
take pleasure awaiting myself OF the oppor-
tunity Afforded me, and through me to my people.
OF onerlng some thoughts touching the validity OF
the Mecklenourg Declaration OF Independence,
which took place In the town OF Charlotte, on the
10th day of May, 1775 within stones throw OF
she place In which now write. Born and reared
among the traditions OF the past huncred years.
IL would, indeed, be treason to deny that such
declaration was made, and that, too at the time
stated above. From that time to tine present the
universal belief, with few isolated exceptions is
That Colonel Thomas POLK then colonel Of the
militia of the county Of Meckenourg, called a
convention OF the people OF the county, In
consequence of the generally disturbed condition
oil SOCIETY," occasoned by the expressions Of
the mother country, by ana through the illegal
exactons OF the officers of the British crown.
That Convention assembled in Charlotte on the
lgth day OF May, ITS, and great was the feeling
the part OF the parLlcpators in the proceedings
OF the Convention that the session was prolonged
until the morning OF the 20tn Later in the even
ing OF the l9tn an express messenger arrived with
information OF the battle OF Lexington, Mass,
bringing intelligence that
BLOOD HAD BEEN Split
in defence or American freedom just one month
before, and, great was the feeling OF sympathy
on The part of the actors OF that immortal occa-
committing themselves TO an open declaration OF
indepen ience no longer hesltated, but at once
conceded with such men as DR.. Ephraim Brevard.
THIS Is all we claim, except that immediately
that event, and long prior to the De claraton
OF Independence, which occurred at Philadelphia
III l776, The citizens OF Mecklenourg county took
steps 10 put themselves on war footing and
made good their bold Declaration BY taking an
active and memorable part IN the seven years.
struggle Tor independence which followed the gen
eral declaration OF war on the part OF the United
Colonies
Tne citizens Of the State OF North car IA ore
making considerable preparations TO
celebrate such an important epoch in the al.
pf their history on the occasion OF the Centenn.
anniversary, which takes place on the goth inst,
ana 1t Is due 10 and the words OF truth to say,
That While there may be some who doubt the gen
uineness or the Declaration, there exists no
disbelief among our people, lnasmuch as there
at different periods since 1870 occasional
discussions as 10 the authenticity OF the Meek
Ienburg Declaration, IT may not be out OF place
Tor me TO notice Ia eItenSo some OF the arguments
when have been brought forward 10 order that
they may be properly ana duly answered 70 the
satisfaction ofany unprecedented mind.
WHEN THE DOUBTS AROSE.
The nrst tine the authenticity OF this Declara-
uon was ever couoteu was In 1919. in tnat year,
matter Of Information aud interest, soue
Massachusetts, paper-tne SPY, tntnk-puo-
hshed the Declaration, with an inumation
tue part VI tine editor that he believed u
10 be genuine. Mr.. John Adams. in q private cor
TespOndcnce with Mr.. Thomas Jefferson. for
warded that gentleman a copy of the pager con-
tanning the Declaration at tae same time stating
That ne lMr. Adamsl believed it TO be genuine.
Mno e mssler az reply unusunacle quizs
Inc puDiIcation oil this letter at tnar
time created considerable excitement Ia North
Carolina, particularly among the descendants or
me patriots OF the Revolution then living IN
MeckienDurg county, anu measures were taken
by the Legislature Of North Carolina (as IL had
become state matter) to collect and arrange
the documents relative 20 the MecEenourg Dec
these and other publications which nave suose-
quenty appeared, the authenticity OF the Declara-
lion u established beyond cavil or DOUBT.
caumniate the character OF Mr.. Jefferson rest
foundation than tue simple writing OF the Amerl-
can Declaration OF independence at Philadelphia,
proper for us 20 vndcate and defend the nonors
wnicn Justly aud truly belong to
hECKLESBCRG AND MIR sons.
Al the time OF when we write nearly haf
century had passed since the Declaration had peeu
made. Mr. Jefferson rom being q prominent
step Uy sep in the path OF fame, until he had
reached, 50 70 speak, tue acme OF human great.
ness. 10 nave acknowledged tnat he nad copied
any portion OF his immortal Declaration, winch
was 50 solemnlJ aud formally adopted and signed
a. philadelphia on the sth Gay OF July, 1885,
from a set OF "Tesovesl adopted thirteen months
before by tue patriots twho were mostly farmers,
and men then unknown 10 iamel, OF Mecklenourg,
would ne TO roo at least jewel from the dia-
aen hat had been awarded him by the whole
American people lie accordingly denounced
the whole thing as a hoax ana dld
what he could TO make other people
AZ incredulous as he himself was; but sucn an
abundant array or evidence presented as TO
no longer leave any doubt about the whole mat
ter 30 great was the feeling that IN 1898 an I'M
mense celebration was held in Charlotte, and In
the procession which took place we're not less than
seventy-nye old men, none OF them less than sew
badge, on when was printed, '20tn May, lTT5.r
thus giving, at one time, seventy-nye nvlng w.t.
n nn Vf he Ma Iau HNw.r haN4
tOn. here were living, trutnful witnesses, I'M
contradicted, and men whose words could not be
wuicn cOuld not be Set aside. In addition to these
witnesses, may state that the common traditions
o. the Whole country sustain the 20th Of May Dec
THESE ARE FACTS
which have come down 20 us The paSes OF his
tory, which are as troad as the earth itsen,
when. when proof Is demanded, are not suscepti.
be o. demons i ration: Dr.. wnstelJ wrote a
oook TO prove that no sucA person as Napoleon
BOnaparte ever existed, aud Mr. Jefferson himself
aouuted the existence Of Jesus Christ, ana yet
can any sane mind deny the existence OF either,
not making any reference 10 the religious belief
ned by many on tnis subject. am not able &C
tbis naY 10 produce stronger testimony than the
traditions 81 hundred years, among an intei-
gent people, and 90 stronger proofs should
called OT. part OF the evidence whieh we arc
aDc 10 submit. IN addition 10 the cloud OF tesri-
m0ny when can he Obtained Is the despatch OF
governor Martlu 70 hts government ia which he
declares that "tne resolves of the people
styung themselves committee Tor tne
COUNTY OF Meckienbnrg most tratorously declaring
the entire dissolution OF the laws, government
aud constitution OF this country, setting up
system Of rule aud regulation repugnAnt 70 the
laws aud subverslve OF HIS MajestJis government
equally positive should be tne fact that on the
tombstone OF the Rev. Hezekiah J. Balcn, one or
the signers or the MecKlenburR DeclaratiOn A.
Poplar Tent churchyard, near TINS place, - In
strbed mat no was MEMBER Of tnat glorious
hhnd that met at Charlotte on the 20tn Gay ~
May, lII5, and declared independence. Also the
tombstone or Rev, humphrey Hunter buried at
Stcet creek, near mere, which bears the same in
s'tptlon. NO one ~ the pious people who ire-
tueht tnrse CHURCHES OF God 10 pay tAeir deyo-
Sons 10 he Deity ever presumed 10 doubt that
tScse silent memorials were anything nut the
diHt0, the Wnoe trutn and nothing Dut the truth.
~ suppose anything else would stamp their MEM
nly, Gear TO tRe people oil the state, Win MANY
nnu disgrace.
WHERE is THE ORIGINALLY
fhcre are those VINO will be reauy to excalm,
~ tse DECLARATION TOOK place as Is now asserted,
WY y ~ that ra9 original cory mas not peen pre-
served % TradlrIOn informs M thst moro rare 4