The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1889-05-10

they SWEPT onward after their prey, and
like an eagle when found they seized it,
in defiance Of all military rules, in its own
chosen position of strength. Authors,
orators and military critics have dwelt
alike upon this
Nondrous Feat of Arms.
It's timely Importance to the patriotic cause
and its unexampled heroism.
To me, it appears impossible for Ian
guage to over estimate its Importance or
to do adequate justice to the courage au-
dacity and like skill which enabled
unframed militia, without artillery, with
out bayonets, without even discipline, with
simply hunting rifles and inadequate am
munition, to assault fortified mountain
heights defended by almost equal numbers,
part of whom were trained veteran
troops-and carry them by storm
The next most serious check which was
given 10 the royal advance was inflicted
At the CoWpens
in December, 1880. Furious at the de-
struction of Ferguson's command, Corn
wallis hurried forward to retrieve the
disaster of the celebrated and hitherto in
vlncible cavalry commader, Colonel Tar
Teton, With considerable force of splendid
troops. de was met at the COwpens by
General Morgan with large force of the
patriotic militia of North and South Caro-
lina-many of whom had participated in
the victory at Kings Mountain-and was
signally defeated with the loss of large
number of killed, wounded and prisoners
Thus two most important detachments
of the royal invading army havi ig been
defeated-one being absolutely DESTROYED
Lord CORVALLIS being justly alarmed
for the success of the campaign and
smarting from humiliation and defeat,
determined upon prompt and aggressive
advance which should subdue all opposi-
tlon and restore all lost prestige of his
army. From this time forward until fate
compelled him to retreat from the State,
it is impossible to withhold from him our
admiration at his high military qualities,
as evnced by the discipline of his troops
and the wisdom and moderation of his
conduct. But it was decreed that he
should fail, and on this spot where we
now stand, in 1881, the finishing blow
was given to all his prospects for subju-
eating the Southern colonies, and which
drove him to his ships at Wilmington and
finally to the end at Yorktown.
From this day dates the real freedom
and
Independence of North Carolina.
Had he not been here successfully re-
sisted had the army of General Greene
been destroyed as Ferguson's had been at
Kings Mountain, beyond all question the
independence of these colonies would
have been indefinitely postponed.
How this battle was fought and subse-
quently won, and the part which our
North Carolina ancestors took therein,
I will not attempt to describe to day. 1t
has been done again and again by our
| historians ard orators, by Hawks, Graham.
Swain and Caiulhers, but never so well
and completely done as by the honorable
gentleman David Schenck, who diScOurSed
to you ar your last celebration, and to
whose untirng and patriotic exertions we
are indebted for these efforts to keep alive
the memory OF our liberty loving fore
fathers.
What then was their work2 What is
the monument which they that day erected
to themselves as seen in the result? Sup
pose an intelligent stranger were here and
he We're told to search for that monument
by looking around, what would he see2
He would behold a free and independent
commonwealth. which for mo1e than a
| hundred years has enjoyed the blessings
of liberty and which has advanced steadily
! without retrOgreSslOn or anarchy in all the
| paths of prosperity and civilization. So
we'll did they build that after more than a
century OF trial
| No Flaw Has Been Found
in the structure, no weakening, no evi-
dence of decay. Straight forward it has
marched, still upward it has grown, in
population, in wealth, in intelligence,
without pause or delay, save only in the
ever memorable and ever damnable Gays
| of reconstruction.
| So much do We already see of the re-
suits of their wisdom and valor But
what of the things in the future which we
do not see? What poetic vision, though
| reaching far as as angels ken" can pic
ture that future which awaits this people,
or point out where the influence of the
deeds done on this spot in 1881 shall cease
to affect their destinies2
| l have said that the fruit of their labors
constituted the true monument of our an
cestors; that for themselves no other was
needed, but that others were needed for
u.s. That for our own sakes we should
celebrate and erect shafts in order to dem
onstrate what was in their own hearts.
| 1t has long been a matter of reproach
that North Carolina has done so little to
perpetuate in stone her love for her sages
and heroes. The days when the foot of
the first Anglo Saxon was placed upon
| American soil is known historically but
the spot where the colony of the great and
splendid Raleigh landed is unmarked by
single memento. The genesis of tn,
mightiest revelation in the history OF
nations, WAS upon North Carolina soil
yet we have left
Neglected Both the Time and Place.
The men of the Mecklenburg Declaration
have as yet no monument. Until the pa
triotic impulse inspired one man, whose
enthusiasm inspired you, this sacred spo
| had no commemoratiOn. Cross Greek anC
Moore Creek are yet without stone
The Battle of the Regulators, where tn,
first blood was shed for real liberty il
America is unmarked and unsignified t.
the traveller. Davie and Davidson ant
Shelby. Severe, Cleveland, Mcdowell, Lii
lington, Harnett, Moore, all sleep in grave
hallowed by patriotism, but unknown saw
only to private affection. The honor o
those who died for North Carolina shoul,
be as sacred as the virtue of our mothers
The Thanks of Our People
are due to all those who have come for
ward to defend our countrymen and Sc
cure for them justice in history. Notabl
among those who have thus earned ou
gratitude l am glad to mention Judg
David Schenk, Capt. W. +. Bond and Col
w. L. Saunders. The research and labo
of these patriotic gentlemen have alread
visibly af1ected the tone of contemporar
authors; and l beg to assure them of tn
appreciation of their countrymen. OF ou
abundance We should everywhere erec
those lasting testimonials of our apprec
alton of all our great and patriotic citizens