The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1889-11-29
HON. JEFFERSON DAVIS.
FULL TEXT OF HIS PATRIOTIC
LETTER
Which Was Read at the Fayetteville
Centennial Cele ebratiOn Last Thursday

FAYETTEVILLE, n. c., Nov. 81, 1852
This afternoon, before the oration, Col.
WHARTON J. GREEN, Chairman of the In
vitation Committee, read letters of regret
from PRESIDENT HARRISON and EX PREsI-
DENT CLEVELAND. at the mention of
CLEyELAND's name there was loud and con-
tinued cheering Col. GREEN then read
the following letter from Hon JEFFERSON
DAVIS, exPresident of the Southern Con
federacy:
BEAUvoIR, Miss, Oct 80, 1889
MEssRs. WHARTON J. GREEN, JAS. G. MAC
RAE, c. W. BRoADFOoT, NELL w. RAY,
W. G. MCDUFFIE. COMMITTEE:
GENTLEMEN:-Yourl letter inviting me to
attend North Cardinals Centennial, to be
held at Fayetteville on the 21st of Novem-
Der next, was duly received, but this ac-
acknowledgement has been delayed under the
hope that an improvement in my condi
tion would enable me to be present as in
vlted. AS the time approaches | find that
cherished hope unrealized and that must
regretfully confess my inability TO join
you in the commemorative celebration. 1t
has been my wish to meet the people of
the ''Old North State on the occasion
which will naturally cause them with just
pride to trace the historic river of their
years to its source in the colony Of Abe
marie.
All along that river stand monuments
of fidelity to the inalienable rights of the
people, even when an infant, successfully
resisting executive usurpation and in the
defence of the privileges guaranteed by
charter boldly defying kinss, lords and
commons. Always self reliant yet not
i,,I,y al no Iol So h,,r
own defence while giving material aid to
her neighbors. as she regarded all the
British colonies of America Thus she
sent troops armed and equipped for ser
vice in both Virginia and South Carolina;
also despatched a ship from the port of
Wilmington with food for the sufferers in
Boston after the closing of that port by
Great Britain.
His VeneratiOn for Bravery.
In her declaration that 1.-The cause of Bos
ton was the cause CT all' there was not
only the assertion of a community of
rights and purpose to defend them, but
self-abnegatlon Of the commercial advan-
tages which would pl obably accrue from
the closing of a rival port. Without dim
mutton of regard for the great and good
men OF the other colonies. | have been led
to special veneration for the men of North
for State independence and from the first
to the last TO uphold the right of people
to govern themselves. | do not propose
to discuss the vexed question of the Meek
lenburg resolutions OF May, 1878, which,
from the similarity of expression TO the
great Declaration OF Independence OF July.
1916, have created much contention. be
cause the claim of North Carolina rests on
a broader foudation than the resolves of
of the meeting at Mecklenburg, which de-
serve to be preserved as the outburst of a
brave, liberty loving people on the receipt
of news of the combat at Concord between
British soldiers and citizens Of MaSSachu-
SettS.
The broader foundations referred to are
the records of events preceding and sue
ceeding the meeting at Mecklenburg ana
the proceedings of the Provincial Congress
which met at hlllsboro IN August, 1875
Before this Congress convened North Car
olina, in disregard OF opposition by the
Governor, had sent delegates TO represent
her 10 the General Congress to be held in
Philadelphia, and had denounced the at
tack upon Boston and had appointed com
mtteeS of safety with such far-reacning
functions as belong to revolutionary times
only. The famous Stamp act of Parla
ment was openly resisted by men of the
highest reputation, vessel bringing the
stamps was seized and the COMMANDER
bound not to permit them TO be landed.
These things were done IN open day by
men who were not disguised and stunned
no question.
Before the Congress Of the province had
mbled the last royal Governor of North
Carolina had fled to escape from tie in
dignation of a people who, burCended but
not bent by Oppresslol, had resolved 10
live or die as free men. The Congress at
Hilsboro went earnestly to work not
merely to declare independence, bat to
provide the means of maintaining it. The
Congress, feeling quite equal 10 the occa-
sion, proceeded to make laws for raising
and organizing troops, for supplying mon
ey and to meet the contingency of a block
ade of her SeapOrtS, and offered bountles
to stimulate the production of the articles
most useful in time of war. On the 12th
of April, 1916, the Continental Congress
being then in session, and with much di-
versity of opinion as to the proper course
to be pursued under this condition of at
fairs, the North Carolina. Congress re-
solved THAT the delegates for this colony
in the Continental Congress, be empower
ed to concur with the delegates of the
other colonies in declaring independently
and forming foreign alliances, reserving
W TIC CoiOuy tIC ooiO "iN O--NiuSA'O - IA.
of forming constitution and laws for the
colony" &C., &c.
First to Declare For Freedom.
This, l believe, was the first distinct
declaration for the separation from Great
Britain and State independence, and there
is much besides priority to evoke admira-
ton. North Carolina had by many acts
of resistance to the British authorities
provoked their vengeance, yet she dared
to lead in defiance; but no danger, how
ever dread, in the event of her isolation
could make her accept cooperation save
v ith the reservation of supremacy IN re-
gard to her own constitution and laws
the sacred principle of community lnde-
pendence" and government founded on the
consent of the governed.
After having done T whole duty in
the war for Independence and become q
free, sovereign and independent State, She
entered III the Confederation with these
rights and powers recognized as una
bridged When experience proved the
Articles of Confederation to be inadequate
to the needs Of good government she
agreed to general convention for their
amendment. The Convention did not
limit its labors to amendments OF the artl
cles, but proceeded to form new plan of
government and adhering to the cardinal
principle that government must be de-
rived from the consent of the governed,
submitted the new p an to the people of
the several States to be adopted or reject
cd aS aach nv and for itself should decide