The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1890-01-09
DAVIS LAST LETTER.
Written to the Committee of the
Fayetteville CentenniaI.--NO-
bic Sentiments and High
Praise to North Caro-
linians.
ontinucd from last issue

y "A''''1 - w. DfNrS'JoO1, ~
". Roy, VIC McDuGIe, Com.
On the 10Th Of April, 1776, the
Continental Congress being then
in session, and with much d.
versity Of opinion as to the prop
er course TO be pursued under
the condition of affairs, the n.
G. Congress resolved "That the
delegates for this colony in the
Continental Congress be en-
powered to concur with the del
egateS of the other colonies in
declaring independency and for
ming foreign alliances, reserv-
ing tc the colony the sole and
exclusive right Of forming a
constitution and laws for this
colony" &c.
This, 1 believe, was the first
distinct declaration for the sep
aration from Great Britain and
State independence, and there
is much besides priority to e.
woke admiration. North Caro-
lima had by many acts of resist
auce to the British authorities
provoked their vengeance, yet
she dared to lead in defence; but
no danger, however dread, in
the event of her isolation could
make her accept co operation
save with the reservation of su-
prcmacy in regard to her own
constitution and laws-the sa-
cred principle of community in
dependence and government
founded on the consent of the
governed
After having done her whole
duty in the war for independ-
ence and become a free, sover-
eign and independent State, she
entered into the Confederation
with these rights and powers
recognized and unabridged.
When experience proved the
Articles ofConfederation to be
inadequate to the needs of good
government she agreed to a gen.
eral convention for their amend
ment. The convention did not
limit it's labOrS to amendment
of the articles, but proceeded to
form a new plan of government
and, adhering to the cardinal
principle that government must
be derived from the consent OF
the governed, submitted the
new plan to the people of the
several States to be adopted OIL
rejected as each by and for it
self should decide.
1t is to be remembered thai
the Articles of Confederation
for the :United States of Amer
. ica" declared that The Unior
shall be perpetual, aud that NJ
/, alteration should be made il
! the said articles unless it shou(
"be confirmed by the Legisla
ture of every State" True t'
her creed Of State sovereignity ty
J North Carolina recognized th'
power of such States as chos
to do so to withdraw from tn
Union; and by the same tokel
her own unqualified right to de
eide whether or not she woul'
subscribe to the proposed com
y pact for a more perfect Union
and in which it is to be ebeerv
ed the declaration for perpetu
ity was omitted. In the hare
+ school of experience she ha'
= learned the danger to popula
n liberty from a government
o which could claim to be the f
nal judge of its own powers
i She had fought long and dc
q vastating war for State indepen
y dence, and was not willing t
put in jeopardy the priceless
jewel she had gained. After
careful examination it was COZ
J. cluded that the proposed com
g titution did not sufficient
guard against usurpation by tn
e usual resort to implication {
- powers not expressly granted
Ie and declined to act upon til
D general assurance that the del
,e cheney would soon be supple
, by the needful amendm ent
7 In the meantime State aftt
= State had acceded to the lie
es Union until the necessary nun
te Der had been obtained for tt
is establishment of the "constit
Of ton between the States to rat
49, oIfying the same" With chaIa
nc teristic self-reliance North Ca
IL olina confronted the prospect
is isolation, and calmly resolve
o. if so it must be, to stand alol
in rather than to subject to haza
. her most priced possession
" community independence. GO
'r fding in the security offered
he the first ten amendments to Il
zs' constitution, especially the 81
of and 10Th of the series, Nor
- Carolina voluntarily acceded
the new Union. Tie tenth
|" mendment restricted the fun
GU tlons of the Federal Cover
it. ment TO the exercise of t.
nnuarS dalarate ed to it hV [.