Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-21

ffeHf '-f+R-N'fA We Dt-hOAha0t-
Fellow-c citizens of North Carolina, it
IS not quite enough TO say that the
Mecklonburg patriots of l715 won and
wear the unique fame OF the precursors
of American Independence.
The North Carolina koh-i-noor blazes
from a broader facet with finer
light The Mecklen5urg patriots of 1715
also carried onward the very eyapgel OF
Democracy
A long renown TO the Mecklenburg
patriots OF l775, the precursors OF Ameri-
can independence
But deathless renown to self-respect-
ing. self-governing freemen. capable to
rend assunder and destroy that un-
serviceable body OF government which
no longer fifty houses and serves the soul
OF liberty
This great decision of tho Mecklen-
burg forefsthers, / say, bears every
mark of the highest style Of self-govern-
ment.
OF pure Democracy there is no finer
type.
No orders came laundering down
from the seat of centralized power.
They cOnversed with one another and
determined their course in this county
of Mecklenburg, and then staked the
fortunes AMI lives OF the ireemen as Of
less value than their liberty.
Liberty TO do what
Liberty 10 establish instice and main
tain II liberty 10 surround and guard
their own social order with all their
united force liberty to keep off the
encroachmcnts Of the officers of govern
ment 10y keeping in hand the sum and
methods Of taxation and holding the
tenure of the officer at the pleasure Of
his constituents.
Such is the attitude Of freemen.
Such is the mind OF the Democrat
Democrat in the bIoadest sense, mean.
And then, what courage of the patriot.
Can you conceive of seryility IN souls
| like theirs? Can you conceive OF
demaeogue making headgay IN this
| company
Let us keep before they eyes of our
| ellow-countrymcn, thronging hither
from all lands, tins type and high style
of true Democracy, this type aud nobler
stvle Of humanity. is that too proud
claim?
| CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DECLARATION TX
TRAORDISARY.
The circumstances Of the Mecklen-
burg declaration were most extraordi-
nary. There had been no recent con-
tlict upon North Carolina soil she had
no grievances which were not common
to all the colonies Mecklenburg was in
a portion Of the country remote from
the centres Of population there was no
immediate prospect Of foreign invasion
of its territory or actual impending
injury TO It's citizens; 1t was
period Of darkness and uncertainty IN
which the future could not be predicted
vet this people, without consultation
with other localities. aud without pledges
Of assistance from other colonies, relying
upon the truth and justice of their cause.
with " war in each heart and freedom on
| each brow" unaided and alone, set the
ball in motion and boldly inaugurated
a righteous rebellion, the result OF which
no one could foretell. The recollection
Of this chivalric but perilous undertaking
constitutes a source of pride TO the state
Of North Carolina lever to be cherished,
never 90 be forgotten.
The same firm determination and high
spirit which led TO the early pronuncia-
meDto Of 1775, more than year IN adj
vance of all the other colonies, charac-
terized the conduct of your people
during all the dark and stormy days
which followed. Lord CORVALLIS nm
willingly paid your forefathers com
D.. .Iaa1oco1 ( fhQrlAftn IN
/ be- 1.-THE hornets nest OF North Caro-
lna"-a reputation which, l am ln-
formed. it has ever since glorlously
maintained.
THE DECLARATION MOMENToUs.
The Mecklenburg declaration was
momentous in its consequences because
II was the inception OF successful reyo-
lntion. 1t was never retracted. 10 was
| uuiaue. 1t was so startling IN Its bold
| ness. so grand in its conception, so po-
| tent in its influence for the good OF man
! kind, and so securely intrenched IN those
eterna. principles which it cOncisely en-
bodied that its stands forth conspicuous
"a an Unprecedented event, a wholly
| American page III the history OF the
worlds progress. That it largely IN
fuenced the subsequent similar acton
of the united colonies cannot stand IN
need of proof. 1T kin1led the fires OF
liberty everywhere. 1t encouraged the
dream and hope of a separate govern
mept II cheered the weak-hearted and
the wayering, inyigorated the Just de-
mands Of the people, and quarrled the
cornerstone of the foundations OF all
our future greatness.
The great central and important
! thought of the Mecklenburg declaration
WAS the idea of seli-government which
II boldly embodied. 1t WAS protest
against oppression. 1t was also DIS
tinct reputation Of the divine right OF
/ kings The wisdom of the convictions
then embodied in the Mec6lenburg as
sumption Of seh-goyernment have bee n
vindicated by over u hundred years
successful administration of this repuo-
lie. We may safely assert that our
! form of government Is no longer an ex-
periment. This people have demon
strated their capacity to govern them
selves. The most intrepid pioneers who
more than a century ego led the ad-
vance in tho great struggle for political
liberty and self-government could hard
ly have anticipated so complete ana so
LARGE an outcome as that which we be-
hold between the two oceans, the great
! lakes, and the gulf.
NORTH CAROLINA II THE REVOLUTION.
The people of North Carolina con
tributed their full share throughout the
whole revolutionary struggle when Ioi-
lowed the country and the coioniai aec'a,
rations of Independence. The valor OF
their troops WAS displayed on every
southern battlefield. The State itself
was the constant theatre of important
engagements and stirring events We do
not need to be reminded of the achieve
ments at Guilford Courthouse and Kings
Mountain and other notable and bloody
contests, where your citizen-soldlers
won enduring laurels over England 5
best disciplined forces. Inc glorious
| E.,r'a Mountain occurring