The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-05-21


huenced the subsequent similar action o,
the united colonies cannot stand in need
of proof. 1t kindled the fires of liberty
everywhere. 1t encouraged the dream
and hope of a separate government. 1t
cheered the weak hearted and the waver.
ing, invigorated the just demands of the
people, and quarried the corner r-stone OF
the foundations of all our future great
ness
1t is natural that this commemoration
should possess greater interest than any
other which you observe 1t belongs to
your city, your county and your State.
1t has peculiar significance to YOU
which no other public event can impart.
ltappeals to your local pride, your social
pride, your pride of ancestry, your pride
of race
You go forward from this early Nav
day to the National Fourth of july day
as from
"Our happy prologue to the swelling act
! Of the imperial theme.
The great central and important
though ht of the Mecklenburg Declaration
was the idea of self-goverDment which
it boldly embodied. 1t was a protest
agaist oppression. 1t was also a distinct
repudiation of the divine right of kings
The wisdom of the convictions then
embodied in the Mecklenburg assump
ton of self government have been vim
| dlcated by over hundred years success
full administration of this Republic.
We may safely assert that our form of
government is no longer an experiment.
This people have demonstrated their
capacity to govern themselves. The
most intrepid pioneer who. more than a
centuary ago, led the advance in the
great struggle for political liberty and
self government, could hardly have anti
cipated so complete and so large an out
come as that which we behold between
the two nceans, the Great Lakes, and
the Gulf
The people of North Carolina sontri-
buted their full share throughout the
whole revolutionary struggle which fol-
lowed the county and the colonial decla-
ration 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 Court house and Kings
Mountain, and other notable and bloody
contests, where your citizen soldiers won
enduring laurcls over England's best dis
ciplined forces. The glourious victory
at Kings Mountains, occurring as it did
at most gloomy period of the
Revolution, when the hopes of patriots
mad been prostrated and the
enemies of America encouraged by the
disaster at Camden, turned the title in
the South in favor of the patriot cause as
did the victory of Trenton, under Wash
ingtOn, at the North.
The battle of Guilford court house.
where Greene measured swords with
CORVALLIS, was an important struggle,
where great military genius and valor
contended for mastery, and where the
cause of the whole country seemed to
be in jeopardy. The heroism of your
forefathers made your soil an uncom-
Portable abiding place for British soldiers.
But it is unnecessary to repeat in
your presence the story Of the Ameri-
can revolution, because you are as
familiar with it as household words.
Next to the story of the Savior it is
the first one you teach your children
! to read 1t sounds like a romance. 1t
partakes of some of the features of a
legend. 1t is a tale of resistance to un-
just exactions; of opposition to a re-
stricted commerce. of the struggle of a
brave people of thirteen colonies seek
ing to be free; of the effort to estab-
lish the right of revolution for Just
cause; of an unequal contest of right
against might for seven long years; of
numerous bloody battles and serious de
feats; Of many privations, hardships,
and woes; it is the narrative of a cause
which produced Washington to lead
its armies; young Lafayette to bring
succor and assistance from across the
waters; Franklin to give counsel; a
Jefferson to defend with his voice and
pen; it is the account of courage, hero
ism, and fortitude unsurpassed in the
annals of time. 1t tells of an army cross
ing the Delaware amid snow and ice; OF
the retreat of half starved patriot soldiers
with bare feet and bloody tracks; of the
capture of TicOnderoga lin the name OF
the Great Jehovah and the Continental
Congress-" of the intrepid Putnam's
great leap from the rocks; of the famous
exploits of "Marion's men," of the valol
of Mad Anthony Wayne" of the shame
full treason of an Arnold at critical pc
riod Of the contest; of the decisive battle
at Saratoga in the north and the subse
quent surrender of the English army un
der Cornwallis at Yorktown in the south
of the evacuation of New York; of the
final glorious triumph of the Continenta
armies; of the recognition of our inde
pendence and the establishment of free
Republic-this is the epitome' of the
Revolution.
am reminded of the fact that this
country has another proud claim to dis
tinction. 1t is the birthplace of Andrew
Jackson and James K. Polk, two Presi
dents Of the United States, two leader,
of great political party, two statesmen
whose memory the country delights tC
honor, and whose achievements have re
flected credit upon the country and State
of their nativity. Truly you live in {
most favored portion of our land. it wa
appropriate that these two great defend
ers of the rights of the people should
have been born at the spot where liberty
and independence we're first ushered int
existence.
The great heritage of freedom which
was transmitted to Us is ours-''Ours t.