The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-09-04
THESTATE OF FRANKLIN,
ONCE FORMED AN IMPORTANT PART
OF THE UNION.

and Then Disappeared From the ISIS.
terhood of States"-Its Chief Money,
The State Of Franklin once formed,
In area if not in population, all impor.
tant part of the Union, says writer
in the Chicago Post. It had it's execu-
tive, legislative and judicial depart.
ments; exercised governmental func-
tons, maintained respectable militia,
dourished apace, and then, after a
varied experience, completely disap-
peared from the 'sisterhood of States -
From historians the State of Franklin
has received scant attention, and to
the majority Of the present generation
its identity with the State Of Tennes-
see seems almost as mythical as that Of
Plato's Atlantis with the American
continent.
One DESTROYS Of dwelling on the no.
nance of facts may find much to at
tract in this obscure chapter of our Ma
tional history. A few thousand noun
taineers, in remote wilderness, in
fused with the principles which in
spired the Revolution, had banded to-
gether and formed State government
of their own. With John Sewer. an
ideal frontiersman, as the hero, with
local self-government as the animating
motive, with variety of plots and
counter plots to lend picturesqueness
Of incident, with phases of comedy, in
terspersed now and then with episodes
truly tragic, the drama was acted out
amid the scenery furnished by the
mountain regions of Tennessee.
When the American Revolution
broke out, what is now the State of
Tennessee was an unorganized, sparsely
settled territory. In 1776 its inhabi-
tants, under the leadership of Captain
Sewer, petitioned the North Carolina
Legislature to be annexed to that
State in order to contribute their share
toward National independence. AS
the expenses of the war bore heavily
on ''the old North State" her Legisla.
ture was only too glad to divide the
burden. The petition was granted,
and what is now Tennessee formed
part'of North Carolina until the close
Of the Revolution. AS it had now be-
come source of expense rather than
help, the North Carolina Legislature,
in June, 1854, without consulting those
most affected, coded to the Federal
Government the whole annexed terri
tory under the name of the District of
Washington provided the Government
should, within two years, signify it's
assent.
The settlers, naturally Directing to
such a wholesale disposition of them
selves, rose up in wrath. The manner
and conditions of the cession were re.
pugnant and the people felt that they
had not only been trided with, but
subjected to two years of anarchy and
disorder. Calling a convention in
August, 1884, they formed the State
Of Franklin. The North Carolina
Legislature, realizing its error,
fastened to undo its mistake and re-
annexed the washington district"
The inhabitants of Franklin rejected
offers for reconciliation, and Captain
Sewer, though at first inclined to ad.
wise return Of allegiance to North
Carolina, yielded to an overwhelming
public sentiment and accepted the.
Governorship Of the new State. He
was inauguzated at Watauga, March
\ 1855. Some sort Of order was now
established, at least for time. A
courtw created, the militia thorough
~ reorganized and peace effected with
Indians who had been carrying on a
destructive warfare for quarter of q
century.
But peace did not long prevail.
Complications arose which kept the
young State Of franklin in constant
turmoil. Congress still asserted
jurisdiction. A reaction, stimulated
by disappointed ofice.seekers, ensued
among those who had been most
clamorous for the new State. Jealousy
of Sewers success animated his rivals,
who henceforth sought to make his
life burden. The population was
divided into the Franklin and the
North Carolina factions. Elections
were held and appointments made un-
der the laws of both States. Two sets
of officers claimed authority, each
multiplying the acts of the other. One
faction would steal the public records
from the other, only to be treated in
like manner in turn. The courts were
in a chaotic condition. Wills could
MOTH proved, titles perfected or justice
administered. No taxes were paid.
Marriages performed by officials of
one faction were not recognized by the
other.
Still the determined young State
fought for its life. It exercised even
Federal power and authorized the coin
age of specie, though its chief medium
Of exchange continued to be the skins
of wild animals. Finally emissaries