The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-23
NORTH CAROLINA SOCIETY
IN WASHINGTON CELEBRATES
THE MEckLENBURG DECLARA
TON OF INDEPENDENCE.
Cap Lloyd Delivers an Address--Sena-
tor Butler and Gen. Cox Follow
With Appropriate Remarks
Anesral 0rnnra
Musical Programme.

to the News and Observer. THE North
Carolina Society celebrated the Mecklen-
burf Declaration of Independence at Con
federate Hall, in this CITY, on Thursday
night There was a very large attend
ance TO participate in the great event.
Mr.. James B. Lloyd, Assistant Door
keeper Of the United States Senate, who
had been invited to speak ON the occa-
sion addressed the audience briefly, as
follows: q
CAPT. LLOYD'S SPEECH.
Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen
consider it a great honor to speak to
you on this occasion, which is fraught
with such profound significance as re-
lates to the great State of North Caro-
lima.
On May 20, 1775, in Meckenhurg coun-
ty, North Carolina, there assembled II
grand band of patriots who formulated
the first American declaration of indepen-
dence, and in commemoration Of that
great event which marked glorious
epoch in American history, We are here
assembled tonight.
North Carolinians are by nature and by
grace n conservative people. but when
they realize that their rights are being
encroached upon, there are no people on
earth more prompt to resent IN insult or
resist oppression.
The Goth day of May is one that Is
cherished as sacred by all North Caro-
linains, for it marks the birthday of
American liberty. Great Britain sought
to impose upon us a system of govern
ment that was hostile to every sentiment
of liberty. She placed heavy burdens OF
taxation upon the colonies and yet denied
them the right of representation in her
| legislative councils: and this conduct ON
the part of the mother country was so
outrageous and tyrannical that as con-
sentative as our forefathers were, pa
thence and endurance with them ceased to
| be a virtue.
1t is striking characteristic of the
Anglo-SaXon race to resist oppression of
every character. and having in their
veins the best blood of the old country.
these typical representatives would not
yield cOmplacently TO the exactions made
upon them.
With solemn purpose and answering
determination, they declared that the col
onies should be free from British DONNA
ton. The spirit of liberty which they in
herited from their forefathers who wreSt-
etd from King John at Runnymede that
glorious declaration of rights-the i'm
mortal Magma Charta-culminated in
the first Declaration of Independence on
the Goth day of May, 1875. The love Of
liberty at first kindled in North Carolina
| b action of our brave, patriotic fore
fathers is now the common heritage of all
Americans.
The independence of the colonies and
the establishment of the greatest and
grandest republic of the world, where lib
erty is precious to all men, are due to the
patriotic and liberty-loving deeds of the
heroes of Mecklenburg. We revere their
memories and cherish their glorious deeds
of valOr and patriotism as priceless heri-
| tages.
| And while we have assembled here to-
night to celebrate the greatest event in
America. we should not let this oppor-
tunity pass Gnasmuch as our forefathers
gave their lives, their fortunes and their
sacred honor for liberty and independ
ence). to express our heartfelt symp.athy
for the Cuban patriots in their great
struggle to achieve independence and es-
tablish their own form of government.
with justice and liberty as it's corner
stone.
Let us, as North Carolinians, honor
ourselves and the memories of our immor-
tai fOrefathers who died for liberty, by
placing on record our desire and hope
for the ultimate achievement of Cuban
independence North Carolina, true to
her patriotic instincts and noble impulses
always loves liberty and justice.
attend her,
While we live. we will cherish protect
and defend her.
Though the scOrner NAV sneer. a+ aud
Writings defame her,
Yet our hearts swell with gladness wbor-
ever we name her"
MUSICAL PROGRAMME
Mrs. Rex Smith sang a delightful solo
which was thoroughly enjoyed by the an.
dlence. instrumental solos were tbar
rendered by Mrs. Parker, DR.. Canebort
the ''Prestidigitator," gave an exhibition
assisted by Mr.. Anderson, which NJ
vOked considerable merriment
SENATOR BUTLER SPEARS
Senator Butler, being present wss
called upon for a speech. He RESPONDED
eloquently in reference to the memorohIa
occasion ON honof'of, which we had os
sembled to celebrate. He said tbot theso
was one striking CHARACTERISED -
North Carolinians. and that WAS .bot
tney were too modest in upholdine, H..
claims for the position which No-th Ts
rolina maintained prior to the rav,In.; "a
anu SINCE that great period in the comn
ny history He said that eyerv Ill n.nr
OF North Carolina history, from n. H 1
OF the revolution to the present t;, re u'lte
lull OF honor and glory. His speech r we
splendid impression and was haa'.a s,e
applauded. vas heSirtlly
c GEN, COX CONCLUDES,
zen. Cox, in conclusion of tho rxo
OF the evening, made apnronr;o r ~
marks on the occasion. He so;a a.. re-
t" carolina had always upheld tho
banner OF liberty, In the late war an
;ording to her population, she contrihrt az
more men to the Southern canso ga 9I n5
more slain on the battlefields thar n nou
other Southern State. That nc NJ
Carolinian, he was proud of tho Gu atn
and the glorious record which Sho ~
in peace and in war N'''
A unanimous vote of thanks vros g.,
iered the speakers for their oJdro., 'en-
after which the society adjourned 70 nS"st
again in October. ~ meet