The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-01-07

zens of Massachusetts. The broader
foundations referred to are the records
of events preceding and succeeding the
! meeting at Mecklenburg, and the pro-
! ceedings of the Provincial Congress
, which rnet at Hillsbcro in August,
| 1775. Before this Congress convened
| North Carolina, in disregard of oppo-
F, sition by the Governor, had sent dele
gates to represent her in the general
| Congress, to be held in Philadelphia, ,
had denounced the attack upon Boston,
and had appointed COMMITTEES of safety,
with such far-reaching functions as be-
long to revolutionary times only.
The famous Stamp act of Parliament
was openly resisted by men Of highest
reputation, and vessel, bringing the
stamps, was seized, and the comma n
der bound not to permit them to be
| landed. These things were done in
open day by men who wore no disguise
and Stunned no question.
Before the Congress of the Province
had assembled the last royal Governor
of North Carolina had fed to escape
from the indignation Of people who,
| burdened but not bent by oppression,
had resolved to live or die as freemen.
The Congress at Hillsboro went earn
estly to work, not merely to declare
independence but to provide means for
maintaining it. The Congress, feeling
quite equal to the occasion, proceeded
to make laws for raising and organic
ing troops, and supplying money; and,
IN n nf
of her seaports, offered bounties to
stimulate the production of articles
most needful in time Of war. On the
18th of April, l776, the Continental
Congress being then in session, and
with much diversity Of opinion as to
the proper course to be pursued under
this condition OF affairs, the North Car
olina Congress resolved, that 1.-THE DEL
egates for this colony in the Continen-
tai Congress be empowered to concur
with the delegates of the other colonies
lin declaring independence and forming
| foreign alliances, reserving to this COL
ony the sole and exclusive right of
forming constitution and laws for this
colony" sc.
This, believe, was the first distinct
declaration for State independence and
separation from Great Britain, and
there is much besides priority to evoke
admiration. North Carolina had, by
many acts of resistance to the British
authorities, provoked their vengeance,
yet she dared to lead in defiance; but
no danger, however dread, in the event
of her isolation, could make her accept
cooperation, save with the reservation
of supremacy in regard to her own con-
stitution and laws, and the sacred prin-
ciples Of community independence and
government founded on the consent of
the governed. After having done her
whole duty in the war for indepen-
dence, and become free, sovereign and
independent State, she entered into the
Confederation with these rights and
powers recognized as unabridged.
When experience proved the articles
of Confederation to be inadequate to
the needs OF good government, she
agreed to general convention for their
amendment. The convention did not
limit its labors to amendment of the
articles, but proceeded to form new
plan of government; and, adherlng to
the cardinal principle that governments
must be derived from the consent Of
the governed, submitted the new plan
to the people Of the several States, to
be adopted or rejected as each by and
for itself should decide.
1t is to be remembered that the ar
ticles of Confederation for the ''United
States of America" declared that 1.-THE
union shall be perpetual," and that nc
alteration should be made in the said
articles unless It should be ''confirmed
by the legislature of every State. -
True to her creed of State sovereignty,
North Carolina recognized the power
of such States as chose to do SO to wi tn
draw from the Union, and. by the same
token, her own unqualified right to de
eide whether u; not she would sub
scribe to the proposed compact for 4
more perfect union, and from which
it is to be observed, the declaration
> for perpetuity was omitted. In the
, hard school Of experience she hat
> learned the danger to popular libert,
from a government which could CLAIM
to be the final Judge of its own powers
She had fought long and devasta
ting war for State independence, an,
was not willing to put i'll jeopardy tn
priceless jewel she had gained. Afte
: Il careful examination, it was cOnclud
l ed that the proposed Constitution dl
not sufficiently guard against usurpa
ton by the usual resort to implication
. of powers not expressly granted, an
lo hn nor0
. assurance that the deficiency wou
soon be supplied by the needfui amend
ments. In tie meantime, State afte
E State had acceded to the new Union
f until the requisite number had bee
a obtained for the esta blishment Of tn
Q "Constitution between the States s
f ratifying the same
4 With characteristic self reliance
2 North Carolina confronted the pro:
pect of isolation, and calmly resolved
e if so it must be, to stand alone rathe
= than subject to hazard her most prize
: possession, Community Iadep endence.
s Confiding in the security offered b
9 the first ten Amendments to the Cor
o stitution, especially the 9th and lot
Ii of the series, North Carolina voluutal
lily acceded to the new Union. TIL
d 10th Amendment restricted the fun'
5 tions of the Federal Governments. to Il
y exercise of the powers delegated to
T. by the States, all of which were espe
e tally stipulated.
'e Beyond that limit nothing could
done rightfuliy, if covertly done, und
Of color of law, or by reckless usurpatit
E. of an extraneous majority, which. fee
st ing power, should disregard right. hi
u the State no peaceful remedy: Cou