The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-09-16
Ole Wessen9er.
SOME CHEERFUL FIRST FACTS
FOR NORTH CT ROLGNIANS As TO
THE PAST.

and sighted her and have been bla-
tant and boastful in their W behalf.
When applied to communities and com
monwealths it is not true that real
worth requires no interpreter" and
that glorious deeds and noble words
will secure proper recognition and
form the blazonery of a state, wheth-
er asserted or not. 1t is even true that
often modest personal merit is slight
Ell, overlooked, when the man of
Cheek and self-assertion and indeli-
cacy will push to the front and receive
the applause Of the million.
1t has been apparent to this writer
since the earliest misrepresentation
of North Carolina in the war and soon
after, that it was high time that North
Carolinians should take the velvet
from their mouths, and speak out from
rostrum and printing press boldly and
Enthusiastically in behalf Of our people
and state. We unhesitatingly assert
that the truth of history fully warrants
us in claiming for North Carolina the
following facts in which she is first"
These facts were first gathered in 1876,
and are embodied in a very elaborate
address made by him on 4th July
1876, at Oxford, by the request of the
people of that historic county. These
points were repeated (and possibly
e~xtended) in a literary address deliv-
cred at Wilson before the female col
lege probably in 1883.
1. The first English settlement made
on the American continent was on
Roanoke Island on 4th July 1884.
2. The first white child born of Eng
lish parents was Virginia Dare, who
was born on Roanoke Island on 18th
August 1884.
3. The first revolution in America by
which t~yrannical and unrighteous gov
ernment was overthrown, was in Abe
marie in 1876.
4. The first tractate or paper ever
published in America, we believe, in
resistance to tyranny and oppression
emanated from North Carolina-from
the county of Granville, in 1865, and
was signed "Nutbush."
5. The first open blood shed on the
American continent in battle, in de-
fence of liberty and in resistance to
tyranny and wrong doing, was at Ala
nance on 10th May 1771.
6. The first opposition by an organ-
ICED assembly to the tax on tea, and
ne unjust rule of Great Britain, was
made by the First Provincial congress
held at Newbern, on 25th August, 1874.
7. The first reasonable and open de-
fiance of the power and authority of
Great Britain, occurred at Charlotte
on Goth May, IT'S, when a Declaration
of Independence was made, and on
31st May, 1775, a series of Resolutions
were adopted by which a new govern
ment was set up.
8. The first colony to instruct her
delegates in general congress to de-
clare independence of the British
crown, was North Carolina. This she
did on 18th April 1875, at Halifax,
where the colonial congress was in ses-
sion. That at least is our reading. If
any colony has so early a date we are
not informed of it.
9. The first important victory gained
over the British troops was at Moore's
Creek Bridge, in Fender county, on
9th February 1776. Over four months
before the national declaration of in
dependence.
10. The first state in number of
troops furnished in proportion to pop
'ulation in the war between the south
and the north, was North Carolina.
She sent into the wal 1926, 900, or more,
of effective troops. And yet her larg-
est vote polled prior to the war was
$500. She lost by battle and sick
ness Al 1000 men.
In the first ten particulars we think
North Carolina stands first among the
sisterhood of states.
We find in the address at Oxford a
claim that appears obscure, and, as we
write, have not opportunity to examine
it. 1t is that 1.-The first open resistance
to British authority occurred on the
Cape Fear river in 1866, under Colonies
Waddell and Ashe."
Stand by North Carolina. In this
dark and doleful hour she needs your
help, your backbone. In the past she
was worthy. She provided generously
for you from her rich and teeming
stores. She now needs your love,
yOur fidelity. your protection yOur