The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-09-22
Wilmington MessenperD

North Carolina has been all along
modest in asserting her claims among
the "states," when others have de-
famed and slighted her and have been
blatant and boastful in their own be-
half. When applied to communities
and commonwealths it is not true
that ''real worth requires no inter
prefer" and that glorious deeds and
noble words will secure proper rec
ognition and from the blazonrv of
state, whether asserted or not. 1t
is even true that often modest per-
sonal merit is slighed, overlooked,
when the man of '.cheek" and self
assertion and indelicacy 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 unhesitat-
ingly assert that the truth of history
fully warrants us in claiming for
North Carolina the following facts in
which she is s'tirst" These facts
were gathered in 1876. and are en-
bodied in very elaborate address
made by him on the 4th July, 1876,
at Oxford, by the request of the peo-
pie of that historic county. These
points were repeated (and possibly
extendedD in 4 literary address deliv-
cred at Wilson before the female col
lege probably in 1888:
/. The first English settlement
made on the American continent was
on Roanoke Island on 4th July, 1884.
:. The first white child born of
English parents was Virginia Dare,
who was born on Roanoke Island on
18th August, 1884.
3. The first revolution in America
by which tyrannical and unrighteous
Government was overthrown, was in
Albemarle in 1876.
1. The first tractate or paper ever
published in America, we believe, in
resistance to tyranny and oppression
emanated from North CarOlin-from
the county of Granville, in 1865, and
was signed '.Nutbush.'
5. The first open blood shed on
the American continent in battle, in
defence of liberty and in resistance
to tyranny and wrong doing, was at
Alamance on 10th May, III.
g. The first opposition by an or
ganized assembly to the tax on tea,
and the unjust rule of Great Britain,
was made by the First Provincial
Congress held at Newbern, on 25th
August, IVA.
Z. The first reasonable and open
defiance of the power and authority
of Great Britain, occurred at Char
lotte on goth May, 1775, when a Dec
laration of independence was made,
and on 31st May, 1775, series OF
Resolutions were adopted by which a
new Government 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 Hall
fax, where the colonial Congress was
in session. That at least is our read
ing. Ii any colony has so early a
date we are not informed of it.
8. The first important victory
gained over the British troops was at
Moore's Creek Bridge, in Pender
county. on 9th February, l776. Over
four months before the national dec
laration of independence.
10. The first state in number Of
troops furnished in proportion to
population in the war between the
South and the North, was North
Carolina She sent into the war
l26, 600, or more, of effective troops.
And yet her largest vote polled prior
to the war was 112.5 She lost by
battle and sickness Al 900 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
axamine t. 1t is that 1.-The first open
resistance to British authority oc-
Cured on the Cape Fear river in
| 1866, under Colonels Waddell and
] Ashe.'
Stand by North Carolina. In this
dark and doleful hour she needs your
help. your backbone. In the pas t
she was worthy. She provided
generously for You from her rich and
teeming stores. She now needs your
love. your fidelity, your protection,
your manhood. Mrs. Mary Bayard
Clarke wrote many years ago:
| tell you ye are wanting in the noble pride
OF state,
IL from choice you shall desert her and