The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-09-26
CAUSE THAT LEAD TO THE REvOlU-
Tl0NARY WAR.
BY CLAUDIA W. HUNTER

BY CLAUDIA w. HUNTER.
paper read at the closing exercises of
Henderson Graded School May 10. 1907
Any person who is at all familiar
with North Carolina history will see
that the situation before the war was
carefully considered by the noted
men of the time, before any steps
were taken. The people of North
Carolina. represented by such men as
Ashe, Harvey and johnson, were we'll
aware that while success meant
freedom, defeat meant slavery, and
they had once plunged into battle,
there was no retreat.
Governor Dobbs was succeeded bv
Tryon, who left a name that will
never be forgotten in North Caro-
lima.
For the first two or three years Of
his rule, his popularity was unbound
ed, bat when news come that Parlia-
ment had passed a law called the
Stamp Act, requiring the public to
stamp their public documents, then
the first trouble began.
The first resistance the people
made to this law, was to take the
stamp agent before the Mayor and
force him to resign his office; the
next step was when Waddell and
Ashe informed the captain Of the
ship containing the stamps, not to
land the stamps.
This resistance made the Governor
furious, and he at once sought re-
venge.
With two hundred men he met
about two thousand citizens at Ala
nance. A battle ensued which re-
suited in the citizens being driven
from the field.
Many men lost their lives in this
fight, and though it ended in a defeat
for the time, it inspired North Caro-
lina's sons with a greater desire to
cast off British tyranny and to be a
free and independent people; even
though this freedom was purchased
with their life blood. WAS life so
dear or peace SO sweet as to be
bought with chains of slavery"
A short time after this fight Tryon
left North Carolina and was succeed
ed by Martin; more honorable
man and far better Governor. but
he too, failed to preserve peace.
On the fourth of December, 1773,
an Assembly met, which was of vital
Importance, for papers were received
from Virginia proposing Provincial
Congress.
Martin now began to realize how
weak the ties between England and the
Colonies were and issued proclama-
ton warning the people not to call
another Congress; however, another
was called which elected Harvey,
president.
This was the first great stride
towards freedom and though bold
one. was undertaken by bold and
fearless men.
Every day the breach widened; the
Governors orders were unheeded
another Congress was elected. yet in
all this North Carolina remained true
to the crown till May 10Th, when
| news was received of the battle of
Lexington, though this was only a
skirmish, it has been said that it
"fired the hearts of continent"
Men left their work, left the plows
in the field, and fastened into town.
At Charlotte, in response to this
message, many able men were
assembled that night found these
| men still in session and dawn crept
upon them unnoticed. At last, just
as the sun was rising, they came
forth bearing a declaration that
startled the civilized world; for they
had declared themselves an independ-
ent people, their aim was freedom,
and they had put this thought in
words; for this was the first Declare
ton of Independence.