The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-06-13
THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY THAT CHAR
ACTERlZES NORTH CAROLINlANS.
BY MARY BELLE GARY.

| the creator. NOJ tUdI ne SDOulu re-
fuse to be subject to the regulations
of society or the laws of a ust coun-
try, but that when the laws OF such a
country should become tyrannical and
oppressive then is the time to assert
that love for liberty and win Justice.
This spirit of liberty has always
characterized North Carolinians.
Though it was not a North Carolinian
who uttered those memorable words,
"Give me liberty, or give me DEATH
the love for liberty, SO inculcated in
the very being. of the people of North
Carolina, was too deep for words, but
when the time came they gave vent
to it in many brave and noble deeds.
In 1774, Martin, the British Gov
ernor Of North Carolina, was obliged
to flee to New Berne to escape the
violence of the people who were en-
ragged by the English oppression.
And, despite the British government,
at a summons from Massachusetts,
hand bills were strewn broad cast
over the State, urging the people to
send delegates to a convention to elect
delegates to the Continental Con-
gress. SO enraged were the people at
the levy of the ..tea tax that at
Edenton a party of men in broad day
light, and with no disguise whatever,
boarded ship and threw great chests
Of tea overheard. Then on account of
their rights and liberties on the part
of the English, on the Goth of May,
1873, more than 4 year before the
Philadelphia Declaration, representa-
tives met at Mecklenburg and drew
up some resolutions, declaring them
selves TO be "A free and independent
people, and of right ought to be SOW
ereign and self-sustaining association,
under control of no power other than
that Of our God and the general gov
eminent Of Congress.
Then during the Revolution North
Carolina furnished her full quota Of
soldiers to defend the cause of liberty.
And the North Carolina troops show
ed their valOr at Alamance, Moore's
Creek, Kings Mountain and Guilford
Court House.
Then early in the COS when all the
country was stirred from it's lowest
depths over the question Of slavery
and the right to secession, when
tho nation was on the verge Of the
greatest war OF modern times, the
popular sentiment of North Carolina
was opposed to secession. For re-
mem bering the hard fought battles of
the Rev olutionary War, and thinking
that she had been the first to suggest
a declaration of independence and
that it took so much and so many
lives of her men to make this Union
possible, should she now dissolve
what had cost her such a sacrifice?
Her people declared that they wished
no convention whatever to be held to
consider the propriety of secession
But when President Lincoln ordered
her to furnish troops to hel p subdue
her sister Southern States, the strong
Union feeling Immediately changed to
a liked resolve to secede from the
Union and to cast in her lot with the
confederacy.
Commissioners were sent to the
Confederate Congress, and were in
Vited, by select committee, to seats
On the floor of Congress in open ses-
sion, and that the Confederate Con-
5ress induce the State of North Caro-
ina to cooperate with the Confed-
'racy in waging this great war. Also |
he Legislature sent commissioners |
20 peace conference in Washington,
out all efforts failed to effect a lasting
peace between the Northern and |
southern parts of the country, so that |
North Carolina was determined to |
cast in her lot for veal or woe with |
he Confederacv.
She. accordingly, called conven-
ion to meet at Raleigh to sign the
ordinance of Secession. Capt. Hamil-
on Z. Graham says that 1.-The moment
he last signature was fixed to that
important document, the artillery
numbered forth, every bell in the CITY
ang peal, the military band rem
lered a patriotic air, and with one
mighty shout from her patriotic citi-
ems, North Carolina proclaimed to
he world that she had resumed her
overeignty." The Rev. W. S. Petit
rev, SO loved and revered by the
eoPie OF Henderson, was member
I the convention that adopted the
ordinance of Secession.
When Governor Ellis called for
olunteers, the young men responded
ooly TO the cause. for out of the
'hlte population of the State she was
ssessed 41,715 men, but so earnest
as she in the cause of liberty for the
that she exceeded her
uota to 90, 5S1 men, about one-tifth
her white population. And toward
lie close OF the great devastating war
sny an aged parent did as Thomas
ariton, of Burke county. who, hav.
e gwen his five sons to his coun-
Us cause, when the news came that
his sons lay dead on the battle
'ld' even his youngest, bright
boy, was also killed, he
LIED to him his son-in-law. deli
tie man who had been discharged by
e surgeons, and said while his
ed body trembled with emotion
"a the great tears rolled down his
eek, Get your knapsack, William,
e ranks must be filled" True tn
I character, North Carolina troops
snt farthest up the slopes of Gettys-
re and made the last charge at
,pomattoN.
W hat Judge Roulhac, of the Forty
nth Regiment, says of his comrades
Plies to all the youth who in 1861
lrched TO obev the call of the State
low splendid and great they were
their modest, patient. earnest love
country. How strong they were in
elr young manhood, and pure thew
re IN their faith, and constant they
re in their principles, How they
re suffering and hardship, and how
slr lives were ready at the call of
ty. What magnificent courage
at unsullied patriotism. Suffering
y bore, duty they performed, and
nth they faced and met. all for the
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