The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-21
A CAPITAL PAPER ON A FACT IN
NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY.

We publish today a brief but excel
lent communication from our friend.
Benjamin F. Grady. of Clinton.
Its defect is il is TOO short. II has
genuine historic value. and is a capital
defense of North Carolina against the
ignorance. the jealousy and the unfair
ness of men. We have known for quite
a quarter of a century that historians
nave greatly neglected n some even
DETAINED North Carolina. The writer's
and speakers of other states appear to
have never so much as heard of North
Carolina in the first war of independ-
ence. But in that war as in the second
war of independence this state did its
duty fully, %grandly, most patrlotIcally.
1t is astonishing how lies originate and
how swift they run when once started.
The article by Mr.. Grady IS complete
so far as it goes. and shows the mis-
takes of the Information OF Senator
Hoar. Twice in the senate within a
few days has North Carolina suffered
from the contempt of siience or the i'm
periousness Of ignorance on the part
of two senator's. one northern. ana one
southern, and not a word was said in
behalf of the noble old mother. Alas.
suppose that had occurred when the
two distinguished senator's. lance and
Ransom. held their seats. The hall
would have rung With protestations
and replications. Ignorance would not
have sat enthroned but would have
been quickly ~discrowlied and disgraced.
Senator Hoar. scholarly and eloquent.
could indulge in meilifluous praise of
Virginia and South Carolina but not a
word in reply was heard from either
senator from North Carolina or from
any friend present of this state if sue
were present. Pritcnald is of Tennes-
see and probably knows nothing of
North Carolina history. Mr.. Simmons
was mute, if informed. North Caro-
lima was just as SYMPATHETIC, enc
olent and prompt in trying to aid Bos-
ton as was either of .le states named
by Hoar. 1t did not falter or delay.
Mr.. Grady in a private letter says.
Il am not willing the matter shall
stand as it is. l send the paper to you,
knowing. as 1 do. that no man in North
Carolina is better equipped or more
ready to resent any injustice to North
Carolina. 1 think you will find in
Wheeler-I have no copv at hand-that
Parker Ounce carried a vessel load OF
provisions from Wilmington to Boston.
This whole subject, as you know. is
touched on in my South Against the
North.'-26 and 81"
Massachusetts sent agents into the
south before h hclo was offered.
Josiah Quincy, Jr.. was in North Caro-
lima as early as March. IT'S. dined in
Wilmington n spent a night with
Cornelius Harnett at Hilton near this
town. He calls Harnett in his
Memoirs" the Samuel Adams of
North Carolina" referring to his zeal
and advanced views as to resistance.
Robert Howe visited New Bern. Eden
ton. etc. The Colonial Records should
be consulted at vol. TX pp 610-611.
North Carolina he;pei early as Mr.
Grady shows. The Colonial Records
tell much, vol. II, PIP. 10. II, Is. 80. 81.
1.116, etc. Mr.. Grady IN his private note
gives some interesting Information
worth copying. He gets it from Co.
lonial Records TX. LIZA page He states
that the Wilmington district commit
tee which had been appointed to re-
ceive donations for the Bostonians. en-
ployed a man named Dickson to carry
expresses to the northern counties"
which Dickson was no doubt a Duplin
man (perhaps the author of Mr.. J.. o.
Cars Dickson Letters') since money
due him for his services was paid to
Owen keenan,"
Thanks to Mr.. Grady. With his
"Argus"eye forever looking at the his
toric points and Upon the assailants oe
slighters of North Carolina-eyes that
an eternal vigil keep" the dear old
state will find a ready Inc most eff
f1cient defender. The Messenger win
help him. 1t does not allow reproaches
and ISLANDERS and misstatements to go
uncorrected n unnotlced If they come
under its own vision.
The same mail that brought us Mr..
Grady's communication brought also q
note from an a~ppreciative friend living