Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-05-22
HEMPHlLl IN CHARLOTTE.
Brilliant South Carolina Editor Has
Fun With the MeckIenburgers.

Fun With the MeckIenburgers.
There are very few newspaper read
ers in this state, who are not cognir
zant of the long continued quarrel be-
tween Editor j. c. Hemphll of the
News and Courier, and Editor j. +
Caldwell of the Charlotte Observer
over the authenticity Of the Neck
lenburg Declaration of Independence
and the birthplace of Andrew Jackson
Mr.. Hemphill ridicules the Mecklen-
burg declaration as a myth, and cites
reams Of evidence to prove that An
drew Jackson was born in Lancaster;
but Editor Caldwell knowing that he
cannot yield and remain in Charlotte
insists StubbOrnly on both PROPOSE
tiOns.
The annual meeting of the Southern
Publishers convened in Charlotte or
Tuesday. Editors Caldwell and Hem
phil are both members. Knowing
that Mr.. Hemphill would be present
Editor Caldwell industriously revived
old scores beforehand: but at the same
time generously assured Editor Hemp
hill that every precaution had been
That the Charlotte people had it in
for the sacriligious South Carolina
editor, there was no question; but as
to who has come out of the fray with
the feweSt number of scars is not a
matter of much doubt.
In their addresses of welcome to the
publishers, both Mayor Franklin OF
Charlotte, and President Preston, OF
the Greater Charlotte club took shots
at Mr.. Hemphill. Mayor Franklin re-
lated the story of the signing of the
Mecklenburg declaration, and took
care to refer to the doubts Of Mr.
Hemphill. President Preston went
further, referring to the cast iron tab
let that had been put down to com
memOrate the incident and told how
any dOubter who would stand on this
sacred spot with barred feet would re-
ceive inspiration of the truth.
Major Hemphill was called upon to
reply in behalf of the association to
the addresses of welcome. He did il
very nicely; but he did not neglect to
play for an inning on the declaration
question. Mr. President and gentle
men q refer now to the members OF
the Southern Newspaper Publishers
association)" said he. This city rwith
exceeding solemnity] has a notable
historical past. 1t was here that in
1875, on May the Goth day, that the
Declaration of Independence was sign
ed, an event which is celebrated to
this day. Many prominent men from
all sections of the United States have
come here to take part in the eXer-
ciSeS Thousands of people come here
from all sections to attend. Many
men Of ability believe in the Mecklen-
OF TnInnnn1nnRn
Roosevelt is a believer. A monument
to the signers has been erected in front
Of the county court house and there is
a good deal of the same sort in the
newspapers. And all of this is as true
as the inscription on that iron tablet
on the square" [Laughter] Then
breaking off on another tack, he said
that shortly after getting off the cars
the night before, he asked negro
hackman if the declaration of inde-
pendence had been signed here. Yes
sir; yes, sir" replied the negro, right
up there on the square" Then l asked
if it was true that Andrew Jackson
was born in this city. Yes, sir. boss;
yes, sir, his widow lives right upon
this street" [Laughterl why, de-
clared," Major Hemphill, '"they have
even got the niggers trained to lie fol-
tnenl. bul, lHe iildJoi "SHI Oii
these North Carolinians are great
people: especially those that came
from South Carolina" Charlotte, he
said, was largely a South Carolina
town, and therefore, though small, is
one Of the best towns in the world.
During the afternoon, the publishers
were taken for a car ride over the
city. and quite a number of people had
gathered on Independence square to
see what would happen to Major Hem
phil at that point. One of the Char
lotte newspaper men called Major
Hemphilrs attention to the tablet and
insisted that he take Il look at 1T. i
don't see anything but a sewer lid" de-
clared the major; but that was not
enough. The Mecklenburgers insisted
that he go stand on the tablet as sug-
geSted by President Preston. Major
Hemphill accaded to the request, eX-
Cept that he did not take off his shoes
After several moments rumination, the
crowd breathleSSly awaiting the re-
Sult the major said: It's all a d-n
liz"
During the car ride Editor Dowd of
the News was explaining how the
Southern Power company had spent
five millions developing the water pow
er around Charlotte. 1T is all devel-
oped down in South Carolina, | be-
lieve." observed Major Hemphill
Yes" retorted Mr.. Dowd. but they
have to bring it to Charlotte to sell it.
This looked like one on the major
only the surplus" he returned dryly