Evening star., 1909-05-20
back. Many were accompanied by their
wives ard children and appeared In
colonial costume.

back. Many were accompanied by their
wives ard children and appeared In
colonial costume.
Two Extemporaneous Speeches.
The President makes two speeches
during his stay in the city. He speaks
extemporaneously on both occasions.
Following luncheon. at 2 o'clock. he will
address the people at 4 o'clock. Gov.
Kitchen will introduce the President on
both occasions.
At $50 Mr.. Taft will deliver an ad-
dress especially to the colored people
and to the students Of Biddle University.
At $40 the President will dine, and
from to $50 will hold second pub
lie reception.
The President will leave at 1880
o'clock tonight for Washington. reach
ing here about noon tomorrow.
1t is a matter OF keen regret to the
Ing to illness. was unable to accom-
pany the President.
The President came all the way from
Petersburg by special train. although It
vate car. the Olympia, should be switch
ed to the regular train at Burkeville
las night. 1t was decided at the last
moment by the railroad of1cials to run
Of the regular fast train to the south.
Charlotte is thronged with visitors
from all parts of North Carolina and
several neighboring states.
Controversy Over Declaration.
''Taft's presence in Charlotte today
lends notable interest to the annual cele-
bration of the signing OF the Mecklen-
burg declaration Of independence. which.
It is claimed, was the first step toward
liberty taken by the American colonists.
The Presidents participation marks the
elimination of a three-day celebration
The sharp controversy which was waged
about the Mecklenburg declaration has
had to do largely with the language of
the document signed either May 20 or
May 81, ITS. 1t has been charged that
the language Of the declaration as accept
cd here in North Carolina was too much
like that employed by Jefferson to have
been original.
The President, in his speech late this
afternoon, does not undertake to reconcile
the long-existing differences. The inn
portant thing, after all, he points out, Is
the impressive way they always have
gone about the setting up of simple and
Just forms Of government and the means
of maintaining civil liberty.
The Mecklenburg declaration has long
been a subject Of stubborn controversy.
1t Is declared by its supporters to have
antedated the famous Declaration OF July
=, 17!6. and has been denounced as
myth
The differences between the upholders
of the Mecklenburg document and its
critics long have been considered irrecon-
cilable. 1t was with great elation. how
ever. that the people Of North Carolina
secured the acceptance of President Taft
to attend the festivities of the closing day
OF the celebration of 1909.
Dispute Over Authenticity.
1t is claimed that the Mecklenburg dec
laration was signed May 20. ITS. A body
OF colonists met at Mecklenburg. near
Charlotte, and resolving themselves into a
committee OF safety. 1t is declared they
drew up declaration Of independence
Unfortunately for the discussion which
has followed the original copy Of the
Mecklenburg declaration was said to have
been lost in a fire which destroyed the
home Of John McKnitt Alexander, in
whose keeping 1t was.
Among Alexander's papers, however, II
IS related that copy OF the original,
signed by him as a delegate and clerk OF
the convention. was found.
1t was in 1925 that the people Of North
Carolina first formally observed May 90
In 1880 the legislature of that state ap-
pointed committee to consider all the
evidence obtainable concerning the affair
The committee affirmed the genuineness
OF the Mecklenburg resolutions
Today the date. May 20. is emblazoned
on the great seal Of North Carolina; the
OF the state, and each year the anni-
versary is observed. Among the residents
OF Charlotte are many descendants of
those who are claimed to have framed
and signed this first declaration Of Amer
lean independence.