Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-21
Loud Report and Binding Flash
Almost Causes Panic.
CROWD GREETs THE PRESIDENT
Several Companies of Militia Keep
Throng in Check.
IS CALLED MYTH
Original DU'ument L. Lost, hut the
President Takes the Positton
that Exact Language is
Not Material.

CHARLOTTE, N. c., May @,-A cloud
burst broke over the city this Afternoon
and caused a panic in the dense crowd
gathered in front Of the stand on which
President Taft was reviewing the Mecklen-
burg celebration parade. No one was Sc
riously hurt.
In the midst of the excitement and the
fleeing throng one of the big industrial
floats became entangled with live cleo
trio light wire. The wire sagged almost
to the heads of the people beneath, To
add to the turmoil and danger there was
a loud report and a binding flash not fifty
yards from the reviewing stand. The cause
OF the explosion is not known.
The crowd scattered In all directions.
Men and women alike rushed for the
shelter OF the presidents stand and the
president stepped aside to give as much
room as possible. The tremendous down.
pour of rain was soon beating it's way
through the canvas roof on the stand and
almost directly over the presidents head
great pool of water gathered, threaten
ing to break down the covering. In the
emergency some one brought tall step
ladder, man rushed up and cutting
hole In the canvas let the water down In
a perfect flood. This quick action pre-
vented any further trouble other than the
partial drenching of the president When
quiet had been restored the president did
not seem to mind the experience in the
least. He stood smiling while the rain
poured down. Thousands of men and
women were drenched and many pretty
costumes ruined utterly. The president
remained until the last bedraggled float
went by and then was driven back TO his
hotel
Crowd Greets President.
President Taft and party arrived here at
1915 a. m from Petersburg. Va.
MIR. Taft was greeted by an immense
throng which had gathered at the Southern
railway station. A heavy rain fell during
the morning, but ceased just before Mr.
Taft reached the city.
1t required the services of several COM
panes of militia to keep the cheering
crowds at the depot in check as the presi-
dent alighted and made his way to a walt
ing carriage. Mr. Taft. accompanied by
Captain Archibald Butt. his military aide
was met at North Charlotte by local COM
mittee. Despite the cessation OF rain as
the president arrived, the weather contin-
ued threatening but in nowise interfered
with the carrying out of the days program
Interest in the presidents visit to Charlotte
at this time centered in the attitude he
would take toward the Mecklenburg dec
laration OF independence.
Declaration Called n Myth.
The Mecklenburg declaration long has
been subject of stubborn controversy 1t
is declared by It's supporters to have ante
dated the famous declaration of July L.
l776 and has been denounced as myth
The differences between the upholders OF
the Mecklenburg document and Its critics
long have been considered lrreconciiable.
1t was with great elation however. THAI
the people of North Carolina obtained the
acceptance of President Taft to attend the
festivities of the closing day Of the cele-
bration OF 1903.
1t is claimed the Meekenburg declaration
was signed May 20, lT5. body OF col
onists met at Mecklenburg, near Char
lotte and resolving themselves into com
mittee of safety, 1t is declared they drew
up a declaration of independence. I'm
fortunately for the discussion which has
| followed, the original copy Of the Meek
lenburg declaration was said to have been
lost in a fire which destroyed the home
of John McKnitt Alexander. IN whose keep
ing IL was. AIlOHB <AlSAddluol phpOibG
| however, it is related that a copy of the
original, signed by him a delegate and
clerk of the convention was found. II was
! in 1925 that the people Of North Carolina
first formally observed May 90 In 1850 the
| legislature of the state appointed COM
mittee 10 consider all the evidence OBJ
tainable concerning the affairs. The 0om-
mittee affirmed the genuineness OF the
Meckenburg resolutions. Today the date
May 20. is emblazoned on the great seal
of North Carolina, the declaration appears
| IN the statute books of the state and each
year the anniversary is observed. Among
the residents of Charlotte are many de-
scendants OF those who are claimed to
have framed and signed this first declara-
tion OF American independence.
Exact Language Immaterial.
Mr.. Taft takes the position that regard
less Of the exact language Of the decara-
! tions made in May, 1d6, full year before
| the signing of the jefferson declaration at
Philadelphia, July T. 177s, the fact remains
| that there was a declaration of independ-
ence on the part of the citizens OF North
Carolina.
1T is not so material as to the exact
| language used" said the president today
THE measure of declaration for the
| principles OF civil liberty and self govern
ment is not much the abuse or the
! denunciation Of the former controlling
power the provisions made for the
future form of government. The impress
sive tning about the North Carolina propo-
sitlon is the sensible way the people of
the state. after deciding 10 sever relations
with Great Britain went about the matter
! of setting up a government OF their own.
They appointed seleetmen provided for
their military officers, their courts and
forms OF legal procedure. It showed not
alone a desire for liberty but the ability
10 govern and thorough knowledge OF the
| subject"
The sharp controversy whichs was wAEed
about the Mecklenburg declaration has had
10 do largely with the language OF the