The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-05-19

ceedings endeavored to supply the rec
ord from memory, unconsciously in
termingling some of the phraseology
of the Declaration of July I, which
gave the resolutions the tone of q
pronounced independently. Probably
through another dimness of memory.
they afixed the date of May 20, IT'S,
to them.
Case for Mecklenbur0ers.
The case for the Aecklenburgers 10
set forth as followB: In 1918 there
arose a great rivalry between Massa-
chusetts and Virginia as to which COM
mOnwealth should receive credit for
the Philadelphia document, and the
controversy was brought up in con-
gress. 1t was at this time that David
son. q representative in congress from
North Carolina. announced that Neck
lenburg county had declared her in
dependence - months before the pro-
mitigation OF the document in Phila-
delphia.
While the statement created some
surprise It resulted in an investiga-
ton into the facts as to the Mecklen-
burg declaration. This inquiry was
made by Nathaniel Macon. who repre-
scented North Carolina In the senate.
and through Gen. Joseph Graham
and Representative Davidson Senator
Macon received from Dr. Joseph Nc
Knit Alexander a full account Of the
event." which Dr. Alexander said he
had copied from papers left by his
father" This statement, which in
cluded the May 26th declaration.
Senator Macon sent to Raleigh, n. c.,
and it was published in the Register
on Friday, April 30. 1919.
Or. AIexander's Story.
Dr. Alexander related at length how
the farmers of Mecklenburg county in
the spring of 1875 had called a con-
vention to be composed of two dele
gates from each settlement in the
county to meet May 10 to devise
means for the assistance of the "suf-
fering people of Boston and to extri-
cate themselves from the impending
storm" Official news, by express ar
rived of the battle of Lexington" ac
cording to DIR. Alexander's report to
Senator Macon. and the influence of
the news from Lexington. he added.
resulted in the unanimous adoption of
the Mecklenburg declaration of indie
pendence
The declaration as written by DR..
Brevard. and approved by the cOnven-
ton on May 20. 1775, reads:
Il. Resolved. That whatsoever d.
rectly or Indirectly abetted or in any
way, form or manner cOuntenanced
the unchartered and dangerous inva-
sion of our rights, as claimed by Great
Britain. is an enemy to this country
-America-and to the inherent and
inalienable rights of man.
-. Resolved. That We, the citizens
of Mecklenburg county, do hereby dis
solve the political bands which have
connected us to the mother cOun-
try, and hereby absolve ourselves from
all allegiance to the British crown and
abjure all political connection, con-
tract or association with that nation.
who have wantonly trampled on our
rights and liberties and inhumanly
shed the innocent blood of American
patriots at Lexington.
Declared Themselves Free.
IS. Resolved. That We do hereby de-
clare ourselves a free and Independent
people. are. and of right ought to be.
a sovereign and Self-gOverning asso-
citation under the control of no pow
er other than that of our God and the
general government of the congress.
to the maintenance of which indie
pendence we so.cmnly pledge to each
other our mutual cooperation, our
lives. our fortunes and our most
sacred honor.
Il. Resolved. That as we now &C
the existence and control
Of no law or legal officer. civil or mil
itary, within this country, we do here
by Ordain and adopt. as rule of life.
each and every one of our former
laws, wherein, nevertheless. the crown
of Great Britain never can be consid-
cred as holding privileges. immunities
or authority therein.
IS. Resolved, That it is also further
decreed that all. each and every mill
tary officer in this county is hereby
reinstated to his former command and
authority. he acting conformably to
these regulations. And that every
member present of this delegation
shall henceforth be a civil officer, viz,
a Justice of the peace, in the character |
of committeeman to issue process |
hear and determine all matters of con-
trOversy, according to said adopted |
laws. and to preserve peace and union |
and harmony in said county, and to |
use every exertion to spread the love |
of the country and fire of freedom |
America, until a more gen.
eral and organized government be es- |
tablished in this province"
Tulips in the cornfieId.