The Garland globe. [volume] (Garland, Utah) 1906-191?, 1909-05-29

TO them.
Case for Meokienburpers.
The case for the Mecklenburgers IL
set forth as follows: In 1918 there
arose a great rivalry between Massa.
chusetts and Virginia as to which COM
monwealth should receive the credit
for the Philadelphia document, and
the controversy was brought up in
congress. 1t was at this time thar
Davidson, representative In con-
gress from North Carolina, announced
that Mecklenburg county had declared
her independence 13 months before
the PRONUNCIATION Of the document In
Philadelphia.
While the statement created some
surprise 1t resulted in an investiga-
ton into the facts as to the Mecklen-
burg declaration. This inquiry was
made by Nathaniel Macon, who pre-
resented North Carolina in the senate.
and through Gen. Joseph Graham and
Representative Davidson, Senator Ma
con received from DR.. Joseph McKnitt
Alexander, the son of John McKnitt
Alexander, full account OF tho
event." which DR.. Alexander said he
had copied from papers left by his
father" This statement, which in.
cluded the May goth declaration. Sena-
tor Macon sent to Raleigh. N. c., and
1t was published in the Register on
Friday. April 30. 1919.
Or. Alexander's story.
DR.. Alexander related at length how
the farmers OF Mecklenburg county
in the spring of ITS had called 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" "Oficial news, by express, ar.
rived of the battle OF Lexington" ac-
cording to DR.. Alexander's report to
Senator Macon, and the influence Of
the news from Lexington, he added,
resulted in the unanimous adoption or
the Mecklenburg declaration of indie
pendence.
The declaration, as written by DR..
Brevard, and approved by the conven-
ton en- 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-an to the inner
ent and inalienable rights of man.
"2.. Resolved, That we. the citizens
Of Mecklenburg county, do hereby dis.
solve the political bands which have
connected us to the mother country.
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.
"3. Resolved, That we do hereby de
clare ourselves free and independ
ent people, are, and of right ought to
be, sovereign and self-governing as
, ISOLATION under the control of nc
power other than that of our God
!, and the general government Of the
= congress to the maintenance of which
independence we solemnly pledge &C
/. each other our mutual cooperation
our lives, our fortunes and our most
/ sacred honor.
/ "A. Resolved, That as we now &C
= knowledge the existence and contro
+ of no law or legal officer. civil or mil
itary, within this county, 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. immunitiel
, or authority therein.
. 20. Resolved, That 1t is also furthe
: decreed that all, each and every mill
;. tary officer in this county is hereb,
reinstated in his former command an,
. authority. he acting conformably Il
these regulations. And that ever,
:, member present of this delegation
|, shall henceforth be civil officer, viz
!, a justice of the peace, In the charaC
ter of committeeman to issue proc
ess, hear and determine all matters @
!, controversy, according to said adopt
|, ed laws, and to preserve peace an
. union and harmony in said county
: and to use every exertion to sprea
:. the love of the country and fire c
y freedom throughout America, until
more general and organized govern
: ment be established in this province.
II "Bllnd Tigers" Even in China.