Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-05-21
PRESIDENT STIRS
PATRIOT SPIRIT
OF CAROLlNIANS
NATIONS EXECUTIVE WARMLY
RECEIVED IN SOUTH
CHARLOTTE MILITIA CHECKS EX-
UBERANT MULTITUDE
Visit Marks elimination of Three
Days Observance of the Sign
ing of the MeckIenburg
Declaration
[By Associated Press.l

CHARLOTTE, N. c., May 20.-Presi-
dent Taft and party arrived here
~ at 10:15 a. m. from Petersburg,
Va. Mr.. Taft was greeted by an i'm
mense 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
companies of militia 70 keep the cheer
ing crowds at the depot in check as
the president alighted and made his
way to a waiting carriage.
Mr.. Taft, accompanied by Captain
Archibald Butt, his military aide, was
met at North Charlotte by a local
committee. Interest In the presidents s
visit to Charlotte at this time CEN
tered in the attitude he would take
toward the Mecklenburg Declaration Of
Independence.
Mr.. Taft takes the position that re-
gardless of the exact language of the
declarations made in May, 1II5, 1ult
year before the signing of the Jeffer-
son declaration at Philadelphia, July
4, 1776, the fact remains that there was
a declaration of independence on the
part of the citizens of North Carolina.
TT is not so material as to the exact
language used" said the president to-
day. 1.-THE measure of declaration
for the principles of civil liberty and
self government lis not so much the
abuse of the denunciation of the for
Iner controlling power as the provision
made for the future form of govern
ment.
"The impressive thing was that the
North Carolina proposition is the SEN
sible way the people of the state, after
deciding to sever relations with Great
Britain, went about the matter of set
ting I'D a government of their own.
They appointed selectmen, provided for
their military officers, their courts and
forms of legal procedure. 1t showed
not alone a desire for liberty, but the
ability to govern and thorough
knowledge of the subject"
The MeckIenburg Declaration
The presidents participation marked
the elimination of three days cele-
bration of the Mecklenburg declara-
tion. The declaration long has been
the subject of stubborn controversy. 1t
is declared by it's supporters to have
ante-dated the famous declaration of
July 4, 1776, and has been denounced
as a myth. 1t is claimed the Neck
lenburg declaration was signed May
u. -
Mecklenburg, near Charlotte, and re-
solving themselves into a committee
of safety. it is declared they drew up
a declaration of independence.
Unfortunately for the discussion
which has followed the original copy
of the Mecklenburg declaration was
said to have been lost in fire which
destroyed the home of John McKnltt
Alexander, in whose keeping it was.
Among Alexander's papers, however,
1t is related that a 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
Nav 20. In 1880 the legislature ap-
pointed a committee to consider all the
evidence obtainable concerning the af-
fair. The committee affirmed the gem
uineness of the Mecklenburg resolu-
tions. Today the date, May 20, is en-
blazoned on the great seal OF Nortn
Carolina the declaration appears III
the statute books of the state and
each year the anniversary is observed.
Crowds Greet President
The president, who yesterday was
the guest of Petersburg, Va, was met
at the railway station upon his arri-
val here by an imposing committee of
citizens and escorted to the Selwyn
hotel. Arriving at the hotel he was
rendered a reception. Then with scores
of Union and Confederate veterans for
his escort, the president, accompanied
by Mrs. "Stonewall' Jackson, pro
ceeded to reviewing stand, from
which he witnessed the passing of
probably the most notable parade ever
held in this city. Large detachments
of the National guard of both North
and South Carolina were in the line.
The Industrial, colonial and floral di-
visions were made up of handsomely
decorated floats. More than 200 farm
ers were in line on horseback. Many
accompanied by their wives and chill
dren appeared in colonial costume.
The president made two speeches
during his stay in the city. Following
luncheon at 2 p. m, he addressed the
people at o'clock. Governor Kitchin
introduced him on both occasions. AT
$50 he delivered an address especially
to the colored people and to the stu
dents of Biddle university. From to
9:3O this evening he held second pub
lie reception. The president left at
1880 tonight for Washington.