The new era., 1909-06-10

OF thaC time, Dut not venturlnR on the
deld Of independence further than to
say that these resolutions were to re-
main in force till Great Britain re-
signed its pretensions. In 1898, or
earlier, some Of the actors in the pro
ceeding endeavored to supply the rec
ord from memory, unconsciously inter
mingling some of the phraseology OF
the Declaration of July 4. which gave
the resolution the tone of pro
nounced independency. Probably
through another dimness of memory
they affixed the date of May 20, 1875
to them.
Case for MeckIenburgers.
The case for the Mecklenburgers is
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 that
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 it resulted in an investiga-
tion into the facts as to the Mecklen-
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 the
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 80. 1919.
Or. AIexander's story.
DR.. Alexander related at length how
the farmers of Mecklenburg county
in the spring of 1775 had called con-
vention to be composed of two dele
gates from each settlement in the
county to meet May 10 to devise
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 DR.. 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 inde-
pendence.
The declaration, as written by DR..
Brevard, and approved by the conven-
ton on May 20, 1775, reads:
Il. Resolved, That whosoever 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- to the inner.
ent and inalienable rights OF man.
80. 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 a free and independ-
ent people, are, and of right ought to
be, a sovereign and self-governing as
sociation under the control of no
power other than that of our God
and the general government Of the
congress to the maintenance of which
independence we solemnly pledge to
each other our mutual cooperation,
our lives, our fortunes and our most
sacred honor.
a. Resolved, That as we now ac-
knowledge the existence and control
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, immunities
or authority therein.
IS. Resolved, That 1t Is also further
decreed that all. each and every mill
tary officer in this county is hereby
reinstated in 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 charac-
ter of a committeeman to issue proc
ess, hear and determine all matters Of
controversy, according to said adopt
ed 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