The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1909-05-22

| quite dDTedbI VI -tue puUhC pSutiAhchs
of that time, but not venturing on the
deld OF independence further than to
say that these resolutions were to re-
main in force till Great Britain re-
signed It's pretensions. In 1898. OF
earlier, some Of the actors in the pro
eeeding endeavored to supply the rec.
ord from memory, unconsciously inter
mingling some of the phraseology OF
the Declaration Of July 1, which gave
the resolution the tone OF pro.
nounced independency. Probably
through another dimness of memory,
they affixed the date Of May 20. ITS.
to them.
Case for Mecklenburgers.
The case for the Mecklenburgers IL
set forth as follows: In 1918 there
arose 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. a representative in con-
gress from North Carolina, announced
that Mecklenburg county had declared
her independence Is months before
the PRONUNCIATION of the document In
Philadelphia.
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 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, q 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
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" &C
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 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-a to the inner.
ent and inalienable rights of man.
20. 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
emit people, are, and Of right ought to
be, a 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 to
each other our mutual cooperation
our lives, our fortunes and our most
sacred honor.
-. Resolved, That as we now &C
knowledge the existence and control
of no law or legal oficer, 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, immunitief
or authority therein.
20. 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 ant
authority. he acting conformably tc
these regulations. And that every
member present Of this delegation
shall henceforth be civil officer, viz.
justice Of the peace, in the charac
ter of committeeman to issue proc
ess, hear and determine all matters o.
controversy. according to said adopt
ed laws. and to preserve peace ant
union and harmony in said county
and to use every exertion to spread
the love Of the country and fire Of
freedom throughout America, until
more general aud organized govern
ment be established In this province
Blessings Of pIst.
Nowadays It's godsend for . mar
to get rheumatism. Instead OF fllins