The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-05-20
MECkLENBURG CELEBRATION
IS INTERRUPTED BY
CLOUDBURST
Chief Executive With Thousands Of Others Drenched but
Smiles While Rain Pours Down-Speaker Comments on
Declaration Of independence Of May 20, IT'S

Charlotte, N. c.. May 2O.-A cloud
burst broke over the city this after
noon and caused a panic in the dense
crowd gathered in front OF the stand
on which President Taft was review
Ing the Mecklenburg celebration pa
rade. No one was seriously hurt.
In the midst of the excitement and
the fleeing throng, one of the big in
duStrial floats became entangled with
live electric light wire. The wire
sagged almost to the heads Of the
people beneath. To add to the turmoil
and danger there was loud report
and a binding flash not fifty yards
from the reviewing stand. Just what
caused the explosion is not known.
The crowd scattered in all direc-
tions. Men and women rushed for the
shelter Of the Presidents stand and
the President stepped to one side TO
give as much room as possible. The
tremendous downpour OF rain was soon
beating It's way through the canvas
roof of the stand and almost directly
over the Presidents head, a great
pool of water gathered, threatening to
break down the covering. A man rush
ed up. and cutting hole in the can
vas, let the water down In a perfect
flood. This prevented any further
trouble than the partial drenching OF
the President. Umbrellas were Of lit
tie avail against the torrential rain
After the first mad rush for cover, the
crowds we're soon quieted. The cleo
trio power was cut off and the excite
ment was soon over. The President
did not seem to mind the experience
In the least. He stood smiling while
the rain poured down. Thousands OF
men and women Nere drenched to the
skin and many pretty costumes were
ruined utterly.
: The parade was Dear-sts CONCLUSION
when the cloudburst came. The Pres
ident remained until the last bedrag
gled float went by. and then was drlv
ell back to his hotel for a change oi
clothing.
Charlotte, n. C, May 20.-President
Taft and party arrived here at 1O:15
a. m. from Petersburg, Va
Mr.. Taft was greeted by an I'M
mense throng which had gathered al
the Southern Railway station. A heavy
rain fell during the morning, but
ceased Just before Mr.. Taft reached
the city. II required the services oil
several companies of militia to keel
the cheering crowds at the depot IT
check as the president alighted ano
made his way to a waiting carriage
Mr. Taft. accompanied by Captain Ar
chibald Butt, his military aide. was
met at North Charlotte by loca
committee. Interest in the President
visit to Charlotte at this time center
ed in the attitude he would take to
ward the Mecklenburg declaration o.
independence.
Mr. Taft takes the position that re
cardless of the exact language OF tho
declarations made in May, IT'S. ful
wear before the signing OF the JET
fcrson declaration at Philadelphia
.July. 1776 the fact remains that there
was a declaration of independence OF
the part of the citizens Of North caro-
lima.
"It is not so material as to the ex
act language used,' said tlre President
today. THE measure of declara
ton for the principles of civil liberty
and self-governmeg is not so muci
the abuse of the denunciation oil tn'
former controlling power as the pro
visions made for the future form o
government. The impressive thint
was that the North Carolina PROPOSE
tion is the sensible way the people
of the state. after deciding to sevel
relations with Great Britain wen
about the matter OF setting up gov
ernment OF their own. They appoint
ed, select men, provided for their mill
tarv officers, their courts and forms
of legal procedure. 1t showed NO
alone a desire for liberty, but the apl,
ity to govern and thorough kho"i
edge of the subject.
The Presidents participation marx
ed the elimination of q three days
celebration of the Mecklenberg dec
laration.
The declaration long has been :
subject of stubborn controversy.
10 declared by its supporters 10 hav'
ante-dated the famous declaration o
July 4. 1776. and has been denounced
as a myth"
at is claimed the Mecl1lenburs uec
laration was signed May 20. Too =
body of colonists met at Mecklenpurt
near Charlotte. and resolving thcm
selves into a committee OF safety, j
ia declared. they drew up deciaia
tion of independence. uniortunatels
for the discussion which has FOLLOWED
the original copy Of the Mecklehpuaz as
declaration was said to have peel
lost In a fire which destroyed IN.
! home of John McNitt Alexander; u
whose keeping 1t was. Among Alex
ander's papers. however, 1T Is relateo
that a copy OF the original. signed os
him as a delegate and clork OF IN.
convention, was found. II was In lSso
that the people of North Carolina ms ms
formally observed May 20. In ls3,
tbe legislature Of the state appointed
a committee to consider the evidence
obtainable concerning the affair fnt
committee affirmed the genuineness Of
the Mecklenburg resolutions. Today
the late, May 20. Is emblazoned or
H. GREAT caaJ of North Carolina. Tho