Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-21
As Train Bearing Presidents Car
Crosses City Limits of Char
lotte, Presidential Salute of q
Guns Was Fired.
ESCORTED BY VETERANS
TO REVIEWING STAND;
WAS NOTABLE PARADl
Participation Of Taft Marked Gull
mination of Celebration of the
Signing of Mecklenburg Dec
laration of Independence.

burst broke over the city this afternoon
and caused a panic in the dense crowd
gathered in front OF the stand from
which President Taft was reviewing the
MeckIenburg celebration parade.
No one was seriously hurt.
In the midst OF the excitement ana
the fleeing throng one OF the big indus
trial floats became entangled with a
live electric light wire. The wire sagged
almost to the heads OF the people. To
add to the turmoil and danger, there
was q loud report and a binding fash
not nifty yards from the reviewing
stand Just what caused the explosion
is not known.
CROWD SCATTERED.
The crowd scattered in all directions.
Men and women alike 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 its way through the can
vas roof OF the stand and almost direct
" over the presidents head a great
pool OF water gathered. threatening 10
break down the covering.
In the emergency. someone brought
tail step-Iadder. a man rushed up. and
cutting a hole in the canvas. let the
water down In a perfect flood This
Quick action prevented any trouble
further than the partial drenching or
the president When quiet had been re-
stored the president stood smiling while
the rain poured down
PARADE ALMOST OVER.
The parade was near its conclusion
when the cIoudburst came
The president remained until the last
bedraggled float went BY and then, en-
tering his carriage. was driven back TO
rne Selwyn hotel for change Of clothes.
President Tafrs presence In Charlotte
today lent notable interest TO the
annual celebration Of the signing
of the NIeckIenburg declaration OF
Independence. which il is claimed
was the first step toward liberty
taken by the American colonists.
me presidents participation marked the
clrlynination of q three days celebration.
The Mecklenburg declaration long has
been a subject Of stubborn controversy.
IL f. declared by its supporters TO have
ante-dated the famous declaration OF July
a IT7s. and has been denounced as a
myth The differences between the up
holders OF the Mecklenburg document and
its critics long have been considered IL
reconciIiable. IL was with great Ella
tfon. however. that the people of North
Carolina gained the acceptance OF Pres
i6ent Taft to attend the festivities of the
closing day OF the celebration of 1903
SIGNING OF DECLARATION.
II Is claimed that the Mecklenburg dec
laration was signed May %. no A body
of colonists met at Mecklenburg, near
Charlotte. and resolved themselves into
a committee of safety. and II is declared
they drew up declaration OF independ-
ence.
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 McKnitt Alexander, IN
whose keeping II was. Among Alexander
papers, however, IT Is related that a
copy OF the original. signed by him as
delegate and clerk OF the convention, was
found. II was IN ISIS that the people OF
North Carolina first formally observed
May 90 In 1880 the legislature OF the
state appointed q committee to consider
ell the evidence obtainable concerning
the affair.
ITS GENUINENEss AFFIRMED.
The committee affirmed the genuineness
OF the MeckIenburg resolutions Today
the date. May %. is emblazOned on the
great seal OF North Carolina the decla-
ration appears I'm the statute books Of
tie state and each year the anniversary
Is observed Among the residents OF
Charlotte are many descendants Of those
Who are claimed TO have framed and
signed this first declaration OF American
independence.
The president who yesterday was the
guest or Petersburg. Va. upon his ar
rival here this morning, was met at the
railway station by a committee OF citi-
Gems and was escorted to the Selwyn no
tel As the regular Southern railway
train bearing the presidents car crossed
the city limits. a presidential salute OF
q guns was fred BY the Charlotte ar
tillery Arriving at the hotel. the presi-
der. held reception for one hour Al
noon. with scores Of Union and Confed-
crate veterans for mis- escort, the presi-
-~dent. accompanied by Mrs. Stonewal
Jackson. proceeded 10 a reviewing stand
from which he Witnessed the passing "
probably the most notable parade eveE
held in this city.
GREAT THRONG PRESENT.
AIr Taft was greeted by an immense
throng which had gathered at the South
crn railway station. \ heavy rain Eel
during the morning. but ceased just be-
fore Mr.. %-tft reached the city.
II required the services Of several com
panies OF militia TO keep the cheering
crowds in check as the president alighteC
and made his way 10 a waiting carriage
Mr. Taft. accompanied by Captain Butt
his military aide. was met at North
Charlotte by a local committee. Interest in
the presidents visit conferred in the at
titude he would take toward the Neck
Ienburg declaration Of independence. the
anniversary OF the signing Of which i:
celebrated throughout the state of Nortf
Carolina the Goth OF each May.
Mr.. Taft takes the position that re.
gardieSs Of the exact language OF the dec
Iafations made in May. 1TT5. a full year
before the signing OF the Jefferson decla
ration at Philadelphia, July 1. 1T76 the
fact remains that there was a declara