The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-09-09
IN 1863 AND now IN 1913.

There have been disastrous storms in North Carolina
but there is none known of which in the magnitude OF
destruction Of property equalled that OF last tuesday nlsh'
and Wednesday. Eastern North Carolina, increasing IN
POPULATION, in buildings. IN railroads, was at the mercy y
the wind and the waves in the fury Of the flashing OF the
storm. and the figures OF the total loss will reach INTO
many millions.
What the damage will amount to on the farms IS a
matter which can only be comiectured, for there are but
few reports available yet from places away from the rall
roads. Prom many of these reports are only being re-
ce1ved by delayed mail, for the telegraph and the tele
phone failed in the storm which wrecked the wires. News
OF the great disaster was a day late when 1T was hnauy
known that there had been immense loss, and it was not
until Friday night that it was found that Ocracoke Island,
concerning which it was feared the entire population had
been swept into the waters, had escaped tins wholesale
destruction, though it was affected by the storm. The
entire State feels a relief that this catastrophe did not put
North Carolina into the deepest mourning.
In view Of this great storm SO early IN September 1t IS
recalled that there was a similar storm which devastated
eastern North Carolina in 1863, beginning on the seventh
day Of September. An account of this is to be found in
Ashes History of North Carolina, which on page $50 has
the following:
,"On September eth a great disaster befe1 the eastern
part Of the Province. The severest storm ever known
devastated that section. The tide rose IN a few hours at
New Bern twelve feet higher than ever before, and the
wind blew 50 violently that nothing could stand before it.
Every vessel and boat was driven up INTO the woods. One
entire street, with its houses, storehouses and wharves, was
swept away, and several OF the inhabitants were carried
off in the food. Bridges and ierryboats were destroyed,
and the roads were impossible for weeks because of the
fallen trees. For the most part the crops were lost, and
there was great suffering in that region"
There are condolences IN the lives Of individuals and
States and Nations which attract attention, and there is
one in connection with the great storms Of 1869 and 1913.
It is that in the midst Of this wreckage that the Assembly
Of the province Of North Carolina met in October at New
Bern, and the important matter before it was to take steps
to end the unjust imposition of taxes in North Carolina.
This year, while eastern North Carolina is still in the
debris OF the wreckage the Assembly Of the State Of North
Carolina is to meet in Raleigh to take action against the
imposition of unjust taxes bv the railroads by meansxof
exorbitant freight rates, discriminatory against North
Carolina.
At the session in October, 1863, the Assembly adopted
resolutions IN defiance of the Royal Governor; resolving
that the sole right OF imposing taxes in North Carolina
was consttutionally vested in the House Of Assembly.
That was the first resolution Of that kind adopted bv auv
Assembly, in regular session, in any Colony, but the mem
\ bers Of the Virginia Assembly, not in regular session, had
earlier adopted similar resolves.
On the twentyfourth of September this year the Gen
eral Assembly of North Carolina is to meet in extra SEES
son following another great storm. The people are aroused
and that Assembly is called upon to take such actions con-
corning the Royal Railroads as will end their unjust
freight rate taxes placed upon the people and the business
interests OF North Carolina. In 1869 there began a long
night to secure justice, but the people won. In 1913 there
comes another fight for ,ustice, to end unjust and unfair
railroad freight rate discrimination against North Caro-
lima, and d there is displayeds%he spirit of the Fathers 81
this great State, the people will again win.