The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-18

cluding the framing of bylaws and regu-
lations by which it should be governed,
as a standing committee were not COM
pleted until after midnight, showing the
great interest which every one felt and
that a solemn crisis had arrived, which
demanded firm and united action for the
common defense. Upon the return of the
committee, the chairman proceeded to
submit the resolutions of Independence to
the convention. All was silence around
tntenique ora tenebaut. The question
was then put, ,"Are you all agreed?9 The
response was one universal AYE not
one dissenting voice in that immense as
semblage. 1t was then agreed that the
proceedings should be read to the whole
multitude. Accordingly at noon, May 20.
1775. Col. Thomas Polk ascended the steps
of the old courthouse and read in clear
and distinct tones the following patriotic
resolutions constituting ''rhe Mecklenburg
Declaration of Independence
The Mecklenburg Declaration
Resolved, /. That whoever directly or
indirectly abetted or in any way, form or
maner countenanced the unchartered
and dangerous invasion of our rights. as
claimed by Great Britain, is an enemy to
this country, to America, and to the In
herent and inaienable rights Of man.
Resolved g That we. the citizens OF
MecklelSurg county, do hereby dissolve
the political bands which have connected
us to the mother country, and hereby
absove ourselves from all allegiance to
. the British crown. and abjure all polit-
ical connection, contract or association
with that nation who has wantonly tram
pied on our rights and liberties, and in
humanity shed the blood of American
patriots at Lexington.
Resolved g. That we do hereby declare
ourselves a free ana independent people:
are. and OF right ought to he SOW
ereign and self-governing association, un-
der the contract of no power, other than
that of God and the general government
of the Congress, to the maintenance of
which independence we solmnly pledge to
each other our mutual corporation, our
lives, our fortunes and our most sacred
honor.
Resolved 4. That as we acknowledge
the existence and control of no law or
legal officer civil or military. within
this county, We do hereby ordain and
adopt as a rule of life, all, each and
every one of cur former laws, wherein
nevertheless the crown of'Great Britain
rever can be considered as holding rights,
privileges. immunities or authority
therein
Resolved S. That as 1t also further de-
creed that ALL each and every military
officer in this county is hereby retained
in his former command and authority
lie acting conformably to these regula-
tchs. and that every member present
o. this delegation shall hencefort4l be a
civil officer, viz. justice Of the peace,
in the character of committeeman to
issue process. hear and determine all
matters of controversy according to said
adopted laws; and to preserve peace.
union and nornany in said county, and
to use every eyertion to spread the love
of country and the fire of freedom
throughout America until more general
and organized government be established
OF this province.
The signers of the above resolution
were Col Thomas Polk, Dr. Ephraim
Preyard, Abraham Alexander Adam
Alexander, Ijezekiah Alexander. John
Mc1<nltt Alexander, Rev. Hezekiah j.
Balch, Richard Berry. John Davidson,
Robert Erwin. William Kennon. Benja-
min Patton, John Phifer. Jacchens VIII
son. Ezra Alexander, Charles Alexander,
John Ford. David Ruce. Richards Harris.
Matthew Mcclure and William Graham.
After the reading Of these resolutions
a voice from the crowd called out for
three cheers" and soon the welkin