Seward daily gateway., 1925-05-27
CHARLOTTE PUTS ON HISTORICAL PAGEANT
 OF COLONIAL PERIOR


 "A pageant of gigantic proportions, portraying many historic events of the Colonial period in North Caroli- na, will feature the sesqui-centennial of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which began today, the anniversary date, to continue during the week.
 The famous Mecklenburg Declara- tion, referred to by some as the "Mecklenburg Resolutions" was sign ed on May 20, TITS, upon receipt in Charlotte of the news of the battles of Concord and Lexington. Although | there has been some controversy as to the date the document was sign 1 ed, May 20 has been officially rec ognized and made a legal holiday by the General Assembly of North Car olina.
 Celebrations have marked the re- currence of May 20 for many years in Charlotte. Ten years ago the prin- cipal speaker was President Wilson Tn view of the fact that May 20, 1925 is the sesqui-centennial, 1t was determined to stage a celebration of pretentious proportions. For many months committees have been busily engaged arranging the details. A stadium that will seat thousands of | people has been erected at Indepen- dence Park, and it is on this spot that the principal outdoor events will be seen. Experts in pageantry from many other sections of the country were engaged to plan and execute the 1925 celebration. The Mecklenburg Declaration of In dependence was signed by colonists who were dissatisfied with British rule. Most of them were Scotchmen and Scotch-Irsh, who had come to America in large numbers, and the descendants of these liberty-seeking people.
 Charlotte, now a city of more than l 50,000 inhabitants, was village Of l 80 lots when the Mecklenburg Dec laration of Independence was signed
 Here comes the story of why our Queen City was named Charlotte y said Dr. Alexander Graham, of this city. Someone suggested that it would be a good policy to name the city in honor of the kings wife. This, king and queen Another shrewdly suggested that they would name the county Mecklenburg, after the dis trict where Charlotte, the queen, was born. This suggestion we know was adopted.
 Now the cunning ScotchIrish got ready to send over their petition, for a charter for Queens museum; second, for the right or permission for their ministers to marry their daughters. Both of these were promptly rejected by the king
 This incident, said pr. Graham, added to the reasons for popular dis satisfaction in this section. "The war of the regulators also occurred in 1771," he said, "and the battle of Alamance was fought. Quite num- Der of our people were hanged and whole companies made to wear ale glance England
 "The Revolutionary War commenc- ed and continued in 1775.
 "The Boston port bill was passed and Boston harbor blockaded. The sympathies of the colonists were all aroused in favor of Boston.
 "The country of Mecklenburg on the 18th day of May assembled at Charlotte to raise money for Bos- ton and while they were engaged ln this patriotic duty, half the county being in the village, the express from Massachusetts rode into their midst and told of the battles and murder of innocent citizens at Concord and Lexington The effect was electrl cal" The declaration was signed the following day.
 The flag of North Carolina bears the inscription, May 20, 1775." This is in cnmmamnratinn of the Meek