The New York Herald Newspaper, May 20, 1875, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, MAY 20, 1875—QUADRUPLE SHEET, “THE MECKLENBERG CELEBRATION. POEM. THE CENTENNIAL ‘The following poem, written for the ‘‘Centenniay Apntversary of the Mecklenourg Declaration of Independence,” will be read oy tts suthor, the Bev. J. H. Martin, of Georgia :— A Dundred years have passed awiy Bince im tne lovely month of May, Upon pot where now we stand, There pola, devoted band Df patriots, moved with high resolve [he galling union to dissolve fat bound them drst to Engiand’s mignt And cursed the land with withering Diight fm common with their oreturen, they Were bowed beneath vppression’s sway, With burning love of country fred, Wen zeal for Laverty inspired, (heir [NDEPENDENCS they declared, And with heroic courage dared To brave the power, the wrath and hate Of that Imperial, lordly State. Phey Quog their banner to the Dreess, Defied the mistress of the seas, Cast off the yoke of tyranny, And in the name of liberty Prociaimed that they of right should be & Sovereign Commonwealth and free. No empty Doast was this and vain; Fhe cause of Freedom to maintain, To triomph tn the coming strife They pledged their Foxtuns, Hoxon, Lore, Great act! heroic and snpirme, Distinguished in the course of time, A noble scene, a bright event, Phat dlazed across tue Continent, And threw its radiant neams alar, Precursor of approaching war, ‘When England, roused to tre, should peur Her armies on this western shore, and sees, like liom, to devour Foes hostile to her rule and power. Already had the sword been drawn On Concora’s green and grassy lawns Already were tne verdant plains Of Lexington bedewed with stains Of crimson gore, by martyrs shed, ‘Who for the sake of freedom Died; And soon from Bunker Hill the sound Of battle should be echoed round, Amnouncing to a eazing world, ‘The die was cast, the fag unfurled ‘That should conduct to victory ‘The valiant sons of liberty, Who from the British Crown should wrest ‘This splendid empire of the west. Deep calleth unto deep, and now, From Southern lips went forth & vow, Responsive to the Northern cry, ‘To live as freemen or te die. Virginia, lofty and sedate, Her sons assembled for debave, Displayed a spirit brave and free, 4 hatred of all tyranny. Her Henry, with his tongue of fre, And words that still our souls inspire, ‘With fashing eye and towering form, as one that guides and rales tae storm, fhe native rights of man proclaimed, With burning eloquence exclaimed, ‘While listeners heard, with bated breath, “To me give liberty or deata |” ‘Tbe Carolinas were aflame, ‘With ardor to tne confiict came, And joined their sister colonies ‘In struggiing for their liberties. But none as yet had gone so tar, Although involved in open war, ‘The creat, the mighty deed to dare, And INDEPENDENCE TO DECLARE. ‘This zealous province led the way, An act we celebrate to-day. m honor of the Queen so named, And bere, in council, they proclaimed Their colony a Sovereign State, From England free and separate, By them this nobie deed was dona, They boldly cressed the Rabicoa, Rebelled against the British tarome, Set up a standard of their own, New laws and institutions made, And rulers of their choice obeyed, ‘This was the civic gum frst fred, Its sound ail patriot hearts inspired, And swiftly borpe by winds slong It moved the weak and mace them etreng. {t fell with terror on the ear Df royal placemen, far and near. They saw the dark and threatening cloud, hey beard tne distant tnunder loud, Ana, trembiing at the sound and sight, ‘They refuge sought in hasty fight The tiaings passed beyond the sea, The patriot cry of liverty Resoundea throngh the British isles, Exciting ancry frowns or smiles. Its roiling echoes died away Woere monarchs ruled with tron sway. Torongbout the Western Hemisphere Re-ecnoed what was acted here, Phe glorious news of this event Hectrified the Continent. {t reached rhe men in Congress met, Who, fired by this example set, And guided by its brilliant ight, Arose in purpose to the height Di the occasion great, sublime, Unequalied in all previous time, Bo junger bound by ‘egal band Dato tne tyrant mother jana, Bat henceforth they of rignt should be BTATES independent, sovereign, free! This was the great, the crowning fact, ‘The grand, subi'me, heroic act, ‘That broke the chains ry, Endowed enr land with liberty, And gave ante the nation birth Among the Kingdoms of the earth. Bat whtle those giaots we appiaad, Df Hancock, Adams, Witnerspooa, And ail who signed that famous scrotl And formed the bright, immortal rofl Uf pacriota, heroes, statesmen, sages, Renowed through aii toe fature ages, Let us with gratitud Thetr prototypes of earite; The small but patriotic band Who first of all throughoat the land A ‘ormai declaration framed And to therr fellow men prociatmed Their resolution to be free Whate’er the toll, the cost might t. They well (oresaw the consequesce, Toat this bold act would need defence, fbat meny years might come and go, That streums of rede! biood mignt flow, Pre England should ner grasp release And they shonid freedom win and peace, The deed was done. a plete they gave, Becoming patriots ‘rue and brave i Phat closely with hooks of steel, Come life oF aeath, come wos or weal, * fa, Ports and bards, this dee Resound in every aa Let orators the act f And ceiebra . Let nist Reiare the «tc With tongae and p fhe grand, heros ene rehearse. Let knowledge ofthis great event Go forth to every continent. Let #1048 and waves toe tidings bear, ose and verse, To every shore the news doclara, Throngnout tn t hemisphere, Publis the deed e ed bere, Let distaut times and ages trace Their rights end freedom to tuis plasm fet andere rie, 1) POT NS CBT EpROS0B 00 FO-O<: Ste > 0 ADOOe oan an wer eens See eee et Ran tng ee 8 ees ewes Rn Senn eee go 8060689800080 SeOeS#* Ot OD Cath f OCR UO OOF TTF RTE tr oe" Calorie Of {Methlenoury "County, ep Mant Cari mia] CONT SITES it anh reentiorued GMAnIUeUSLT sascavany ee coustennnced (entrcDartered an aero greaattan' of cur RIGHTS, as cleimed dy Great Britsigy sani eugene: RY, tq AMERICA and {to : fhe, Pgae me tn pasty ammvmaenaer fhe cre be ee onan by arava orci CHnatACTIOR; CONAEALDAE ASSOC TIONS with thapmation wip hard pRIGATS SLIBERTIESandinhumasly Gea the mocmmp nro of Ametican Patriots ab Lexingtont UM Rumen ‘Tae WE DO -AEREBY DECLARH INDEPENDENT Pee pepe 7 nel Eowsress; to the "0fjehich INDEPENDENCE, we SOLEMNLY ee our MUTUAL CO-OPERATION, oun “Our, FORTUNES and aur MOST SACRED HONOR, . . ABRAHAM, aLERRORE, Chairman’ Duncan Octiletres: Adam. Alexanden, ty’D HezekiahirAlexanders ‘John Flerinikens — fi John-Phifer. Jexandera” “John Fords Thomas’Polk, Charles*Alexandes, ‘William Graham, ‘Ezekiel Polk. aitstill Averys James Harris, BenjaminPatton, Ephraim Brevard> “RoberbIrwim John Queary; Hezekiah I. Balcby ‘William Kennons ‘David Reese, Richard Barry Matthew/Mc’Clure.’ Zacheus Willson, gen, Sohi Davidson; Neill’Morrisom William:Willsm, ~~ William Davidsi. Samuel Martin “Tel ie. Pat nets enna enee Sr A CURIOUS REVOLUTIONARY HANDBILL. Below is = facsimile of a handbill said to have been distributed in North Onrolins previous to the year 16C0. It is the oldest publication of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence of May 20, 1775, yet discovered in print, It bas been stated that it was issued immediately after the adjournment of the Provincial Congress; but, judging from the elaborate bordering, the style and variety of type, old printers agree that it could not have appeared until about the end of the last century. All the type used in the original form is declared to be of American origin, whereas all printing during and immediately following the Revolution was from type sent from Great Britain. Joseph Johnson, in treating of the traditions and reminiscences of the American Revolution, attaches great importance to this little handbill He maintains that it must be a reproduction of the three first resolutions in the original Declaration of Independence, and that as these three alone treated of the total separation from the mother country, it was of the first importance that they should be widely circulated and readily understood. Colonel Polk, he says, read the six resolutions from which those in the fac-simile are taken to the people of Mecklenburg from the steps of the Court House, on the morning of the 20th of May, and he, therefore, considers it impossible to doubt their genuineness and authenticity. > DOGOCOOOGOOIOOE © bok 4 ET AEDS DOD POCHIDO OOOO CO OSODOGOCTOOCOD Mop eerSrs. NeSoneo OKO gue ponceose 30805080008 SELES HOMO GO ROA my = DEPP E SESS SHDEOSOVIO ee ONLI LOL LOSS. JHOMIGIROIBIBIBoGS DEEEEESHTEEPHES OSHS 7 OL DFSSOS 2059BI80 SIF BISIAISIGOBIE S08) 8) S05 SP MOSH SACO OE And land thts action to the skies. for here, of all the spots on carta, The patriot finds the place of birth, Where Liberty her course vegan, The priceless gift of heaven to man. A bundred years have passed away, Ring out the joyous bells to- | 4nd jet them peal a merry c | In nonor of the ol um Let acciamations rend the air, | Let songs be sung by women fair; Let banners, fags and streamers gay * Their waving, floating folas display. Let bands of men with marral tread, | Descendants of the noble dead, Parade and march, encamp around, And bivouac on this hallowed ground, | Let strains of music thrill the soul, The stirring dram its echoes roll. With blast of trampet loud resound, AnG spread the fame of freedom round, With salvos of artilery Prociaim the praise of liberty, With gratefal heart and cheerfal voice Let ai! be happy and rejoice. With wild ouzza and joyful shout And giaa, triamphant lips cry ont, And raise to heaven, with one accord, A joud hosanna to tue Lord, Exuit with spirits high and free On this Centennial SONG OF MARION’S MEN. Our band ts few, but troe and tried, Our leader frank and bola: Tee British soldier trembies When Marion's name js told. Our fortress is the good greenwood, Our tent the cypress tree; We know the forest round we As seamen know the sea, We cnow its walls of thorny vines its giades of reedy grasa, Its safe and silent Ey Within the dark morass. Won to the Engitsh soidiery, That ithe dread.us near! On them sna lig t midnight A strange and sudden sear, When, waxing to their tente on fre, Tuey grasp the ir arios in vara, nt to jace us VAgain ; . | in terror deem | A mighty host benind, ! Aud bear the tramp of thousands } Open the Dollow wind. WILLIAM CULBEN BRYART. AUTOGRAPHS OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION. PEs eS ee Le Sree fig Acre Mae ol Vy he Aqua DESCRIPTION OF THE MECKLENBURG MEDAL We give on this page correct representations of } the Mecklenburg Centennial medals, which are to be distributed to-day during the celebration at Charlotte. These medais are handsome speci- | mens of art, and have been manufactured of both Giver and bronze. As will be seen by our engray- ings the Mecklenburg medals are about the size of afifty-cen: piece, and their weight 1s about the same as thatcoin. he first engraving shows the obverse or princtpak face of the medal. | Tne device is that ef the eap of liberty ‘hanging to a umb at the top of North Carolina’s famous tee, while saspended from @ neighboring twig is the néw symboite hornets’ nest, near the entrance to which hover the myt! feal number of hornets acting as sentineis to give swi'tand sudden alarm should any pro- fane band attempt to approach or touch the sa- cred embiem of our nation’s ltberty. (he Clasped hands, ased as embiems, in all ages, | @: stendsiip and fraternity, Th hands are inteswes to typify the anity of the Southern and Northeru States under one common govern- ment and fag. World that as the North and South were erty in 1775, #0 they are anived rin acommon p: sm thas bridges the aividin during w it has endured The ontire design stands out Nbas relief from the rays of the midday | sun, thas tam curing its en “alory,” comp! the progress of the nation istenee. These rays, or | } | | an bob | | tity it. | Op the reverse or oppostte side of the medal, we } @n4 the Mecklenburg date ‘20 May, 1775" enclosed | as it stands im the centre tn bold modern letter. ing, dy & paralelled circle, Outside of this rans the | Where Plenty and Freedom, “Mecklenburg | A heavy miliea | legend, also in modern character, Weciaration of Independence.” border completes the face, as it dos also the ob- verse. Below are | ee ae ‘THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS, ‘The occasion of the following composition appears §o bave been that while the English were in posses sion of Philadelphia, a scnooner, coming down the river, loaded with kegs. met with some mishap, by whicn the kegs were precipitated into the water. Floating down with the stream they were eapted early in the morning by a sentinel, who, startled at the strange appearance of this crowd of kegs, gave the alarm, thinking that the rebels were about making an attack on the city. Mr, Hopkinson, then residing at Bordentown, with ready wit im- mortalized the fright of the British in the versess— BY FRANCIS HOPEINSON, rN 1803, Tune—“Maggy Lander.” Gallants attend and hear a friend ‘Till forth barmonious ditty, Though things I'l) tel which late befell In Philadelphia city,’ *Dwas early day, as poets say, Just when the suo was rising, 4 soldier stood on @ log of woud And saw a sigct surprising. 4s in amaze ne stood to gaze, The truvh can’t be denied, sirs, He spiea a score of kegs or more Come floating down the tide, airs, Asallor too, in jerkin blue, The strange appearance viewing, First damned his eyes in great surprise, ‘Then said, “Some mischief’s brewing!” ‘These kegs now nold the rebels bold Pack’d up like pickled herring, and they’ve come down to attack the town in this new mode of ferrying. ‘The soldier few, the sauior, too, And scared almost to death, sit; Wore out their shoes to spread the news, And ran Wl) out of breata, sir, Bow up and down, throughout the town, Most frantic scenes were acted, and some ran here aud some ran there, Like men almost distracted, Gome fire cried, which some denied, But eurth nad quaked; And girls and boys, with uideous Doe Rap through the town half maked, Sir William,* he, snug as a fea, Lay all this time @ snoring, Sor dreamt of harm as he lay warm, 4t home with Mrs. L—g. Now in a fright he starts uprighs, Awaked by such a clatter, He rubs his eyes and boidiy sries, For God sake wuat’s the matter? At bis bedside he then espiea Sir Erskinet at command, str, Upon one foot he had one voow, And ’sother in his band, sir. ise! arise! Sir Erakine crea, ‘This motley crew, in vossels now, Wits Satan for tueir guide, sir, Packed up in bags or wooden kegs, Come ariving down tne tide, aur, Therefore prepare for bloody war, These kegs must all be routed, Or surely we despised shall be And British courage aoubied The royal bana now ready stand, All ranged in dread ar Witb stomachs stout to se And make a bloody day, siz. ‘The cannon roar {rom shore to snore, The small arms Maks a ratty, Since wars be; Dm sure no maa Ever saw so strange a battle. ‘The rebels’* vaies, the rebels’ ales, With rebel trees surrounded; The distant woods, the hills and docas, With rebel ecuoes soucded, ‘The fish below swam to and fro, Attacked from every quarter; Why sure, thouguc they, tue devi's to pay ‘Mongst folks above [he water. The kegs, ’tis said, though strongly made Of revel staves and hoops, sir, Could not oppose their powerful foes, The conqueriag British troops. sir. From morn tili night these men of might Dispiayea amazing courage, And when the sun was fairly down Retired to sup their porridge, A bundred mea, with each a pea, Or more upon my word, si It Is Most true Would be too few, Their valor to record, sir, Such featsas they performed that day Upon these wicked kegs. sir, ‘That years to come, If they get home, They'll make their boast and brag, sir. sir William Howe. 4Sir W. Ersnine. The British officers were ro fond of the word tnat they often appiied it most absurdly. — .THE OLD NORTH STATE. SY HON. WILLIAM GASTON, Carolina | Carolina! Heaven's bieseings attend bert While we live we wili cherish and love and defend her. Though the scorner may sneer at and witlings derame her, Our hearts swell with gladness whenever we nam Aurrah | horrad | the Old North State forever } Hurrao ! hurrah | the good Ola North Statet Though she envies not others their merited glory, Say, Whose name stands tne foremost in Liberty’ story t Though too true to herself e’er to crouch to oppression, Who can yield to just rule more loyal submission | Hurran, 4c. Over tae first hand are the figures ) “|775," and over the secona “1875,” thus declaring | ¢ twoeras being joined to- | e tne design, and greatly beav- | | Plain and artless her sons, but whose doors open faster At the Knock of the stranger or tale of disaster ? How like to the radeness of their dear native mountains, With rich ore in thelr bosoms and jifs in their fountains. Arran, &c. And her daughters, the Queen of the sembling, So graceful, so constant, yet to gentlest breath trembling; | aud true JightWood st heart, lot the match be applied them, How they kindle and flame! On, none know pat | who've tried them. | gurran, &e. Porest re. Then let all who love us love the land that we live fo— | As happy @ region as on this side of heaven— Love and Pence, smile beiore us, Raise aloud, raise together, the heart-thrilling | choras! Hurrah | harrah ! the Old Nortn State forever! | Miurran | nurran | the good Old North State! | :