Devotion to principle, self-reliance
and an inflexible adherance to resolu
tion when adopted, accompanied by
conservative caution, were the charac
teristics diplayed by North Carolina
in both her colonial and her State his
tory. All these qualities were exem
plified in her action on the day of the
anniversary of which you commemor
ate. If there be any, not likely to be
found with you, but possibly elsewhere,
who shall ask "how then should North
Carolina consistently enact her ordi
nance of secession in 186 1 ?" he is re
ferred to the Declaration of. Indepen
dence of 1776 ; to the articles of Con
federation of 1777, for a perpetual
union of the States, and the secession
of States from the union so established;
to the treaty of 1783, recognizing the
independence of the States severally
and distinctively ; to the Constitution
of the United States, with its first ten
amendments ; to the time honored
resolutions of 179S-1799; that from
these one and all he may learn that
the State having won her independence
by heavy sacrifices, had never surren
dered it nor had ever attempted to
delegate the unalienable rights of the
people. How valiantly her sons bore
themselves in the war between the
States, the lists of the wounded and
killed will testify. She gave them a
sacrificial offering on the altar of the
liberties their fathers had won and
kept as an inheritance to their posteri
ty. Many sleep far from the land of
their nativity. Peace to their ashes.
Honor to their memory and the moth
er who bore them. Faithfully,
Jefferson Davis.
Why We Celebrate.
News and Observer.
