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"We Haven't Had That Spirit Here Since 1769"

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By Andy from The Charlotte Capitalist,cross-posted by MetaBlog

Well, we really haven't had that spirit here since 1775. In the final installment of his Sparrowhawk series of novels, Ed Cline writes:

In Mecklenburg, North Carolina, the provincial congress on May 31 adopted resolves that suspended the power of all royal authority in North Carolina, and sent them to its delegates at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. The colony thus earned the distinction of being the first to declare its independence from Britain, more than a year before the United Colonies -- or, as Patrick Henry preferred to refer to them, "The United States" -- declared their independence. [Sparrowhawk Book Six: War, Cline, p.193]

Is there any remnant of that spirit here in Mecklenburg County? Or in North Carolina? The spirit which lead the independence away from Britain and towards the free United States of America. I don't see it. Instead there is a growing dependence upon government and against freedom.

Examples include:

1. A government funded arena which voters rejected 57% to 43%, but the powers that be built anyway.

2. A light rail system which few will ride, attempts to force people to live in certain areas, continues to grow beyond double its original cost, and boosted our sales tax over 8% -- all in the face of evidence which shows every light rail system in the country has failed.

3. Recent news that Charlotte is once again the most highly taxed city in North Carolina.

There are more examples -- how could I forget Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools? The point is that governnment-initiated force against individuals continues to rise in Charlotte Mecklenburg. The spirit in 1775 represented a trend in the complete opposite direction -- setting the proper role of government as the protector of individuals from those who initiate force. Government is now the criminal in Charlotte Mecklenburg.

There is some controversy about the existence of the Mecklenburg Resolves. Here is the opening as published in the Raleigh Register in 1819:

1. Resolved, That whosoever directly or indirectly abetted, or in any way, form, or manner, countenanced the unchartered and dangerous invasion of our rights, as claimed by Great Britain, is an enemy to this County, to America, and to the inherent and inalienable rights of man.

2. Resolved, That we the citizens of Mecklenburg County, do hereby dissolve the political bands which have connected us to the Mother Country, and hereby absolve ourselves from all allegiance to the British Crown, and abjure all political connection, contract, or association, with that Nation, who have wantonly trampled on our rights and liberties¬and inhumanly shed the innocent blood of American patriots at Lexington.

Notice the focus upon rights.

There is more evidence of The Tryon Resolves, from Tryon County, North Carolina. They were drafted and signed a few months later on August 14, 1775:

The unprecedented, barbarous and bloody actions committed by British troops on our American brethren near Boston, on 19th Apriland 20th of May last, together with the hostile operations and treacherous designs now carrying on, by the tools of ministerial vengeance, for the subjugation of all British America, suggest to us the painful necessity of having recourse to arms in defense of our National freedom and constitutional rights, against all invasions; and at the same time do solemnly engage to take up arms and risk our lives and our fortunes in maintaining the freedom of our country...

It is clear that this region was full of revolutionary spirit with a focus upon freedom. Is there a chance that could ever return? Can the people of Charlotte Mecklenburg perform a 180 degree turnaround? I think it is possible and I am more than hopeful. The seeds are in the ground here in the Carolinas. It may take a few decades, but there is promise.

http://ObjectivismOnline.com/blog/archives/002270.html

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