To the meeting at Halifax on the 4th of April, 1776, John Phifer, Robert Irwin and John McKnitt Alexander.

To the meeting at Halifax, on the 12th of November, 1776 (which formed the first State Constitution) John Phifer, Robert Irwin, Waighstill Avery, Hezekiah Alexander and Zaccheus Wilson.

All of these Delegates were unwavering patriots, and nearly all were signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.  Not only were the patriotic sons of Mecklenburg county active and vigilant in those trying times, but no portion of our State was more constantly the theater of stirring events during the drama of the American Revolution.  “Its inhabitants,” says Tarleton in his campaigns, “were more hostile to England than any others in America.”

A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE MECKLENBURG CENTENNIAL.

The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, proclaimed to the world on the 20th of May, 1775, was celebrated in Charlotte on the 20th of May, 1875, with all the honors and ceremonies befitting such an important occasion.  A vast assemblage of at least 25,000 persons were present to enjoy the “welcome” extended to all, and participate in the festivities of this gala day of North Carolina.  For three days preceding the grand holiday, (17th, 18th and 19th) visitors were continually pouring into the city.  Enthusiastic excitement and necessary preparations were everywhere visible.  Flags and streamers greeted the eye in every direction.  Many private residences were handsomely decorated.  One of the most exalted ideas was a Centennial pole, 115 feet high, erected by Capt.  Thos.  Allen, in the centre of Independence Square, from the top of which floated to the breeze a large flag, capped with a huge hornet’s nest from Stokes county.  To preserve the Centennial feature as far as possible of the Convention of the 19th of May, 1775, called out by Col.  Thos.  Polk, accordingly, on the 19th of May, 1875, a procession was formed, and the military companies formed into a hollow square around the Centennial pole, the bands, in the meantime, rendering sweet music, and the artillery firing minute guns.  The Mayor, Col.  William Johnston, then addressed the multitude, extending to them a cordial welcome in behalf of the citizens and authorities of Charlotte; after which Governor Brogden was introduced, and spoke substantially as follows:  He said the principles of liberty enunciated by the fathers of the revolution, one hundred years ago, upon the spot he then occupied would live throughout all time.  Here, as free American citizens, they had proclaimed the principles which North Carolina had ever since upheld, and of which this glorious flag, which waves protection to American citizens on land and sea was the star-gemmed type.  Under this old flag we have a duty to perform in peace as well as in war.  We have the principles of the fathers of the Mecklenburg Declaration to maintain.  All should remember the sacrifices which gave us the