THE MEYERSDALE COMMERCIAL
INCE first our sires stood beside the
And fired the shot that echoed ‘round the world,
Has come to pass the epoch of their dream
When to the April breeze ther flag unfurled.
stream,
TF o0AY, where floats the Stars and Stripes, we deem
Each star defiance at the tyrant hurled;
Each stripe a bar "gainst despots, too, would seem
To interpose for human rights impenled.
Toa in foreign lands, the flag is flung
Against a crimson sky across the sea,
Where battle’s bane from out the land has wrung
Its dreadful toll.
It promises to free
Each nation, and to number each among
All peoples in a worldwide liberty.
—HARLOWE R. HOYT.
= DR
North Carolina
Led Colonies in
Freedom’sFight
T is popularly supposed that the
Independence of the United States
began on a Fourth of July in Phil-
adelphia, but down in the Old
North State is a community that
threw off the British yoke more than
a year before the
Tumult in the city,
In the quaint old Quaker town
announced the first general step to-
ward the freedom of the colonies.
In 1765 the British parliament passed
the stamp act. When the first sloop of
war arrived off Cape Fear from Eng-
land carrying stamped paper the peo-
ple terrorized the captain until he was
afraid to land his stuff, and then they
captured the stamp officer from the
governor and
made the officer
take oath that he
would not at-
tempt to enforce
the use [ON
stamps. A year
.Jater the stamp
act was repealed.
But North Caro-
lina had found
that she had a
power when the
people arose, and
the English
crown was never
again sure of its
ground in the col-
ony.
The people as-
serted the right
of free assem-
blage after that,
and the assump-
tion led to numer-
ous clashes with
the governor un-
til in May, 1771,
the governor, with soidiers, proceeded
against a band of men calling them-
selves Regulators; and a few miles
north of Southern Pines a battle was
fought in which more than 100 casual-
ties occurred on both sides, nearly two
score being killed. This was the first
bloodshed in the Revolution. The In-
judicious governor, whose force was
victorious, aroused further hatred on
the part of the people by hanging a
number of his prisoners. Herman
Husbands, the leader ‘of the Regula-
tors, escaped and went to Pittsburgh,
where he settled, dying later at Phila-
delphia.
<=
convention was held at Newbern in Au-
gust, 1774. The meeting of the colonial
legislature, which followed, practically
endorsed the radical views of the con-
vention, which was proclaimed by the
governor to be anarchy. The result was
that the legislature was dissolved and
the governor took refuge on a ship of
war in Cape Fear river.
In May, 1775, the people of Mecklen-
burg county had a convention, anc
they took occasion, nearly 14 months
before the Declaration of Independence
was issued at Philadelphia, to say
that—
Ringing Declaration.
“We declare ourselves a free and
independent people; are and of right
ought to be a sovereign and indepen-
dent self-governing association, under
no power than that of our God and
the general government of congress.
To the mainte-
nance of which in-
dependence we
solemnly pledze
to each other our
mutual co-opera-
tion, our lives,
our fortunes and
our most sacred
honor.”
The convention
that adopted such
startling resolu-
tions of indepen-
dence undertook
to lay the founda-
tion for a govern-
ment for North
Carolina until a
suitable and sta-
ble form could be
provided by con-
gress, and from
— that day the au-
thority of the British crown was exhib-
ited only during those few times when
Cornwallis made his ventures with
more or less varying success on the
territory of the colony.
North Carolina was the first of the
colonies to have an English settlement,
the first to shed blood in the war for
independence, and the first to give ut-
terance in explicit form to that inde-
pendence. Nor was the declaration of
the people of Mecklenburg the sole
manifestation of the sentiment in-the
matter. At Fayetteville, on Cape Fear
river helow Southern Pines, another
Declaration of Independence ante-
dated that of Philadelphia. The peo-
ple in Cumberland county, of which
Fayetteville is the capital, issued their
statement in June of 1775, insisting
that resort to arms was justified, and
pledging each other to sacrifice life
and fortune to the freedom and safety
of an oppressed people. In April, 1776,
still before the Philadelphia Declara-
The feeling was fatned by the ex-
tion of Independence, the provincial
treme acts of each side, until a state | congress of North Carolina appointed
a committee to prepare a civil consti-
tutien, and it was done so well that
the document served some 60 years us
the organic law of the state. And so
it was that North Carolina opened the
road that led up to the creation of the
most progressive nation on the face of
the earth, and the one whose influence
has done most for the advancement of
mankind.
Some Tory Sentiment.
All of this section of North Carolina
was not enthusiastic in the Declaration
of Independence. A portion of the set-
tlers were ardent Tories—so ardent,
in fact, that it was not until the war
of 1812 that the Scotch of Cape Fear
valley finally turned away absolutely
from the royal standard.
The story is one of singular misfor-
tune. The Cape Fear valley was set-
tled largely by
the adherents of
the Stuart family,
which met with
such disaster at
Culloden that
many of the fol-
lowers of the Pre-
tender were ban-
ished to America
for taking up
arms against the
British crown. Be-
fore these people
were permitted to
sail they were
sworn on a bind-
ing oath to be
loyal henceforth
to the English
king. When the
settlers around
them in North
Carolina were ris-
ing against the
royal governor, declaring indepen-
dence, refusing to pay stamp taxes,
making new constitutions and fighting
against the king, the Scotch settlers
were in arms under the British flag.
Their oath and their bitter experience
before migrating to America prompted
them to keep away from any further
rebellious acts.
Greene's Memory Worthy of Honor.
Next to Washington, Nathanael
Greene was the most potent force in
our struggle for national independence.
He was born on May 27, 1742, in a lit:
tle farmhouse in Rhode Island. His
boyhood was spent like that of the
other youth of the neighborhood. Prob
ably it was a little less exciting, for
his father was a strict Quaker aad
pastor of a church at East Greenwich
He was also a “captain of industry” af
that period. With his five brothers, he
owned a forge, a grist mill, a sawmill
as well as a store for the sale of gen
eral merchandise.
PENNSYLVANIA
STATE ITEMS
-
Pottstown.—As a result of swa'low-
ing by mistake rat poison conta'ning
arsenic, Mary, a little daughter of
John K. Binder, a Pottstown newspa-
per man, was made seriously IIL
Sunbury.—J. R. Stamm, manager
for a wholesale grocery house, had a
bad half hour when he returned from
a business trip and found his wallet
containing $1600 in Liberty Bonds
missing. A little later a telegram told
him that the Pullman porter had found
the bonds and that they would be re-
turned.
Harrisburg.—Highway Commission-
er O'Neil has asked for bids for 75,000
feet of new road construction, to be
opened in July. The construction in-
cludes Kennett Square borough and
Pocopson township, Chester county;
Hollidaysburg, Clarion and townships
in Erie, Greene, Mercer and Washing-
ton counties.
Williamsport.—An appropriation of
$800,000 has been made by the rail-
road administration for enlargement
of the New York Central shops near
Jersey Shore, to include new car
shops "and new machine and black-
smith shops, as well as improved
equipment and power plant. Work
will be started at once.
Shamokin.—Running from her home
to greet a playmate, six-year-old
Mabel Higgins ran in front of a six-
horse team, was knocked down and
trodden on by one of the beavy
draught horses, and is in a dying con-
dition at the Shamokin State hospital.
Harrisburg.—The commission of Ed-
ward J. Fox as supreme court justice
was signed by Governor Brambaugh
and sent to the home of the justice.
This is the first time in recent years
that two appointments of justices of
the supreme court have been made
within a month.
Selinsgrove.—On charges of buying
wheat from Snyder county farmers
and exchanging it for flour contrary
to food administration rules, M. B.
Brubaker and David Neitz were or-
dered to return the flour and to pay
$10 each to the Red Cross.
Sunbury.—Wrapped in American
flags, Mrs. John Koenig and Mrs. John
Meyers effectively stopped an attempt
of a party of workmen to lay a pipe
line across their properties. Procur-
ing a revolver, Mrs. Koenig wrapped
thie flag about her shoulders and jump-
ed into the ditch. She defied any ac-
tion. Mrs. Meyers followed suit, and
the workmen retired, admitting that
they were beaten.
Sunbury.—At a meeting of whole-
sale and retail liquor dealers here
it was decided to cut out the clubs
and family trade if the liquor shortage
continues. Beer picnics will also be
taboo in Northumberland county this
summer, as. far as the breweries and
beer wholesalers are concerned.
Carlisle—Herbert Hays, a grandson
of Molly Pitcher and a well-known
citizen of Carlisle for many years,
has died.
Shamokin.—J. Burns Kadel, of
Wayneshoro, has made an unprece-
dented offer to the war gardeners and
farmers of the Mahanoy valley, Tre-
vorton and Zerbe township who last
week lost heavily when a hailstorm
ruined their gardens. He has 3000
tomato, cauliflower and pepper plants
which he offers to send free of charge
to victims of the hailstorm who are
willing to replant the war gardens.
Yniontown.—Four buildings were
completely destroyed, another damag-
ed and one woman seriously injured
during a severe electrical storm which
swept Fayette county. The home of
Burgess Thomas McFadden, of Fair-
chance, was damaged, and Mrs. Mec-
Fadden badly shocked. The home of
Sel. G. Krepps, near Republic; the
barns of William L. Stewart, Luzerne
township; Dr. Charles H. Smith, near
Bute, and O. D. Porter, Luzerne town-
ship, were entirely consumed by
flames which followed the stroke. The
loss is estimated at about $75,000.
Mount Carmel.—The fiftieth anni
versary of the institution of Mount
Carmel Lodge, No. 630, I. O. O. F.,
was celebrated here. Among the speak:
ers were Fred Gross, who has been
secretary for the last forty-eight
years.
Mount Carmel. — War conditions
have not slowed up police work here.
There were fifty arrests in two days
for various offenses.
Shenandoah.—Deserting his wife
and three children, John Melefsky, it
is alleged, broke open the trunk of
his father-in-law, who made his home
with him, and stole $200 and left for
parts unknown. His wife claims gam-
bling caused his downfall. Police have
issued a decree against all gambling
places and slot machines.
McKee.—John - Sell, eighty-three
vears old, of this place, has applied
for service in the army as a veteri-
narian.
Harrishurg.—Compulsory work for
slackers is urged by the state compen-
sation board.
Mauch Chunk.—Many miners who
retired for age, years ago, are welcom-
ed back to work in the Lehigh field
Montrose.—While working on a road
near here, Claude Snell was struck
by lightning and Killed.
Lancaster.—While examining goods
John Brill, superintendent of a cotton
mill, fell dead from heart disease.
Seranton.—Six million dollars in
corporation and income tax was col-
lected at the Scranton revenue office.
June 15
Universal Military Service Is the Great
Preparedness Program
By EDWARD W. PICKARD of the Vigilantes
The great war, whatever may be its effect on the
fate of dynasties and on national boundaries, is certain
to be followed by a “leveling” process wider than the
world has ever known. Already the movement is well
under way in many of the countries of the old werld,
and its spread to the new world is inevitable. The in-
sistent will of the great mass of the people is imposing
itself on the governments of the nations. Where & 1s
not expressed by their legislative representatives it will
be given voice more directly.
The ancient fiction that there are no “classes” in
America has long been discarded, but before maamy
years we will have approached much nearer to that
ideal state of equality. The nations that are best prepared for the coming
change will suffer the least disturbance from it. The United States now
has under consideration a plan potent to prepare it—universal military
training.
In the working of this plan the young men of all stations of life will
be brought together on terms of absolute equality. The sons of the farm-
er, the miner, the artisan, the professional man, the capitalist, the cen-
gressman, will drill together, hike together, dig trenches together, mess
together, sleep together, and no man will be better than his comrades. Im
this close association they are bound to thresh out their differences, to
learn one another’s needs and views, and from this must come mutual re--
spect for varying opinions. At the end of their term of service these young
men will return to civil life with a knowledge of their fellow citizens suck
as their ancestors never have had.
What the people of America want they can have. The whole coun-
#y, rather than congress or any one administration, was to blame for our
lack of preparedness for the war. Universal military service is the gmeat
preparedness program for after-the-war conditions. The whole country
will be to blame if it is not adopted.
Educational Opportunities for All Country
Children Must Be Given
By MARY C. C. BRADFORD
State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Denver, Colo.
The rural school problem as a whole is practically one with the grea
problem of America’s function in modern civilization. For America’s
proper discharge of its mission in twentieth-century life depends upon #he
effectiveness of its educational system, and that part of the school orgasi-
zation embraced in what are called rural schools provides for the trama-
ing of more than one-half of the children in the United States. Therefore
it is easy to see the importance of giving to the majority of the scheel
population of our country such advantages as will enable them to become
worthy to transmit the best traditions of American life and thought te
future generations. Ample educational opportunities for all county
children must be afforded by any school system claiming to do efficient
work. Education broad and deep and rich in content and practically
adapted to the needs of the rural community must be the aim. The coum-
try child is entitled to instruction from professionally trained teachess
and to the use of schoolhouses and playgrounds arranged in such a wag
as to conserve health and comfort and to develop appreciation of beauty
and the use of power. The community is entitled to the possession amd
use of such buildings for all purposes tending to enrich the community
life and to tighten the bond of community unity.
The rural school teacher is entitled to a salary commensurate with
the cost of living and the present-day demands in the lines of scholarships,
professional activity, and community leadership. The teacher is ako
entitled to a home environment of comfort, added to at least a modicum
of beauty, to the end that hours of preparatory work and leisure may be
spent in congenial surroundings, thereby increasing the efficiency of
the teacher.
h reeding Stock on Farms Is One of Most
Vital Factors to People
By A. G. LEONARD, President of Chicago Union Stock Yards
To the average American farmer the world war is still a far-off evest.
When he does wake up to the true significance of this great struggle,
he will see that preservation of breeding stock on farms is one of the most
vital factors to all the people of every nation, in order that the world's
rapidly disappearing supply of meats, wool and leather may be replen-
ished. Everything points to a continuance of the war for some time te
come. . The world’s needs will increase as the war goes on.
Is it not plain that the demands upon agriculture for food and cloth-
ing will grow greater and greater with each month of destruction; that
it will be impossible to produce an adequate supply, espeeially of ami-
mal products, such as meats, leather and wool, unless breeding herds are
maintained, and that those American farmers who are wise enough te
realize this fact and prepare for the world’s coming greatest needs, which
are inevitable, will reap the greatest rewards for their foresight, both im
money and the gratitude of their fellow men?
There was an estimated yield last year in the United States of
3,210,000,000 bushels of corn, which is an increase of 627,000,000 bushels
over the crop of 1916. It is easily seen that the usual quantity of corm
thrown upon the grain market and sold as corn will be more than doubled
during the season just about to open.
The amount of corn consumed directly as human food is so small
compared to that fed to live stock that any probable increase in the
former would scarcely affect the proportions of the entire crop; so, im
spite of the great world demand for cereals, there is more than likely
during the coming year to be a large surplus of corn thrown upon the
markets for grain, with resulting declines in market value. At the same
time conditions give a positive assurance of sustained prices for live
stock of all kinds. ~
The logic of the whole situation points to liberal profits for those
who study it broadly in the light of facts and hold on to their young and
feeding stock until matured.