Wf)t Spirit of 2rf)e l^oanofee A Pageant of Halifax County History Glass Book JUJ:? I^ije spirit of VL^t ^oamkt A Pageant of Halifax County History DESIGNED AND WRITTEN IN COLLABORATION BY JIalifax Countp ^eacljers UNDER THE DIRECTION OF A. E. AKERS County Superintendent ANNIE M. CHERRY Supervisor of Rural Schools WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE DIVISION OF COMMUNITY DRAMA OF THE BUREAU OF EXTENSION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA HALIFAX COAT OF ARMS Jleralb ^ublis(f)ing Company ROANOKE RAPIDS, N. C. MCMXXI Dedicated to THE YOUTH OF HALIFAX COUNTY The Love of Yesterday, the Pride of Today and the Citizen of Tomorrow, in Memory of the County's Great Builders "r/ie Vision raised his blade, and iraved them on rrith 'Lo, the dawn.' " — Stockard Contents^ PAGE Foreword 3 The Production of the Pageant 7 The Committees of the Pageant S The Pageant Players 9 The Prologue: The Springing of the Waters 15 The First Part: Indian and Pioneer Period 17 Episode I : The Tuscaroras Bid Farewell to Morotuck, The River of Death 19 The Interlude: The Guardian Waters 25 The Second Part: The Revolutionary Period . ... 29 Episode I : The First Constitutional Convention . 31 Interlude 35 Episode II: The British in Halifax 37 Interlude ^-'^ Episode III: The Lafayette Ball 47 The Interlude: The Turbulent Waters 51 The Third Part: The Civil War Period 53 Episode I: The Departure of Scotland Neck Mounted Riflemen 55 Interlude 59 Episode II: The Soldiers in Camp 61 The Epilogue: The Mingling of the Waters . ... 67 E 2a pii>^ Halifx Cov/vty N C. S l^ural Community pageant THE importance of recreation in country communities can hardly be overemphasized. It is a vital social need in the lives of the people, separated as they are from each other by their rural conditions, and living i^emote from the city centers. Whatever may l)e done in bringing them together for wholesome enjoyment will help materially in meeting this need, in satisfying their craving for constructive social relations and for genuine community expression. The school is the natural meeting place of the people and the accomplishment of the schools of Halifax County in such a worthy endeavor as this historical Pageant is promising indeed. For exper- ience has proved again and again that when the right sort of recreation is provided the community will take on a new civic life. If the people can be brought together in play it will not be difficult to bring them together in striving for the common good of the community in which they live. This Pageant of Halifax County History was written by teachers from the four different groups into which the County Schools are divided. When Miss Annie M. Cherry, the Rural School Supervisor of the County, began to plan the Pageant, she called together a number of teachers from each of the four groups. Together they outlined the plan. Then they went back into the various sections of the County, which they represented, and worked out the episode assigned them. Each of the four groups included from five to eight different school communities bound together by common interest and loyalty to that group. Always the outline of the whole was consulted. The Pageant was further unified by the Prologue, Interludes and Epilogue, written by Miss Marjorie Craig, Principal of the Dawson School from the Hobgood group. So absorbed have the communities become in the production of the Pageant that group commencements have been given over this year to the practice of the various episodes. All the schools have joined in searching for historical costumes and properties and learning all that is possible about their episode in the Pageant of Halifax County. Tiie Pageant will be produced on May 6 at Weldon. Here on the Roanoke River, which plays so large a part in the making of their history, the people from all parts of the County will gather to commemorate their heroic past and to look together toward a greater future for thci]- County. Hural pageantry is a form of recreation designed to give ex})res- sion to the whole county connnunity. It is a play-form uniting the folk of all the countryside — not simply of a single village, town, or city — l)ut the whole people. It has sound educational values. It teaches no abstract lesson in history; it is a play, ratlier, vivid and colorful, of th(> life of the ])eo]>le. It is conceived })y the p(>ople them- selves and dedicated ])y them to the common welfare, it points the way with new vision toward the nuiking of a better connnunity in wliich to li\'e. It is a living drama of their historic traditions, de- sign(Hl to (juicken local pride in the pioneer past, to show its vital relation to the jiresent, and to incite the ])opular imagination toward a higher civic achievement in the future. The taste of the people is fundamentally sound and only needs the right sort of direction to express itself in terms of constructive imagination, in forms of beauty. A Pagcanl of Halifax County is a worthy i)ioneer in North Carolina in Hural Connnunity Drama by co-operative authorship. Such local pageants as this one may make a significant contribution to the development of oiu- popular dramatic tradition, may conti-ibute somewhat toward an ex]>ression of our national life in a new drama of the people. Frederick Henry Koch. Chapel Hill, Nohth Carolina. April 11, 1921. ^\)t ^robuction of Ctje pageant THE DIRECTORS A. E. Akers Annie M. Cherry THE WRITER OF LYRICS Marjorie Craig THE PAGEANT WRITERS Helen Burch jNIarjorie Craig Jeannette Snead Daniel Jessie L. Hodges Lucy Forlaw Nannie E. Pigg Kathleen Moore Annie Lee Stafford Ruby Sisk Rev. Lewis N. Taylor Kathleen Strickler THE LEADERS OF THE CHORUS Martha Bowers Lucy Crisp Julia Cunningham ^ Margaret Kinlaw THE LEADER OF THE ORCHESTRA Robert Shaw THE LEADERS OF THE DANCING Claude A. Boseman Lucy Crisp Emma Dunn Bess Edwards Mary Ervin Kathleen Moore Lucy Forlaw Mrs. Frank Nash Mary S. Riddick Annie S. Workman VL\)t Committeesi of Cfje |3ageant THE PRODUCTION COMMITTEE Miss Elizabeth Lay, rniversity of North (^irolina, Chairman Miss Axnik AVorkman ]\Irs. A. L. Purrixgton THE PUBLICITY COMMITTEE Mr. Norfleet 8. Saiith, Chairman Miss Gladys Cox Mrs. W. E. Daxiel Mh. I). Mac Johxsox THE BOOK COMMITTEE Mr. F. M. Shute, Chairman Miss Alice Coleman Miss Marjorie Mexdexhall Miss Mary Bobbitt Powell THE COSTUME COMMITTEE Mrs. J. D. Bellamy Mrs. Watson Bowers Mrs. Robert Brown Mrs. Daniel B. Byrd Mr. W. B. Edwards Mrs. Paul Hawkins Mrs. W. M. Hockaday Mr. D. Mac Johnson Miss Mary .Joyce Mrs. S. H. Lane Mrs. Chas. Marks Miss Mixxie Morris Miss Sik B. Overstree Mrs. a. L. Pirrixoton Miss Mary S. Piddick Mrs. R. a. Ro(;i;us Mrs. Fraxk Taylor Mrs. \\.i\. Wii.i.KY Miss Chairmex AIrs. a. (i. Bowdex Mrs. N. Braswell Mrs. W. F. Butterworth Mrs. S. M. Gary Mrs. Marvin Harris Miss Margaret Hayes Mrs. M. a. Huggixs Mrs. J. ]\I. Jackson Miss Faxxie Joyner Mr. Paul Lawrence Mrs. C. L. Lewis Miss Mattie McArthur r Mrs. D. S. Moss Miss Mamie Pittman Miss Clemie Pead Miss Annie Roblnsox Miss Ruby Sisk Miss Huhy Whitaker J ilia Willlvms Cfje pageant diapers THE PKOLOCiUE, THE LNTERLUDES, AND THE EPILOGUE The Spirit of the Roanoke Annie Lee Stafford The Attendant Water-Sprites . .Thurma Barclay, Annie Sue Britton, Elizabeth Colville, Helen Jenkins, Nettie Mae Johnson, Nellie Morris, PearlOutland, Mary Lee Tliomason, Laura Bell Tunstall, Meri/l Yoder. THE LIRST PART: THE INDL\N AND PIONEER DAYS Episode 1 : Tlie Tuscaroras Bid Farewell to Morotuck [Roanoke River], 1713. Played by the Harclrawee Group [seven rural schools] and Enfield. Big Chief Black Feather D. Mac Johnson A Brave J. E. Lawrence An Indian Scout Frank Hargrove A Pioneer A. W. Andleton A White Scout Thomas Braswell Pioneer Men, Women and Children; Indian Warriors, Squaws, Maidens and Children; The Indian Dancers THE SECOND PART: THE RE\()LITI()NARY PERIOD Episode I: The First Constitutional Convention, December, 177 h'. Played by the Aurelian Springs Group [eight rural schools] and Roanoke Rai:)ids. Willie [Wiley] Jones Marvin Harris Cornelius Harnett Reverend L. D. Hayman First Speaker W.C.Myrick Second Speaker Reverend N . H . Shepherd The Minister Reverend G. Stanley W/dte The Chorus of Freedom, The Birthkicht. 10 The SriKiT of tjie Hoanoke Episode II. The British in Ilaiifax, M(i]/, 17S1. Played by the Halifax Groui) [scvoii rural .sclioolsl and Wcldon. Governor Nash Ruleic/h T. Daniel General Allen Jones Charles Daniel Flora McDonald Veritas Sanders Sarah Jones Lucy Forlaw Major Davie G. H. Suiter A Patriot Scout Fletcher Gregory The Sentry Earl Rook A Townswoman Emma Dunn A Townsman Sam Warren Tarleton Basil Glover CoRNWALLis Thomas Dickens Miss Bishop Ruby Sisk Mrs. Willie Jones Mary Young Bass Mrs. John AsHK Nellie Haynes Gregory A British Scout Edward Rhea A British Private Richard Brown Guards . . . Daniel B. Byrd, Dana Dickens, Thomas Mcdlin, Meade Mitchell The British Soldiers The Patriot Soldiers The Citizens of Halifax; Men, Woiueu and Children. Episode III: The Lafayette Ball, February, 27, 1825. Played by the Halifax Group [seven rural schools] and Weldon Lafayette Sterling M. Gary Lafayette's Sox Robert Dickens Mrs. Nicholas Long Ursula Daniel Mrs. Littlejohn [Daughter of Willie Jones] Mattie McArthur Mrs. Hutchings G. Burton Alice Hatcher Samuel Weldon Norman House The .Vttendants at the liall; The Dancers of {\w Minuet 'rili': THIRD PART: THE CIX'IL WAR PI^RIOD Episode I : The Departure of the Scotland A'erk Mounted Rijlemen, April, ISdl. Played by the Holijiood Group [five rural schools] and Scotland Xcck. Captain A. B. Hill T. D. Temple Lieutenant Norfleet Smith Charles Shields Lieutenant B. G. Smith Chaiinccy Leggett A Pageaxt of Halifax Coixty Histoky 11 Lieutenant J. Y. Savage W.J. Grimes L. O'B. Branch A.W. Dunn Mother Annie Hobbs Armstrong Daughter Mary Louise Bell Girl Who Presents Flag Nannie Levns Color Bearer H. C. Bell Color Guards Duprec Shields, Douglas Temple A Horseman Kesler Askew An Aged Woman Annie Messenger The Bugler Eugene Ethcridge The Confederate Soldiers; The Citizens of Scotland Neck and Surrounding Com- munity; The Dancers of the Virginia Reel; The Negro Fiddlers Episode II: The Soldiers in Camp. Played by the Hobgood Group [five rural schools] and Scotland Neck. Buck Kenan F. T. House First Soldier ' . Charles Shields Second Soldier Chauncey Leggeti Third Soldier W.J. Grimes Fourth Soldier Herbert Butts Sweeney D. M. Selleis Body Guards .... Jesse Partine, Hampton Pope, and Ernest P. Weeks Negro Mammies Mary Avent Outerbridge, Virginia White Young Girls Who Sing The Homespun Dress; Other Soldiers THE EPILOGUE Columbia Mary Bobbitt Powell A Federal Soldier A. B. Cook A Confederate Soldier Wm. E. WhUmore World War Soldiers The Spirit of the New Day Margaret Kinlaw The Spirit of Progress Margaret Hayes The Heralds of Progress: Christianity Martha Bower.s Education Annie M. Cherry Childhood Elisabeth Hyman Community Spirit Marjorie Craig Industry J. A. Moore Thrift H. H. King TeIE BiRTIll'I.ACE OF THE StATE CONSTITUTION, Halifax, X. C. THE PROLOGUE A Source Spring of the Roanoke, Roanoke County, Va. Springing from its life source in the mountains of Virginia, the Roanoke takes its winding course through Carolina hills and lowlands, ever towards the ocean. Imbued with the spirit of the people who came, like it from Virginia, it teems with impulses, moods and idsions of a people u-hn still strive unccasiughj for life's sivelling sea. Roanoke River 3rt)e prologue The Springing of the Waters [The music sounds a summons of gladness. The Sprites of the Water dance in, led by the Spirit of the Roanoke. Around her they weave their light, gay dance, suggesting the sparkling and rippling of waters under cloudless skies. The Spirit of the Roanoke is a tall graceful figure, wearing a robe of pale-blue- green with a touch of silver and gold, the colors of the waters in sunlight.] The Spirit of the Roanoke In the unceasing tides of human existence, Surg'es forever an infinite longing To achieve, and to be one with the splendor and sweep Of an ultimate, Ijeckoning sea. I, the great River, am but many streamlets, I have always, and ever will, yearn for the sea; I am this people, their hopes and achievements, I am the prophet of greatness to be. I come with the Sprites of my waters about me Young like my life source, the bubbling of springs. Bidding you look to the Youth of our County, Joy in the stories of courage it brings. 16 1'llK SriKir OF TlIK lioANOKE [As the Water-Sprites dance about her she advances closer. By the shores of Roanoke River "Morotuck," the Red Man called it, Dwelt the Tuscarora Indians Hunting, fishing, trading, fighting, Undisturbed and unmolested 'Till, from out the Land of Morning, Came the pale-face brothers seeking Wealth of forest, fruit of field. Came Virginians seeking farm-lands On the Carolina shores. Long in peace they lived together Justice served to purchase safety; Pale-face paid his red-skin neighbor For his home, and war was not. But the rovers of the forest, Restive, longing for more freedom. Leave their primal habitations, Join the kindi'ed Iroquois — Leave the white man sole possessor Of the fertile Roanoke shores. THE FIRST PART Indian and Pioneer Days In 17 IS, at the dose of the India ii War, the remnants of the once ymcerful Tu^earoras barter to the enterpn'sina pioneers, venturing along the Roanoke shores, lands on which the foinidations of a new Commonwealih are to be laid. As the first settlements along the Albemarle thus overflow their bounds, the Red Man seeks a wider freedom among the tribes of the far north. The First Part— Indian and Pioneer Days olfje ^usicarorasi ^ih Jfarehjell to ilorotucfe, ^fte laiber of Beatfj, 1713 Scene: An Indian camp on the banks of Morotuck [Roanoke River]. [In the hockground are tepees around which several squaivs are busily at U'ork, some grinding corn, some making baskets of rushes, and one hoeing in the little patch of maize doivn near the river. A papoose is suspended from one tree. Two or three dogs are seen.] [Silently, as if by magic, a scout appears in front of the chiefs wigwam. The morning stillness is suddenly broken by the sounding of the tom-tom which is followed by the rapid assembling of the braves. They form the council circle. The scout makes it known that the lohiteskin pioneers from across the river are on their ivay to take full possession of the land. The chief then points upward to the Great Spirit who is guiding them to the northward. In silence the Death Dance of the tribe is given. The dance is followed by a pause during which the assembly awaits gravely the coming of the pioneers and the last sad moment of farewell to their olden homeland.] [The lumbering prairie-schooners, filled with pioneer parents, their eager-eyed children, and household possessions, draw up before the encampment. The men descend and offer bright colored shining trinkets, firearms and firewater to the chief and his braves.] The Pioneer Here, Big Chief Black Feather, is the promised payment for these bottom lands. [He points to the neighboring fields. The Chief accepts with a grunt of assent. Two braves take charge of the payment, while a third comes forth bearing a stalk of Indian corn.] The Brave Give White Brother aift. Sweet corn of tlie Red Man. 20 TlIK Sl'll.MT i>l' rilK Iu)A.\()KE The Pioneer [Exutniuiuy the gift closchj]. And how can tlic White ^^lan use it? The Brave We show tlie ]ilantinf>;. Show tlie liarvest. Rich hinds— niucli corn. [He goes through the motionn of pJaniing corn, burying first a fish and covering it well, then measuring its upward growth until it is as high as the one he bears in his hand.] [Here the Corn Dance o/ the tribe is given, in which not onbj the corn-planting and the harvesting season are pictured hut a/.so the supplication made to the Great Spirit. This is followed by the smoking of the Peace Pipe as a symbol of peace and friendly greeting to the neiv-comers. The Chief first smokes the calumet, then offers it to the Pioneer who in turn passes it around the circle to the Indian braves and pioneers. The Indian maidens then come forward and dance quietly the sacred Peace Pipe Dance of the race. After this ceremony, the Pioneer again speaks.] The Pioneer We will live h(>re to^ethei-, build our homes and be your friends forever. The Chief [,SV/r//// shaking his head.] No live to<>;(>ther. C.reat S])irit call us. Say Ro join Iroquois. Say go Northward— Land of the North Wind. Ishkoodah, the comet up there came to warn us. \o live here. We go. [He extends his hand in farewell.] The Pioneer May the Great Sjiirit lead you to a llap|)\' Hunting (bound. The Chief We go. We leave you our forests, our rivers, our si)rings. Much good water over yonder, l^'d Man's si)ring. nnich good water. A Pageant of Halifax Couxty History 21 The Pioneer Point us the way, for we, too, must have good water. [The Chief points tutrard Halifax. Then in silence the Red Man and the White Man bid each other farewell. They part, going in opposite directions, the pioneers into the neighboring lowlands, the Indians into the North, carrying all their possessions.] THE INTERLUDE V^\)t Snterlutie tE^fje ^uartitan OTaters; The Spirit of the Roanoke As settlements grew on the banks of the River New counties were formed and at last Halifax Withdrew from old Edgecombe, though with opposition, And bravely began her career. And, as in the tales of long ago times, Good fairies came christening the new-comer there, The Sprites of the River bore gifts of great value, A sign of a future, more rich and more fair. And these are the gifts that the sprites of the water Came bringing our County in those youthful days — Courage to build and joy in the buikling. Love of the largess of beauty so free. Trust in the God of Rivers and Nations Who created hearts that would yearn for the sea; But above all, the gift that is priceless. Love that leads upward and outward and on, Spending its richness in generous service Watch-hght to glow till a new-breaking dawn. [The Water Sprites dance before the Spirit of the Roanoke to whom they are bringing their gifts.] The Spirit of the Roanoke And over it all rests the promise, A rainbow blending in one The high exultation, the vision, 26 The SimIvMI' oi-" tiik IIoa.ndkk The lovo of the huildinj;- hcfiuii. I am tli<' I{iv<'r, the l^roplict, Yours is the gladsome lay, And grandly the seers of the ages Shall sing the high dreams of today. And fired l)y the ]iromise, the people Have riven the barrier gray Advaneing free, like streams to the sea Toward the goal that is called today. And what was the dream that could lure to tlic west If not freedom to live and create? Should the tyrant, King George, wrest from our grasp The gifts that should stamp us as great? No: Unjustly he ruled. He forteitcnl then Allegiance forevermore. On the Fourth of July our spirit was voiced And the news spread from mountain to shore. And Halifax wildly exulted that day, When Harnett was there* to read The immortal words that the world has proclaimed A lesson for free men to heed. And without delay the Colony's best Unite to establish a State. The State Constitution from Willie Jones' pen Is signed without lengthy debate. Repeatedly Halifax gives of her best For the glorious cause she defends; And Freedom mounts ujnvard, a caged thing released, Till victory upon us tlescends. .1 chorus of freedom, "The Birthrkiht. " conies as; a climax to the words of the Si'iRiT of the Roanoke, who slirrcd by its strains marches proiidh/ on.\ A Pageant of Halifax ConxTY History 27 The Birthright "Sons of a land where the Goddess of Light Lifts high the torch that shall guide you aright, Wherever you go and whatever you do, Hands must l)e ready and hearts must be true. Ready to hold all that Honor sustains, Ready to yield all that Justice ordains, True to the Faith and to Duty's command, True to your Birthright, your Native Land. " Chorus "Courage be the watchword — ever, Courage to do when the deed is right, Ahvays Truth, and Falsehood— never. Through all the struggle keeping Honor bright." — "Sons of the Free, tread the pathway of Men! Deeds that were great may be done once again. — Keep bravely the road though the journey be far, March ever forward, your eyes on a star. Ready to meet every pitfall and snare. Ready to do, when to do is to dare, True to yourself and to Honor's command. True to your Birthright, your Native Land." THE SECOND PART The Revolutionary Period April 1.2, 1770, the Provincial Congress, in session at Halifax, passed the fatuous resolution instructing the delegates in the Continental Congress from North Carolina to vote for a N^ational Declaration of Inde- pendence, antedating similar resolutions from other colonies. November 12, 177(!, the first Consti(uti in their nature reciprocal and the one should of Right be refused where the other is withdrawn; and Whereas George the Third, King of Great Biitain and late Sovereign of the British American Colonies, hath not only withilrawn from them his protection, but by an act of the British Legislature declared tlie inhabitants of these states out of the protection of tlie British Crown and all their prop- erty found upon the High Seas liable to be seized and confiscated to the; uses mentioned in the said act. And the said George the Third has also sent fleets and armies to prosecute a cruel war against them for the purpose of reduc- ing the inhabitants of the said (Colonies to a state of abject slavery, in con.sequence whereof, all government under the said King within the said Colonies and a total Dissolution of Government in many of them hath taken place. "And whereas, in our present State, in order to prevent anarchy and confusion, it becomes necessary that Government should be established in this State; therefore, we, the Representatives of the Freemen of North Carolina, chosen and assembled in Congress for the (>xpress purpose of framing a Constitution under the authority of the People, most conducive to their Hai)piness and Prosperity, do declare that a (Jovernment for this State shall be established in manner and form following to-wit: (1) " L That the legislat ive authority shall be vested in two distinct Branches, both dei)eridcnt on the People, a Senate and a House of (Commons. (2) "Vn. That all Freemen of the age of twenty-one, who liave lieen inhal)itaiits of any one County within the State twelve months imme- dintely preceediiig the day of any election and posses.sed of a I'reelioid A Pageant of Halifax County History 33 within the same County of Fifty acres of land for six months next before, and at the day of election, shall be entitled to vote for a member of the Senate. (3) "VIII. That all Freemen at the age of twenty-one who have been inhabitants of any County within the State twelve months im- mediately preceding the day of any Election, and shall have paid taxes, shall be entitled to vote for a member of the House of Commons in the County in which he resides. (4) "XXXIV. That there shall be no establishment of any one religious Church or Denomination in this State in preference to any other, neither shall any person, on any pretense whatever, be compelled to attend any place of worship contrary to his own faith or judgment — Provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to exempt preachers of treasonable and seditious discourses, from legal trial and punishment. (5) "XLI. That a school or schools be established by the Legis- lature for the convenient instruction of Youth, with such salaries to the Masters, paid by the Public, as may enable them to instruct at low prices, and all useful learning shall be duly encouraged and promoted in one or more Universities. "This Constitution is not intended to preclude the present Congress from making temporary provisions for the well ordering of this State, until the General Assembly enact a Government agreeable to the mode herein described. "December the Eighteenth, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Six, read the third time, and ratified in open Congress." Richard Caswell, Presiilcnt. James Green, Jr., Secretary. [At the end of the reading the crowd remains silent. A minister steps forward and lifts his hand. The people bow their heads reverently.] The Minister Almighty God, the Father of ah men. Who art the Giver of Freedom and the Author of Everlasting Life. We are conscious of our inal^ihty to do any good thing without Thy help. We desire to put into execution plans for the good of Thy people. We invoke Thy Divine Guidance in the affairs of our people in this County and this State. We humbly beseech Thee that Thou wouldst be pleased to direct and prosper, by the power of the Holy Ghost, all their consulta- tions, to the advancement of Thy Glory, the safety, honor and welfare of Thy people; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavors upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happi- ness, truth and justice, religion and piety may be established among 34 TlIK SlMIMT OK TIIK lio.WOKE US for all geiuTutions. tSave us from all error, ignorance, pride and prejudice and from whatsoever else may hinder us from righteousness. These things we huml)l>- l)(>g in the Name and mediation of Thy Son our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. [As the crowd stirs expectantly, Harnett speaks.] Harnett Fellow Count rvincn : — "Maj' I ask. tliat we, in tlio midst of such tonsonoss and enthusiasm, bring our minds to fully appreciate the solemnity of this occasion which is to be memorable in the history of our Country? As was most fittinp:. we have invoked the Divine Guidance of the Almighty. It is true that He lielps those who liel|) themselves, that He enables His people, in a measure, to answer their own ]ietitions. Therefore, we must co-operate with Him in this great and imixntant undertaking. "In the ancient games in Greece the runners bore a torch and, having completed their assigned run, they handed the torch to their successor who carried it on as he ran his race. Our forefathers have been doing the pioneer work; they have blazed the trail for us and amidst tremenaous hardships and difficulties they have carried their torch in the race and and have gained for the people of Halifax this land and left for us, with their torch handed on to us, the heritage of independence. The necessary steps have been taken to free us from the shackles of slavery to an oppressive government under that despot, George the Third. Liberty is one of Heaven's best gifts to men. Our fathers have realized this in the Resolu- tions drawn up in Halifax on April r2th, and in reading the National Declaration of Indeix'ndence here on November 21st. As carrying on these deeds a State has been formed by these representatives of the people of this colony assembled in this town. For Freedom hard times have been endured, harder days are before us. We must be ready to make the fight for it, come what may. May the .sense of what has been done for us, may the appreciation of what we need, may the responsibility of our duty so inspire us that we may be ready to face the future with a willingness to get into the thick of the fight and carry our ho[)es into fruition. In the words of Patrick Henry spoken last Spring in Richmond, let us take as our motto, "I know not what cour.se others may pursue but as for me, give me liberty or give me death." [.4/nid enthusiastic cheers Harnett is borne off the stage on the shoulders of the men. The cannon from the fort at Qiianky booms the glorious tidings while the band plays excitedhj.] interlube The Spirit of the Roanoke Into the County long linos of Red-Coats, Headed by Tarleton, march with the sword, Gathering at Halifax, raiders go searching For varied supi:)lie8 the rich farm lands afford. What Halifax could not conceal or destroy Was seized as the prize and the trophy of war, And even stern Tarleton felt the brave spirit, Of young and of old, from near and afar. Great exultation arose as the soldiers Moved on to Yorktown to final defeat. Turned upside down was the world to the British, But to our patriots vict'ry was sweet. The Second Part — The Revolutionary Period EPISODE II arfte entrance of ^arleton into JIalifax, iilap 1781 Scene: Camp Quanky. [The scene opens with CiEN. Allen Jones and his Halifax niilitia marching in — the band is plaijing " Yankee Doodle.'" They have just returned from a hike. They scatter in groups to rest. A scout 7'ushes in hreathlessly . A Scout [S'aluting.] Sir, the Rod Coats are upon us! Tarleton has crossed Fishlno; Creek and is advancing along the Huckleberry Swamp road. [General Jones displays surprise, but his face betrays little of his feeling. He turns to a soldier.] General Jones Summon Governor Nash and the officers of each regiment to a conference with me at once. [The soldier salutes and goes off.] [With head bowed in thought General Jones strides up and down in front of his men who talk excitedly in tohispers. The sentry who has been walking his post sedutes and reports.] The Sentry Sir, a lady who begs an audience with you. Mistress Flora McDonald. General Jones [Speaking to the approaching icoman.] Mistress McDonald, I am at your service. 38 'J'liK Si'ii;rr dk iiik IJoanoke Floha M( Donald Sir, my liushaiul is confined here in yoiii- Ilnlit'iix j;iil. The stale air of the prison is undcrniinin";' iiis health. He needs the air and sun- shine of the outdoors. He will not trouMe >'ou a^aiii. Tliough his sentiments will i-emain unchanrty any Tory. An authority higher than I must handle matters of sueh grave import. I bid you good day, Mistress McDonald. [(Jeneral Jones ho^vs low