North Carolina Newspapers

The Wolverine State Is 100 Years Old By ELMO SCOTT WATSON N JANUARY 26 the state of Michigan will celebrate its Now, there may be someone who will take exception to that statement and say: "But Michigan has already cele brated her centennial. She did that two years ago and the United States Post Office department, recognizing November 1, 1835, as the Wolverine state's birthday, issued a special commemorative stamp in her honor." All of which is perfectly true and if you look in some reference books you'll find November 1, 1835 given as the date of Michigan's admission to the Union. But in others you'll also find January 26, 1837, as the date. So how can a state have two birthdays, and which is correct ? November 1, 1835, or January 26, 1837? The answer is that both of them are more or less correct, but that the latter has the better claim to being the real birth day. And thereby hangs the tale of the paradoxical position in which the state of Michigan found itself a century ago. For at that time it had passed the territorial $tege, bad a regu larly organized state government and was in the United States, but it was neither territory nor state of the United States. one hundredth birthday. To get at the origins or an ' this situation it is necessary to go back to the year 1755 when Michigan was still a part of the empire of His Brittanic Majesty, King George III of England. In that year one John Mitchell, an English physician and scientist, published in London a great map of America In eight large sheets. This map was accepted as the -- ? * 1 basis (or determining the bounda ries from that time until after the treaty of peace which ended the Revolution. Mitchell's idea of the lay of the land in the Old North west was rather hazy, so there were a number of errors in his map. Some of these were fortu nate for the United States, for they enabled the new nation to lay claim to more land than it would have obtained if the map had been correct. Mitchell's Mistake. Mitchell made the mistake of charting the foot of Lake Michi gan in latitude 41 degrees, 20 minutes, instead of 41 degrees, 17 minutes. His map was used as a guide in 1787 when congress adopted an ordinance for the gov ernment of the Northwest Terri tory, including the present states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illi nois, and Wisconsin. The ordi nance provided that two of the five states should lie "north of an east and west line drawn through the southern bend or extreme of Lake Michigan." The preamble of the ordinance also stated that its articles should "forever re main unalterable unless by com mon consent." In 1800 Ohio was set off from the Northwest Territory, includ ing the eastern portion of Michi gan, but in 1802 the whole of the Lower Peninsula was annexed to the Territory of Indiana. In that year also congress authorized the people of Ohio to form a state government for entrance into the Union. Accordingly a conven tion was held to draw up a con stitution. A trapper told the delegates that th* actual foot of Lake Michigan was some dis tance south of the point shown on Mitchell's map. So the canny Buckeyes, determined to get all that was coming to them, stipu lated that if the east and west line laid down by congress should fall so far south as to miss Lake Erie, Ohio would then claim all territory to the northernmost cape of Miami bay. On June 30, 1809, Michigan was set off as a separate -territory, with substantially its present lim its, and Gen. William Hull was appointed its first territorial gov ernor. Hull is chiefly remem bered because of his surrender of Detroit to the British at the out break of the War of 1812 when he gave up that strategic post without making any attempt to defend it. He was succeeded the following year as governor by Lewis Cass, one of the most re markable figures in American history. (Because of his impor tance in the history of Michigan he will be considered at more length later in this article). A Yeathfal Governor. Cass served as governor until 1811 when he was succeeded by George Bryan Porter who died In July, ltM. Serving as aecre tary of the territory under Porter was a nineteen-year-old Virgin ian named Stevens Thomson Ma son. He had come to Michigan from Kentucky and after Por ter's death he was made acting governor. As such he played a leading role in the exciting but bloodless "Toledo war." But before beginning the story of that affair, it is necessary to cut back briefly to 1805 when Michigan was made a territory. The act of congress creating the Territory of Michigan fixed the southern boundary as provided in the ordinance of 1787. The re sult was that the new teiritory claimed a strip of land some five or six miles wide across the entire southern side of Lake Erie, including the port of To ledo. "But," retorted the Buck eyes, "that's our land. We laid claim to it three years ago and we intend to have it." So there was an acrid dispute which dragged along unsettled for 30 years. By 1835 Michigan was ready to become a state and sought to en force its claim on the Lake Erie strip. But Ohio had its Miami and Erie canal system under construction and wanted an out let for it in Toledo. Mason, the youthful governor of Michigan, denounced this "Ohio steal" and the people of his state backed him up in his determination to assert Michigan's claim to the Lake Erie strip. In March, 1835, he rushed a thousand Michigan militiamen into Toledo, resolved to hold it against the Buckeyes at all costs. At the same time Gov. Robert Lucas of Ohio called out his mi CASS CLIFF MEMORIAL On Mackinac Island litia and marched to Perrysburg with 600 of them to protect the Ohio aurveyors who were running ? northern boundary line ? far enough north to include Toledo. Moreover, the Ohio legislature .formed a county out of the dis puted territory, including Toledo, and gave it the name of Lucas in honor of their governor. An Early "Night Court." When the Michigan militia forcibly ejected the Ohio survey ors, it was up to Lucas to assert not only military but judicial sov ereignty over this region. He began issuing commissions to county officers and at midnight one night, while the Michigan de fenders of Toledo slept, a group of Buckeyes stole into the town with law books and judicial pa pers and hurriedly went through the formalities of "holding court." Having done this, they raced their horses back to the protection of the Ohio troops. Michigan's retort to such actions was to catch and imprison every inhabitant of the disputed terri tory who accepted a commission from Governor Lucas or other wise indicated allegiance to Ohio. Next the Ohio legislature in special session appropriated $900,000 and authorized its fight ing governor to borrow $100,000 more to matntate Ohio's juried ic JOHN MITCHELL'S 1755 MAP OF THE OLD NORTHWEST tion over the Lake Erie strip. The Ohio adjutant general re ported to Lucas that 10,000 mili tia were ready to march and drive the Michiganders out of Lu cas county where flghts between the rival factions were occurring almost daily. Jackson Intervenes. As the situation became in creasingly critical the federal government began to take notice. President Andrew Jackson re quested both sides to declare a truce until congress could settle the dispute. That was perfectly satisfactory to the Buckeyes, for they knew that the President was on their side in the matter. In congress Illinois and Indiana lined up with Ohio and her cause was further aided in August, 1835, when Governor Mason was removed from office for his war like activities. General Brown then disbanded the Michigan troops and the "Toledo war" was over. While it was in progress Mich igan had begun its long struggle for statehood. In January, 1835, the territorial legislature had passed an act enabling the peo ple of Michigan to form a gov ernment and draw up a consti tution. By a census taken the Previous year there were some 87,000 residents in Michigan, 27, 9^0 "10re than the minimum of 60,000 demanded by congress. A constitutional convention was held on May 11 and not only was a constitution drawn up but an election of state officers, mem bers to the legislature and rep resentatives to congress was planned for the first Monday in October. Congress was unwilling to ac cept Michigan's bid for statehood because of the southern bound ary described in the state consti tution; because the election of 1836 was at hand and the ad ministration was afraid of losing the important blo?<of electoral votes from Ohio, Indiana and Il linois if the Michigan boundaries wer* accepted ; and because the admittance of Michigan would upset the equilibrium of pro and anti-slave states. At the state election former Governor Mason, more popular than ever because of his activity around Toledo, was elected gov ernor and during the first three days of November, 1835, a de facto state was organized. Mich igan s representative and her two senators were refused their seats in congress, although Senator Thomas Benton of Missouri championed the cause of the Wolverines in reporting the sen ate bill for admission. For more than a year the wordy battle and the parliamentary struggle had continued. All this time Michigan existed in the em barrassing position of being a government within the bounda ries of the United States and yet not a part of the Union. Victory at Last. Finally congress proposed a compromise. Ohio was to get the disputed seven-mile-wide ?trip and in return Michigan w-as given the upper peninsula, although the east end of the pe ninsula had always been Michi gan's. In this trade Michigan gained the Lake Superior copper district, although its true value was not known for some time. Arkansas having been admitted to the Union, the slave states no longer opposed Michigan's en trance and on January 16. 1837 the Wolverine state was fbrmallV T admitted into the Union. ? ? ? Earlier in this article reference was made to the importance of one man in the history of the ?tate which is celebrating its one hundredth birthday on Janu.? 16. Although Lewis Cass did not play any direct part in the stru* far statehood, bad it not been for hit earlier activities there might not have been a commonwealth of Michi gan, or, at least, its entrance into the sisterhood of states might have been delayed even longer. Cass was born in New Hamp shire in 1782 and at an early age joined his father in Ohio where the elder Cass, a major in the army, was commandant at Fort Hamilton. Young Cass stud ied law, began his practice at Zanesville in 1<}02 and at the age of twenty-five was elected to the Ohio volunteers, then a colonel in the regular army and as a brigadier - general fought under Harrison at the Battle of the Thames where the great Indian chief, Tecumseh, was killed. Cass' Long Service. A few weeks later General Cass was appointed governor of the Territory of Michigan and with the exception of a few oc casional absences he lived in that territory for the next 18 years. He was also ex officio superin tendent of Indian affairs and concerning his work in that ca pacity one biographer has de clared: "It is no exaggeration to say that to his exertions and influ ence is due the actual posses sion of the Old Northwest. He negotiated a score of treaties of great importance, traveled through the wilderness study ing how he could civilize the red man and how he might open up the vast western re gion to peaceful settlement. He started surveys, built roads and military works, lighthouses along the lake shore, arranged counties and townships, started the democratic machinery of self-government, and made the laws, which were codified and published and have since been known as the Cass code. The record of his management of the Indian affairs is one al most without parallel in the history of the United States." In 1831 Cass was appointed secretary of war in Jackson's cabinet and served there until 1836 when he was made ambas sador to France. He resigned in 1842 because he disapproved of the Webster - Ashburton treaty, which fixed the boundary line be tween Canada and Maine and which gave England the better military frontier. Returning to Michigan Cass was elected to the United States senate in 1845 and served until 1857, except for a brief period in 1848 while he was the Democratic nominee for the Presidency but was defeated by Gen. Zachary Taylor. In 1852 he lost the Democratic nomina tion to Franklin Pierce and in 1857 he was appointed secretary of state by President Buchanan, but resicned in 1800 because of Buchanan's refusal to strengthen the forts in Charleston harbor. Although Cass was sympathetic to the South until the time of secession he became one of Lin coln's staunch est supporters dur ing the Ciril war. He died in Detroit in 1866. IMPROVED J UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY I chool Lesson By REV. HAROLD L. LUNDULIST, Dean of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. ? Western Newspaper Union. Lesson for January 24 TWO MIRACLES OF MERC* lesson TEXT? John 5:2-?; ^ , J golden TEXT-The lame ' worka * do. bear wltnew o I roe. that the ratner reedln* Hun. TOPIC-A Bo, Who G.v. Awar n^^D.ATE AND SENIOR TOPIC The Significance o< Chriaf. Miraclea. The world is looking tor super men. those who can work cles " and thus aflord an easy solu tion' tortiie problem, of the home and of the nation. Men are ready to marvel at and follow in abject submission those who prom ise riches without labor ^ out toU, short cuts to comfort and satisfaction. Often they are con tent if they only have something over which they may "Wonderfull" whether it be use fUThe miracles of God, through his servants and the Lord Je^ Christ, are not mere marvels or They are not for the advancement of the cause of any man ?r fo personal glory. They are the mighty signs of an omnipotent God wrought tofSie good of men, for ^spir itual enUghtenment and as a test monv to the one true God The two miracles of our lesson present Jesus Christ as a Lord of mercy and grace? ready to meet the needs of men. Deep and real was his compassion as his heart yearned over needy humanity It is suggested that in the study and teaching of this lesson we vary our plan somewhat and present sev en seed thoughts found in the two portions assigned. It is that the context in both chapters be read with care. I. We Are Impotent Folk (John The words well describe not only those who lay helpless about the pool of Bethesda but they fit us as well. Oh, yes, we are strong, capa ble, fearless, but only until we meet some great elemental Pr?b*el"; Then we see that we "a great multitude of Impotent folk." The gently falling snow stopped the undefeated Napoleon. The silent fog can paralyze a na tion. Death, sickness? who can stay their hand? . ? , -v U. Despair Spells Defeat (v. 7). Long familiarity with his weak ness had bred in the man with the infirmity a sense of despair. Such an attitude invites defeat. It is unbecoming to a Christian. Let us not forget in the darkest hour to "keep looking up." XII. God Answers the Weakest Faith (v. 8)r Jesus evidently saw in the man s despairing reply a spark of faith. He who believes honors the name of God. We may need to cry I be lieve, help thou mine unbelief, but if we believe God will gloriously meet even our faltering faith. IV. God's Command Empowers (w. 8, 9). , Jesus told the man to "Rise? and walk"? the very thing he could not do for his thirty-eight years of life. But when the Son of God speaks to us he gives the power to respond to his command. V. Works Follow Faith (v. 9). The man arose, took up his bed, and wilked. Man's faith m God and God's response to faith lead to man's action on God s command. Too many are they in the church today who have never stood up and walked for God. VI. Look to God, Not at Tour Re sources (John 6:9). Humanlike, the disciples counted their money and found it was not enough to supply food for a multi tude. And then there was a boy, but he had only five barley crackers and two little fish. It almost sounds like a church-board deciding to close the cross-roads church and let the Devil have the boys and girls, because it costs too much to keep up the work. God help us to trust and go on for him. Little is much when God is in it. VII. Followers for Bread Not Wanted (v. 15). Those who follow Christ because of business advantage and social prestige know nothing of what it means to be a Christian. He is not a bread - making king; he is the bread of life. Essence of Prayer Prayer in its essence is not so much the expression of our desire for things at all as of our desire for God Himself. Discourtesy Discourtesy occasions not merely suffering, but sin; and Christian courtesy is a "means of grace" to all who have the happiness to re ceive it. ? R. W. Dale. The Day's Work Let us make haste to live. Tot every day is ? new life to a wise man.? Seneca. Grterteftsr Waited Ttasa He who knows most, grieves moat lor wasted time.? Dante. Offers New Opportunities W.:y THE modern woman who saws 1 is really an enviable person. She has at her finger-tips an end less array of fashions from which to choose for her own and her daughters' wardrobes. Today's trio affords her new opportunities in several size ranges; in fact, there's something here for the mature figure, size 42, right on down to the tiny tot who just manages to fill "age 4." Pattern 1987 ? This diminutive frock is for Miss Four - To Twelve. Its easy lines, flaring skirt, and pretty sleeves are per haps second only to its thru'-the machine-aptness, so far as the woman who sews is concerned. But this is all too obvious to mention. Better cut this pattern twice for all 'round practical rea sons. It's intriguing in taffeta? a winner in gingham and linen. It comes in sizes 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 years. Size 6 requires 1% yards of 39 inch material plus % yard contrasting. Pattern 1211 ? It is a smart frock like this that will turn the most immune young lady into an ardent seamstress almost over night. And rightly so, for it's plain to see how becoming are its prin cess lines, how flattering the wide shoulders and slim waist, yes, and how spicy the swing skirt. A pretty and colorful motif can be had in the use of velvet for the buttons and belt. Mono tone broadcloth, black or royal blue, with the collar and cuffs of white linen, is a startlingly chic material for this model. It is available in sizes 12 to 20 (30 to 40 bust). Size 14 requires 2% yards of 54 inch fabric plus % yard of 39 inch contrasting. Pattern 1210 ? Which would you have, Madam, an artistic smock or a glamorous house coat? This pattern allows you to make this Ask Me Another # A General Quiz ? Ben Syndicate. ? WNU Serrice. 1. Into what stream lid Achillea' mother plunge him? 2. What was meant by an "India man"? 3. Of what joint is the patella a part? 4. What is a biconvex lens? 5. What is a dormant partner? 6. Where is Dartmoor prison? 7. What country was sometimes referred to as the "Celestial Empire"? 8. What was a satrap? 9. Which is the "Bayou State"? 10. In what Dickens novel doea "Fagin" appear? 11. Who wrote "Miss Pinker ton"? 12. What ia a ship's log? Answers 1. The Styx. 2. A large ship in the Indian trade. 2. The knee. 4. One rounded on both a idea. 5. One who auppliea capital but takes no part in managing busi ness. f. In Devonshire. 7. China. ?. A military governor. 9. Mississippi. 10. "Oliver Twtot" U. Ma ry Roberta RineharL Z IS. Its daily record. interesting choice and it has what you'll need to make either of the models illustrated here. The house coat has become woman kind's most desired "at home" attire; so rather than be among the minority, why not turn your talents to this princess model ? you'll have it complete in a mere few hours and think of the count less days it will stand you in good stead as a really good look ing wardrobe asset. It is designed in sizes 14 to 20 (32 to 42 bust). Size 16 (in full length) requires 5% yards of 39 inch material plus 3V? yards of bias piping and % yard contrasting material for pocket. Send your order to The Sew ing Circle Pattern Dept., 247 W. Forty - third street, New York, N. Y. Price of patterns, IS cents (in coins) each. e Bell Syndicate. ? WNU Service. DON'T RUB YOUR EYES Robbing your eye* grinds invisible particle* of dust and dirt risht into the delicate rtwii. tasking the irritation just that much worse. A much better way, as thousands have discovered, it to use a little Murine in each eye? night and morning* Murine may be depended an to re lieve eye irritation because it is a reliable eye preparation containing 7 active ingredients of known value in caring far the eyes. In use far 40 years. Ask for Murine at your drug store. Each Soul a Universe Every soul is a universe in it self; and no two souls are alike. A Three Days' Cough Is Your Danger Signal No matter how many medicines you have tried for your cough, chest cold or bronchial Irritation, you can get relief now with Creomulslon. Serious trouble may be brewing and you cannot afford to take a chance ?with anything less than Creomul slon, which goes right to the seat of the trouble to aid nature to soothe and heal the Inflamed mem branes as the germ-laden phlegm Is loosened and expelled. Even If other remedies have failed, dont be discouraged, your druggist Is authorized to guarantee Creomulslon and to refund your money If you an not satisfied with results from the very first bottle. Get Creomulslon tight now. (AdvJ A FARMER ROY ANE of ths best known V-/ medical men (a lbs U. S. was tbe late Dr. ft. V. Pierca of Buffalo, N. Y., who was bom on ft farm in Pa. Dr. Pierce's Favorite Prescription has for nearly 70 helping heat flashes. By 1 - thta topic help, to apbaOd 0*1 Km Irani*. No a*, tal?, 50c, 1 Granulated EgcHds, Sties, Inflamed Eyes relieved wnnonc single gppiwrfvw * ROMAN EYE BALSAM bu et_ K.T. atr. HOIKING DISTRESS ?ado* to acid, apart atamack. Milawm mien (the orif U) quickly ntm wad ttanach sad |in Mcaaq r diaiiaatiaa. Each wafer *?!?! L30c,lfcfc?Qc.