Governor Perdue snubs Western NC yet again -- Remember the State of Franklin

An interesting article from the Asheville Citizen Times entitled Perdue’s snub of Smokies ceremony is a snub of WNC.

On Friday the Great Smoky Mountains National Park kicks off its 75th anniversary events with a gathering of more than 200 dignitaries, elected officials and community representatives at an event called "the Governors’ Proclamation Ceremony at Clingmans Dome."

And what will be missing from this Governors’ Proclamation Ceremony? Why, North Carolina’s Governor. Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen will attend. County managers, commissioners, mayors and aldermen from 10 counties and 13 cities on both sides of the border will attend. But no Bev Perdue.

Here are a couple quotes from the article. "Gov. Beverly Perdue probably didn’t set out to give Western North Carolina a slap in the face Wednesday. But we know a slap in the face when we see one, and this sure qualifies."

"Chrissy Pearson, Perdue’s spokeswoman, told a Citizen-Times reporter, “The governor was invited and did give serous consideration but given the length of the trip and the potential travel cost involved she declined. It is so far out of the way and we are trying to cut back on travel."

The 75th Anniversary of one of the most treasured National Parks in this nation and this woman doesn't even show up to commemorate one of our state's most valuable natural assets. Where are her priorities? If she can hop-scotch up to Washington several times over the last few months to kiss up and play party politics with the Washington elite, then she can make the drive to western North Carolina. She is the highest ranking official in this State and she should represent all of the regions of North Carolina with pride, not as an afterthought. Why should we respect Raleigh, when they have shown no respect to us?

One of the sites that I frequent mentioned the subject of Raleigh's frequent snubs of Western North Carolina. This person mentioned that this has historically happened since the days of the American Revolution and then brought up the subject of the State of Franklin.

(From Wikipedia) The State of Franklin was an autonomous, secessionist United States territory created, not long after the end of the American Revolution, from territory that later was ceded by North Carolina to the federal government. Franklin's territory later became part of the state of Tennessee. Franklin was never officially admitted into the Union of the United States and existed for only four years.

The spirit of the American Revolution was still very much a part of the frontier world view, and increasing dissatisfaction with the government of North Carolina by citizens in the territory west of the Alleghenies led to calls for the establishment of a separate state. On August 23, 1784, delegates from the North Carolina counties of Washington (that at the time included present day Carter County), Sullivan, Spencer (now Hawkins) and Greene — all counties in present-day Tennessee — convened in the town of Jonesborough and declared the lands independent of North Carolina.

On May 16, 1785, a delegation from these counties submitted a petition for statehood to the United States Congress. Seven states voted to admit the tiny state under the proposed name Frankland. Though a majority, the number of states voting in favor fell short of the two-thirds majority required to admit a territory to statehood under the Articles of Confederation. In an attempt to curry favor for their cause, leaders changed the name to "Franklin" after Benjamin Franklin, and even initiated a correspondence with the patriot to sway him to support them. Franklin politely refused.

As of 1790, the government of the State of Franklin had collapsed entirely and the territory was firmly back under the control of North Carolina. Sevier was elected to the North Carolina legislature to represent the region. Soon thereafter, the state once again ceded the area that would soon become Tennessee to the national government to form the Southwest Territory. John Sevier became Tennessee's first governor, and John Tipton signed the Tennessee Constitution as the representative from Washington County.

The Hound does not tell you this story to promote or condone the secession of Western North Carolina from Raleigh and its interests. I only relate this to you, because many are ignorant of the subject and the origins of what was to become the State of Tennessee. Much of what happened 220 years ago is happening now.

I love my home state and its history. I don't want us to have to begin anew. Many have witnessed that State representatives in Raleigh, whether from the executive or legislative branch, don't give the Western 1/3 of the state its just due. We have always contributed mightily to the State's assets, but we have not received in return the consideration for what we have given. It is time for Western North Carolina leaders to band together in a show of force and make Raleigh take notice. It is my hope that Raleigh end this neglect. If Raleigh chooses to repeat history by continuing to ignore us, then I think no option should be taken off of the table.