Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-10-17
THE sEsoUI CENTENNIAL.
Row IL should be Cetebrated-A
SuggestIOn as 90 the Programme.

The interest that has been aroused in the
proposed celebration OF the Sesqui Centen-
NAL anniversary of the founding of the
city Of Savannah, would indicate that the
programme decided upon can be success
fully and creditsblY carried out. The event
is one that should be commemorated, and
in style commensurate with the reputation
and commercial importance Of Savannah.
The readers of the MORNING NEWS were
enlightened yesterday as to the grand man
ner in which our people fifty years ago
celebrated the centenary, and It is natu-
raj that our pride should be stimulated to
render the approaching celebration of the
15O.h anniversary an occasion long to be
remembered.
The arrangement of q programme for the
celebration is the most important matter to
be considered. aud upon its sttractiyeness
will depend IN a great measure the success
of the demonstration. The anniversary
occurs at a time when Savannah is peculiarly
pleasant to visit, and with the proper effort
exerted in securing excursion rates and the
usual reductions by the hotels, there is no
doubt an immense crowd Of visitors would
be attracted hitner, and necessarily the en-
tire business of the city would be benefited.
We therefore should prepare programme
and carry it out in all fits details, which will
be worthy our people and the occasion.
We would suggest that, as the celebration
is to commemorate the founding of Savan-
nah by Oglethorpe, the principal feature
should be q representation Of the landing Of
Oglethorpe and his reception by TOmichichi
and the Indians. This could be readily
carried out by an organic alton of two bodies,
and we have no doubt that volunteers for
the purpose could be obtained without
In port could be chartered for
the party representing General Oglethorpe
and the emigrants, and starting from. say,
the lower end of the whsrves Of the Savan-
nah, Florida and Western Railway. IN tow
OF q steam tug, so placed as to be out OF view
of the people along the line OF the bluff, pro
coed to the foot of West Broad street, and
moor. On this bluff might be
pitched q few tents, as wigwams,
| designating the Indian settlement, and
the body representing the Indians under
TOmichichi there coDgregated to receive
| Oglethorpe and his party and welcome
them to the shores Of Georgia. The special
| ceremonies attendant on the landing can
be simplifed as may be deemed advisable.
After the landing and reception, Oglethorpe
and his party could be formed in
move from the hill to Bay street,
where should be assembled the
military of Savannah and visiting compa-
mics, civic societies, headed by the Geor-
gia Historical Society, secret societies, fire
department, police department, and trades
unions. As soon as the landing Of Ogle-
/ thorpe is effected, salute of one hundred
and fifty guns should be fired by the Chat
| ham Artillery from the top OF the bluff.
The general procession could be formed in
rear Of Oglethorpe with his party and
| the Indians, and move on up
| Bay street to Bull, thence TO
Wright sqnare, opposite the court house,
where the general ceremonies could take
place. A commOdlous platform could be
constructed for the purpose, to be occupied
| by the Georgia Historical Society, the city,
county and Federal authorities, and officers
| OF the different societies. The exercises,
consisting of music, an address and other
features, could then follow. The arrival of
the party at the square might be signalized
by general ringing OF all the
church bells in the city. On the
Oglethorpe, the shipping in port could be
decorated, and there might be such other
| demonstration as the arrangement OF the
programme would suggest.
There are necessarily many details in the
carrying out of this plan, which cannot be
elaborated in the scope Of a newspaper
article but which can be intelligently dis
cussed and decided upon by the commit
tees who will have charge Of the celebration.
We throw out the above suggestions for
their consideration, and would further re-
mark that a fitting finale to the commemo
ration might be given in 8 grand ball at Ms
sonic Temple, hops at the hotels, and sigene-
raj display of the electric light.
There is no time to be lost, and we trust
that there will be the energy and determi-
nation exercised to render this celebration q
magnificent success and to devise and carry
out an attractive programme.