Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-27
COUNTRY LIFE IN GEORGIA.
The Lecture by Col. Richard Malcolm
Johnston Last Night.

The lecture by Col. Richard Malcolm
Johnston on Country Life in Georgia
Fifty Years Ago" delivered in the Catho-
lie Library Hall last night, was attended
bv a fair audience and listened to with
the closest attention. The lecturer is
we'll known in Savannah as an able and
eloquent speaker. Hewas attended upon
the stage by Mayor Lester, General
A. r. Lawton. Mr.. y. f. Thompson, n.
G Collier. ESQ. VI. A. O'Byrne, Esq, ana
others.
In introducing the speaker Mr.. O'Byrne
acknowledged the honor conferred upon
him of presenting to the audience lee
turer so distinguished and a writer so
well-known and hOnOred IN Georgia and
throughout the entire South.
Colonel Johnston was received with APP
blause. He began with reference TO
Savannah and her distance from Central
Georgia as regarded by the people fifty
wears ago. and pictured the fears with
which they left their quiet country homes
and came down to the City by the sea,
full of apprehenslOns for their safety IN
its crowded streets and thOroughfares.
He drew before the audience the
life of the country people
and their existence; how the
impassabilitv of other roads, except at
certain seasons of the year, kept them
from getting outside of their own circles.
They were a remote people. savannah
was the eve of the State and its
ueODIe were her people. The
names of Berrien and Owens and Lloyd
and Gordon were familiar and proud en-
rOllments upon the pages OF her history
and they belonged not TO savannah alone,
Al -l.r.Hss mon
whatever place or State Georgian IS
found he proudly points to what savannah
was i'm the past, is now, and Will be IN the
future.
Referring to the old days he loved their
memory. His acquaintance with the
Deculiarities of the people had been made
in the old field schools. in the practice OF
the law in several counties of the state.
Thus he had learned to know and love a
manhood remarkable not alone for its
drOIIery. but also for its brave and gener-
Gus qualities. Though the country people
of Georgia fifty years ago were not learn
ed i'm books, they had that which is better
than bOOks-cOurage, honor and kindness.
In their dealings and their intercourse
with their fellow men he had never known
their equals. Their cOrdiallty was re-
markable. The wealthy were never over
bearing or humiliating in their condo
tentiOn paid to mere wealth as claim to
respect and distinction. If ever there was
a high-minded freeman he was the old
time white man in Georgia. The great
est men the State has produced not
only come from the people, but they
loved the people, relied on the people and
elOried in the people. SO thoroughly were
they identified with the people that they
adopted their idiOms and Yernacular, and
vsrha nj
distinguished GeOrgians were thought
to be uueducated, but those who
thought them so one day were surprised
the next to hear them speak with an elo-
quence that HOrtensius, Anthony or
Cicero could not surpass.
Referring to the humorous side OF GeOr-
gia life. Colonel Johnston quoted from
that well-knOwn humOrist, William Arp,
whom he called a historian, and his
torian of the past. because he dwelt more
upon the past than the present-a genuine
son of the cOuntry-faithful and tilial and
true. picturing his rambles among the
woods and his beautiful pastOrals, and
having him a tribute in these words:
Long life to William Arp: As he grows
older i'm years may he grow younger IN
heart.
After a happy description of Bill Apps
Stvle and tastes. Colonel Johnston asked
Describing the old plantation negro with
beautiful fidelity, said he, IF there was
ever a time to save that figure and to pre-
serve his quaint lore it Is now, and If
ever there was a rhapsOdlst mt for the
work il is uncle Remus.' For this work
he has proven himself so far the tittest
that he NAV he said to be the only one
who has helped in it. The preservation
Of this poetic lore has been marvellous,
and can but think it is the most valua-
BILE contribution vet made to Southern lit
erature. 1t will last as long as survives
any interest in the people to whom 1t
relates"
The lecture was concluded with the
reading of one of Col. JOhnstOn's famous
sketches, "HOw Bill Williams Took the
Responsibility" which was received with
frequent applause. The lecture was
vivid and life-like picture of the time that
is fast drifting into legend and story. In
preserving it in history Col. Johnston has
done an honorable work.