Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-04-02

The Sesqui- Centennial Committee Closes
Its Reconsideration

Ten. Henry X. JackSOD, GEtsluehuf 4" 'NO
chair, and Col. c. W. Anderson acting as
Secretary.
The report of Colonel c. III. Olmstead,
the Treasurer, was received, showing tnat
the contributions amounted 10 SI'2lS %,
and that there was a balance on mana Oh
SO and one bill amounting TO 81 90 still
nnnaid- The report had been previously
examined by the Executive committee
and found correct.
On motion, the report was received, and
further that the unpaid bill be settled ana
the balance then on hand be turned over
to the Military Committee.
Mr.. W. 5. Bogart offered series OF
resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted as follows:
The General Committee, who organized
the Sesqui-Centennial celebration, and
carried through so successfully Its pur-
nose. beg leave in closing its duties, TO
offer the following preamble and resolu-
tiOns. to wit:
The close of the late Sesqui-Centennial
anniversary of the foundation OF our city
iustifies the General Committee IN con-
graduating the citizens of Savannah and
the people of Georgia on the success OF
this suspicious celebration. Never IN the
history of our city has so important an
event been cOmmemOrated, nor such IN
teresting ceremonies been held. Orlglhat-
ING in the modest desire Of the georgia
Historical Society to give additional at
traction to the cOmmemOratlon OF us own
44th anniversary, this proposed cele-
bratiOn soon assumed, by the klh9lH ". Me Il
come of our people and the good VIII OF
Georgians everywhere, proportions lar
bevond its design. The lapse OF centu-
rv and half since OglethOrpe brought
his cOlonists hither and founded on this
bluff the first white settlement within the
limits of Georgia, presented us the reason
and the motive, while the general enthu-
siasm of our citizens in the city and state
furnished us the means of a grand cele-
bratiOn. whose recOllectiOns VIII long re-
main in memory.
Impelled by a reverence for the past
and bv a desire to hallow the memory OF
the noble hero who led the forefathers
from dependence at home to prosperity
abroad. the people of Savannah and of the
State have laid aside their labors and
gathered around the hearthst0ne OF the
old home. A common impulse OF graft
tude and a hearty cooperation OF all
classes in working for one object, have
resulted in a celebration that has revived
the old feeling of State pride and
has turned every heart to the time
and place of our colonial birth. With
patriotic devotion a vast multitude
assembled from city, town ana hamlet,
met around the old altar and performed
thereon their rites of affection. This great
assemblage has now dispersed, its menu
bers returning to their several homes bet
fer acquainted with each others merits
and feeling a warmer interest in each
other s.welfare.
The minor circumstances of the Occa-
sion added no little to the pleasure of the
festivities. Favorable weather for the
two DAYS. the vast crowd of visitors, and
the harmonious spirit that peryaded
them. the unusual quiet and good order
of the city. the presence OF so many prOml-
nent GeOrgians and visitors from other
States. the coming and stay here for a
week of our lamented Governor, the en-
thusiasm that welcomed our guests and
provided for their comfort. and the gen.
eral interest shown by our peOple-these
and similar circumstances lent all posi-
BILE satisfaction to what was i'll itself a
grand success.
The General Committee. therefore, high
" gPatIfied with this celebration of so i'm
pOrtant an event as the foundation Of
Georgia, would be wanting to itself and
ungrateful to its fellow-citizens who CO.
operated so literally in the good work, if
they failed to recognize this success or to
congratulate the citizens of Savannah on
what they believe will be its happy re-
suits. And as expressive of their feelings
they offer the following resolutions Tor
unanimous acceptance:
ResOIced, l. That this General Commit
tee deeply touched by the sad intelligence
that so soon followed his departure, de-
sire to express the satisfaction we felt
in the early interest shown in this cele-
bratiOn by His EXcellency Alexander ID,
Stephens. our late Governor, in his prompt
compliance with the committees request
to be the orator, and in his readiness,
though i'm a feeble state Of health, to come
to this Sesqui-Centennial Anniversary, to
fulfill that duty. His grafton, the last
public words of the gifted orator, COM
memOrates the principles of charity and
religion that underlie the formation of our
State and that characterized the
life of her great founder. Alasl that
our hearts are SO soon saddened
after these festivities. Scarce has their
echo died upon our ears when they are
filled with the wall of sorrow, that the
distinguished orator, who came, at our
call, to voice the expression of all hearts
and to give dignity and interest to this
grand occasion, has yielded to the sum-
mons Of death. There mingles with the
sweet memories of this celebration, spoil
ing the pleasure they else would yield us,
the deep sorrow alike of Savannah and of
Georgia at the death Of him whom we so
much admired and loved.
ReSOIred, ,. That the beautiful ode writ
ten for this occasion by Paul ii. Hayne,
Esq. the representative poet Of the South
in itself work Of equal genius and art
has adorned the great event we celebrate,
and has perpetuated its memory in words
and thoughts that will never die. While
we feel gratified at his presence with us =,
we regret that his feeble health forbade
further participation in the festivities Of
the day.
Res0lUed, 3, That we congratulate our
citizens that there came hither represent
tives of sister States to honor with us our
Sesqui-Centennial anniversary; in partic-
ular the delegations sent by the Govern
ors of Maryland and Rhode Island, whose
fraternal greetings were so gladly well
coined.
ResOlued, 4, That we feel a worthy pride
in the grand military display that greeted
our people and our visitors on the 18th
inst, made up mostly of our own citizen
sOldiers-alWa the boast of savannah
but supplemented by the best companies
of our own State and of Carolina and
Florida; and that the success of this fms
parade is mainly due to the skill and eX-
ecutive ability of the Grand Marshal, Col.
Clifford W. Anderson, and his efficient
staff of aides. At no other time, perhaps,
has our city witnessed so grand a parade,
certainly never with so much enthusiasm.
ReSOlUed, ,, That the civic corporations
of this city, and its merchants, mechanics
and artisans who contributed to the grand
trades procession, are to be highly COM
mended for their spirit, enterprise and
liberality, which, while making SO hand
some show. exhibited the number, the va
riety and perfection of the industrial in
terests of Savannah, in such an imposing
manner as 10 surprise even our own citi-
Zens.
ResOlred, 6, That the presence at this
anniversary of GeOrgia's and Sayannah's
birthday of so many of the State officials,
so many members of the State Legislature
and so many prominent citizens of the
State-at-large, the generous public spirit
with which they were welcomed, and the
pleasure which they themselves received,
are also subjects of cOngratulatiOn, and
tokens of a warm feeling of sympathy and
a broader sentiment Of State pride that we
trust shall hereafterbring all parts OF the
State into the closest relations OfharmOny
and good Will.
ResOlped, Z. That this General Commit
tee cannot overlook the handsome BAN
quets given by the City Council and the
Ocean Steamship Company to the dele
gates OF sister States and to the Legisla-
ture of Georgia on scale SO cordial aud
so liberal as to give the highest gratifica-
ton, and to elicit their warmest express
sion of thanks.
ResGlred further, s, That beyond these
special subjects OF satisfaction, the Gen.
eral Committee feel that in the satisfacto-
~ result Of this celebration-tO which all
contributed and none came shOrt-they
congratulate themselves and the cOmmQ-
nity on the undertaking; and they feel
well assured that, aside from a sentiment
of pride In the memories of the past, there
are to come business and social advan-