The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-05-03

crowds OF the city during The past tLrSe Gays
that can understand how John felt when he
was packed ready for shipment | am sure
that George Washington, nor any of his COM
patriots, never went through so much tumut
and excitement to join the first Inauguration
as have endured for the pupose of taking my
part in the celebration of its first centennial
100 years thereafter. But here l stand before
you, plain Georgia cracker, with not
name, except an "O'' which I have
lost during the evolution of time. You will
understand therefore, gentlemen the earnest
ness with which desire to leave these scenes of
excitement and hustle to get away to my be-
| loved and now doubly dear southern home. But
what southerner could overlook an invitation
| from this society? You are my people, and to
me your very wish is law. My heart is filled to
Overlooking tonight with pride and happiness,
and look upon many familiar faces that
and wrecked fields of Georgia shortly
! after the war to come TO the metropo-
lis of the north and cross swords in
| the arena Of commerce with its greatest war
| riors. They asked no favors and received none;
| but began the battle for a new beginning, which
! they have won so successfully and honorably.
am glad that you have at last built for your
| self permanent home, ard that have had the
| honor and opportunity of being present at its
dedication and to help you consecrate
| eloquence, sumptuous appointments, and
| better than all, here will be established as your
| household god forever that love of country, of
| women and liberty that can never perish.
| wish | could quit right here. [Cres Of Don't.
To follow my illustrous friend Depew is like a
rush light to hurry along in the path of
meteor, am glad that he got back from the
war. never knew before what, it
| was that kept us from whipping them earlier
| l am glad that he came out of the service able
| to express the sentiments of an old friend of
| mine. well | killed as many of them as they
| did of me-" But gentlemen, there is one thing
| that ] must say that is appropriate TO this
occasion, and that is, dmpressively), Il love
| this country. LGreat Applause was taught
| to love 1t by my father, though he gave his life
| to Georgia when she asked it at his hands. L
love it because it is my country, and because it
! stands proudly and glOriously in the
| light while other nations are crouching
| and cropping in the dark | love it
| because my state stood by when the
| flag took on its fifth star and then entered TO
I help defend the newly born republic, and that
| now, 100 years afterward, she stands ready to
| give better and more united support than she
| gave when she was one of but five states As
much as l revered this government, l
have never appreciated its matchless
| beauty as have during the past
! three days rode with my son once-a long
| while ago, when we were poor in the south
| from Washington to New York. and while the
I little fellow was curled up in my arms he said:
| Papa, what do you want me to do when get
! to be man?' l said: My son, want you to
| give your life to the service of your country
| until Georgia blossoms as Pennsylvania does TO-
| day"
Mr. Grady then considered the young
| men of the south, whom, he said, were
winning golden opinions from all sorts of
people by the energetic and business-like
| way in which they were regenerating
affairs in the south and making it new
south, of which any country would be
| proud.
l must now conclude, as I have to catch
| late train tonight for home. ! envy you the
| pleasure You are to enjoy in listening to sen
! timent from the distinguished southern gov
| ernorS who are with us.
GOV. GORDON'S SPEECH.
~ ~ E IL
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN-Iu the few
| moments allotted to me, it is impossible to
respond in fitting terms to the sentiment just
! proposed. can do nothing more than to ex-
! press my thanks to my eloquent friend for the
unmerited tribute paid me, and suggest one or
| two thoughts evoked by the centennial
| occasion that cOnveues through their
ecutiveS the states of the union. GeOrgia's posi-
! tiOn in this ssterhood of states is both interest
| ing and unique. she was the youngest of the thr
| teen original colonies which formed the union.
! She is therefore an hOnored link in the family
| circle between the old and new commemorative
| of the republic Although for a brief period that
! link was severed, yet her love for her sisters
and for the birthright OF freedom which all in
| herited has survived the separation. Georgia
| and her southern sisters have never lost for
| day an hour their devotion and loyalty to
! republican government and constitutional free
| DOM which had united all in a common effort
| and aspiration hundred years ago. Like an
| electric current, which will leap across break
! in the wire and follow its course, SO the spirit
! OF lfb5 thrilled through al JIlo STATES. even
| during the period OF separation and of war.
PROUD MEMORIES.
Georgia's heart at this hour throbs with the
same proud memories that pulsate in the heart
| of New York, and she rejOices that this great
| state, Whose glorious history is the common
heritage of ali, and whose hospitality is as
! boundless as the great ocean which washes her
shores, was by historical right the leader in this
grand centennial ho movement owe mt. Ge8Tgas
| firIner in the future concord of the whole
| American people because of the cOmmemora-
| ton Of the great event which has just convened
| the States aud people in this American m6tyop-
| oils. VIII these hopes prove illusVe and is this
! confidence, based uppn foundation of sand to
| be swept away IN cyclone OF passion at the
! next Presidential electlony | trust not trust
| that the men who were here and the
| people who we're at home all over this
| country will find their patriotism deepened
| and broadened by the contemplation OF the
| great event which we have just celebrated.
| pity the man whose spirit at a time like this
! does not thrill and reYel in the thought that
| this is his country. All his country, Georgia
| as well as New York South Carolina as we'll as
| Massachusetts, Maine and California and Texas,
| all all his country and their people his
| kindred as well as his countrymeu.
pity the man who. looking back over the
| century, fails to have his spirit glow with pride
| as he studies every chapter Of its history, EN-
| bracing every section OF ms country; even that
| chapter though written in blood, from 1861 20
| 1865 Tutter great truth. and one which the
future will yet make plain to the apprehension
Of pOSterty, that through all the Dust ana
smoke Of that bitter sectional conflict through
all the tears and blood that were sned, through
| all the passions that were evoked, and all the
woes that were endured, the eye that is clear
and the mind that is just, can plainly discern
an unfalterng love OF liberty, which our father
| Jointly achieved. and an undated devotion 10
the constitutional republic which they ntly
| established. But l have been begued b. the
thoughts which crowd upon me into the con
| sumption of too much OF your time,
| and conclude with single
| remark If / may be permitted a
! figure drawn from the statue Of liberty, whose
uplifted fame lights your incomparabe harbor'
| would say that upon this centennial occasion
we should build political light house grounded
on the rock Of the constitution, cemented Ia
sectional fellowship and mutual confidence To
| throw its light over land and sea that we may
avoid the reefs upon which the happiness Of
peoples aud the stability OF nations are
! starnded wrecked and lost political light
| house whose quenchless flame shall not only
serve to guide the American people to All
politica truth, and the true basis for real unity,
| but shall also guide the struggling peoples OF
| the world In their onward march TO freedom.
At THE WHITE HOUSE.