The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-26
TOAST WAS GEORGIA."
Praises of His State Sung by MIR.
Richard NJ. Charlton.

Richard NJ. Charlton.
Mr.. Richard NJ. Charlton was intro
duced by the POSTMASTER, Col. MeIdrim,
as the first speaker. in his happy manner.
From none, with a better grace, the pres
ident said, could response to the toast,
Georgia. than by one of the name of
Charlton.
MIR. President and Gentlemen of the
University Club:
There could be no toast to which l
would respond with more pleasure and
pride than that of my native state" said
Mr.. Charlton. NOR one of which l real
ize the mere picturing in words is SO in
adequate in. the justice that it merits. To
glory in deeds that stand upon the i'm
perishable. pedestal of fame and effulse
their glittering rays as does the setting
sun behind a cavlacade of ominous Clouds
thrills the hearts and minds of all man
kind, from the humblest peasant to the
proudest potentate, and that feeling
which has become inherent in mans ma
ture and is instilled into his soul with
the very breath of life, must needs re-
main there to live in thought and deed
and not in outward expression.
The grandest achievements have been
attained by that people whose love of
country has proved the greatest Rome
In its eminence, exemplifed this trait of
reverence and affection to such an ex-
tent that the heralding of ones citizen
ship was the safeguard against insult and
bodily harm. Unrestricted by the dictates
of one ruler, the thought of the people
in regard to law and regulation found its
ready expression through the contact of
one man with another in shaping the af-
fairs of their country, and ultimately es-
tablished the only form of government
whose principles insure a future of well
fare and enlightenment, and which hands
down to posterity traditions that glow
alike with fame and honor. Democracy,
in its simplest form, breeds a content
ment that needs no qualification. and Gre
ates force which neither the petty con-
tentions of life. nor the bitter strfes of
demigods can rend asunder, and our
hearts should abound with thankfulnsss
that fate has imposed upon us such a
form of government. Right and justice,
equality and perfect freedom, are linked
together into one indissoluble band. The
weakness and mistakes of rule become en-
quilted in the brightness of it's renown,
and man is no longer the base, servile
creature of ancient eras, but a sovereign
being unto himself and his home
Time in its ceaseless course has
brought hardship and trials alike to our
sovereign state. Visited by tyranny and
oppression the toll of half a century had
but a useless end and all was lost save
honor. But those who had in years past
built her fame again raised her up to oc-
cupy her eminent place among the peo-
pie of the world. Silently through the
years of peace she crept carrying in her
influence the teachings of her forefath-
ers, showing to all the world, that pa
tience and industry are the requisites of
tranquility. The land became blessed with
riches, her people were content and
thrifty, her natural resources were as vet
unbounded. The hand of fortune seemed
to rest firmly upon her soil. But fate.
which in its mighty sway knows neither
weak nor strong, comes with its madden
ing crush and fortune fades away. Fields
that had once been the evidence OF pros
perity become the devastation of the mon
ster of war; homes that served TO shelter
her sons found their resting place amid
the fire and ashes of marauders; men
whose names had resounded in triumphant
exultaton in praise of her name and her
deeds lie dead in defense of her honor
The nobility Of her nature Is stamped be-
meath the feet Of unjust aggressions and
the might of arms.
"Emaciated and impoverished she has
emerged into the browning era Of her his
tory. The strong hand OF labor has
brought UeT from lne ueptns OF despair
20 @ condition of plenty and success. Flu
ture years will greet her with new
achievements OF her illustrious sons whose
names shall stand forth In proud array
among the people Of another age
IN art and religion, Ia commerce,
trade, aud profession, In liters-
ture ana science. the Georgian stands be-
fore mankind IN an imperishable light lie
has overcome the hardships and trials
Of . weak ana exhausted colony, the mis-
fortunes Of continued strife. and has hand
81 down 10 future times . home for the
brave, the friend.srf, eBd Oppressed. a
land - riches, sanctuary ~ religion
. race u pure. warm and generous heartf.
~ hss Breatbed around bis head . halo
81 honor, enlightenment nnd civilization
broYe ln time ~ var honorable in time
u pesoe Mey De name 80 down info
history Win me memoTglif heroes ~
time. ena may fhs Eiory ~ thc bone ~
hlf adoption neFsF faoe nor hfr history
lconiisass - Th,ge Psssl