The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-14

be one of the most interesting meetings
that We have ever had.
After a period of over one hundred
years we have been aroused to the
knowledge that there reposed in Sa-
vannah the body of a great Revolu-
tionary hero. second only TO Washing
ton in generalship and in fame. We
have been aroused to the knowledge
that We were possessed OF an honor
which Rhode Island would be proud TO
claim. Born on her soil: married to
the niece of the Governor: chosen as
a member of her Legislature in
ITO; the first to establish a pub
lie school at Coventry where he resid-
ed; associated as he is with all the
political and educational interests of
his native state; no wonder is IL that
Rhode Island claims the body of Gen.
Nathaniel Greene. But he is a Geor-
gian by adoption, one whom we de-
light to honor and revere and are most
proud to claim.
zone hundred years have passed
away. but the memory of his service
to Georgia during the dark DAYS of
the Revolutionary period will never
fade away. Our state, together with
the Carolinas, in deep gratitude for his
valor and defense, gave to him valu-
able grants of land. He preferred to
to-day he is ours-and ours forever.
Rhode Island gave this hero to the
world, and we'll may she feel proud of
the gift, but Gen. Greene gave himself
to Georgia, and we are the rightful
guardians of his name, and
his fame. Gen. Greene's best
biography Is written from his
career in the South. He came
here under the most serious difficult
tee II
ped, poorly fed and poorly paid He
proved equal to the situation and had
the energy and determination to COM
bat 1t. We have but to turn to history
to Learn of his military genius his in
tellectual power, which proved him to
be one of the greatest strategists of
Revolutionary times We have but to
read of his sacrifices in behalf of his
suffering army and his shattered for
tunes, to make us realize that we are
paying a debt of gratitude to-day Par
ticularly is this occasion of deep inter-
est and pride to me, and l rejoice, in
that it has given me the opportunity
of doing honor to the hero under
whom both of my paternal ancestors
had the privilege to serve.
This, 1 repeat, is one of the most
important occasions that has ever call
ed us together. Interesting as will be
the reinterment of Gen. Nathaniel
Greene's remains, no less interesting
| will be the ceremonies at Jasper
Spring. That beautiful marble basin,
| erected by the Lachlan Mcintosh
Chapter of the Daughters of the Amer
lean Revolution, will tell
| for years to come the
dauntless courage of Sergt. Jasper.
and that other brave soldier, Sergt.
Newton, who, beside this spring, res
| cued the American prisoners from their
| British captors, and added another
page to the glorious record of Amer-
can independence. This marble basin
erected by those loyal daughters, under
a patriotic inspiration, will catch the
stream of sparkling water whose rip
| ping music will sing their praises to
| generations yet unborn. Do we not
realize, Daughters of the American
Revolution, the Importance of this oc-
casion?
Il feel that we can do nothing bet
/ ter than renew our vows to our state
reconsecrate ourselves to our work and
pledge ourselves anew to our royal
state regent, whom We have followed
these years with enthusiasm and trust
She has led us in patriotic thought and
endeavor, and whatever may be said
of any part of our body. of nearly 0OC
women, who labored under her guild.
| ance naught can be said of her, oul
unselfish leader and head. And so
in behalf Of her whom we delight tC
honor and serve, and in behalf of al
the visitors and chapters represented
here, let me thank you again for in.
wiling us to Savannah; thank you fol
the cordially with which you fave
received us into your homes, for the
pleasure you have planned for our en-.
tertainment and best of all, for the
privilege of taking part in the impos-
ing ceremonies of the week, which can.
not fail to add new lustre to the al
ready brilliant history of our state