The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-11-12

races.
It was Bulloch County Day at the
fair and though the skies were lower
ing and cloudy the weather could not
dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds of
visitors which fiOcked to the grounds.
The fun began with the opening of the
gates and never stopped until every
thing was over at night. The pro-
gramme announced for Bulloch Coun-
ty Day. was carried out in detail, and
the crowd which gathered att the Bull
loch county booth was a large one
overlooking with enthusiasm.
The programme started at 2 o'clock.
The First Regiment Band was at the
entrance TO the building and before
the addresses an excellent musical pro-
gramme was rendered. After the last
number, Mr.. J. R. Miller, proprietor
of the Statesboro News, who has
charge of the Bulloch county exhibit
introduced Col. P. W. Meldrim, who
delivered the address of welcome.
Col. Meldrim climbed up on bale of
hay for a platform and was greeted
with round of applause. The address
was a strong one, dealing with the
past and future of Bulloch county. In
beginning Col. Meldrim related the ac-
count of his first entrance into Bull
loch county as a young lawyer, and
the picture Of the scenes. so familiar
TO many of those in his audience was
a vivid one.
He pictured the thick pine woods
whispering with the secrets of the
winds; the old race track running in
an almost perfectly straight line and
over which he had 50 often ridden,
with no saddle; the little log cabins
nesting beneath the pines; the SEEM
ing poverty OF long years ago; the al
most total ruin and desolation; were
drawn in realistic word paintings.
Then he touched on the changes that
have been made by time and spoke
feelingly of the disappearance of so
many of the old things, familiar to
his younger days, and about which
some of the fondest and dearest mem
cries clustered. But the change, though
it has obliterated the old landmarks,
has yet been a beneficial one in all
respects. The pines are less thick and
in many places are gone entirely, and
the scene of the old race path is now
a hustling town. The change has
been one long story, in the history of
Georgia's progress.
Strong Plea for Unity.
Col. Meldrim made a strong plea for
unity in all lines, that Georgias rising
star of progress might know no de-
cline I'VE have wrought" he aid,
in land which we found as God first
gave it to us. We have wrought from
ruins and desolation beautiful towns
and cities, and from barren plains we
have brought forth fertile fields, wav-
ing with the golden harvest. We have
wrought it all with Gods help and with
that help we shall go forward to still
great things. Our progress is written
in the deeds of our noble men, in the
heart-throbs of our loyal women. 1t is
glorious record and one of which we
might well be proud.
AS we go forward into the future
let us not forget that there must be
commercial and agricultural unity.
Without Savannah's wharves BulIoch
county's progress would have been lit
tie; without Bulloch county's fertile
fields, the wharves of Savannah would
be idle, empty, deserted. The COM
mercial interest must be united with
the agricultural, and, hand in hand,
Georgia's people can go on to even
greater glories.
Let us learn that we are all broth
ers, living under the providence of one
God. Let US learn to know that the
man in the stately residence and the
man in the humble cabin are brothers,
one no better than the other. Let US
learn to know that he who pushes the
plow is no better than he who pushes
the plane. We are all brothers, a unit
ed people.
Let us go together through the
coming years. Let each and all strive
for an honest government, for mutual
help and respect, for a high moral
G q ND nd fnv. he orlr ,F
try. With Gods help, we shall succeed.
In confusion, let me extend to you all
a most hearty and cordial welcome to
Savannah and her fair, and may the
hospitality which we extend to you be
as rich, as free, as generous as that
which you extend to us when we visit
you"
At the conclusion of the address the
speaker was greeted with a round of
applause, a fitting testimony to the
kindness and hospitality of the well
come and to the appreciation of the
plea for higher standards in all walks
of life.
Hon. j. A. BranneR's Response.
At the conclusion of Col Meldrim's
address Hon. J. A. Brannen of States
boro responded on behalf of BuIloch
county and her visitors. After thank
ing Col Meldrim for his cordial words
of welcome he took up the subject of
the unity between the county and city.
In speaking of this he said, among
other things:
There is a unity between Bulloch
and Chatham counties. The time was
when the country man was laughed at
when he visited the city and made the
subject of all the tricks of the green
goods men. But with the passing of
time we from the country have learned
not to blow out gas. The mingling of
the country residents with those from
the city has been for the good of both.
Each now RESPECTS and understands
the other and they are moving on to-
gether.
I'VE aSe united. Bulloch and Chat
ham counties are twin counties. We
are marching on together, each helping
and assisting the other in all she un-
dertakes. The future lies bright be-
fore us. Hand in hand we will go on
and write one common name even
brighter than it has already been writ
tan.
In closing, in the name Of the peo-
pie of Bulloch county let me return
thanks for the hearty welcome which
has been extended to us and when you
come our wav we will do likewise
Again, ] thank you"
Mr.. Simmons Address.
At the conclusion Of the address BY