The Savannah morning news., 1903-11-20
A MONUMENT TO 0GLETH0RPE
From the Atlanta News.

A movement has been set on foot by
the patriotic societies of Georgia to
erect a monument to the memory of
Gen. James Oglethorpe, the founder
of the colony of Georgia. In further
ance of this plan the Oglethorpe Mon
ument Association of the state has sug-
gested that all the cities and towns
in Georgia, by concerted action, set
apart some specific evening early in
December on which each shall give
grand Oglethorpe monument ball.
The patriotic and devoted women of
Savannah, with the energy and enter
prise which mark their attachment to
every uplifting cause, have already
taken the initiative in this matter and
have decided to give ball on the even
ing of Dec. 10, which will be in every
way worthy of the cause and of the
traditions of Savannah, social and his
toric. The proceeds, which are to go
to the monument fund, will no doubt
be large, and the success of the even
ing is a foregone conclusion.
But a high duty now rests upon the
remainder of the state. Atlanta GER
tainly cannot afford to be behind in
this laudable movement, which appeals
to the pride and patriotism of every
true Georgian. Indeed, it should be
regarded as a high privilege to parti-
pate in this movement which has al
ready been delayed until it is a re-
proach to US. 1t should be peculiar
pleasure to cooperate with the ladies
who have now taken the matter up and
propose this unique and effective plan
for raising the necessary funds.
The suggestion that the entire state
20, should QiUa II
self over to decorous revelry, in which
the nimble two-step of our time shall
mingle with the stately minuet which
was a part of our colonial glory,
strikes the imagination and wins the
heart before even the first detail is
perfected. So far as we are aware,
the pan is unique. A synchronized
benefit, embracing a commonwealth, is
without a precedent as its success
should be without a rival.
And we would have to wander far
afleld to find worthier cause. James
Oglethorpe was one of the marvellous
men of his time-one of the most not
able figures of all time. If he had
never set his foot on Georgia soil he
would have been still one of the most
conspicuous characters in his coun-
try's history. His long life was filed
with stirring events.
At the same time, his browning
achievement was the colonization of
Georgia. His skill, tact and patience
qualities which were all too rare among
the early founders and governors of
American colonies-wrought wonders
in this salubrious spot, where his
friends and followers came to wrest
their fortune from a virgin soil. Es-
timated by that final arbter, sue
cess, he stands high among the dis
tinguiShed men whose names are link ed
with our colonial history.
1t is strange, indeed, that during
all these years no monument should
have risen to perpetuate his memory.
The niche and pedestals are adorned
with bronze and marble effigies of
many illustrios sons whose achieve
ments, indisputably great, were never
theless made possible only by the ge-
MUS and energy of Oglethorpe.
1t is a duty we owe to ourselves, as
we'll as to his memory. to erect some
where in the state fitting monument
to commemorate his virtues The
movement to raise the necessary funds
has taken a most attractive form. A
colonial ball, or some modification
thereof, would furnish a vast amount
of wholesome, instructive pleasure, and
the idea of holding one in every city
and town in the state is a master
stroke which amounts to inspiration.
We make an earnest appeal to the
citizens of Atlanta and of the entire
state to cooperate with the noble wom-
en- of the Oglethorpe Monument AS
ISOLATION, the Daughters of the Ameri-
can Revolution, and other patriotic So
cieties who have taken the matter in
hand and make the evening of Dec
10 a memorable one in social and pa
triotic history of Georgia.