The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-08-12

root and has produced an abundance
of fruit throughout Georgia.
The foundations of Georgia's civiliza-
ton began here. History teaches us
that our ancestors came across the
ocean to escape every form of oppres-
sion. They loved liberty, justice and
equality of rights and braved the
perils of the ocean to secure these
blessings, The love of liberty and JUS
tice planted here and nurtured by our
ancestors, has spread and taken root
throughout the state, and is the val
liable inheritance of two and one-quar-
ter millions of people. Every hamlet
in Georgia has been the recipient at
your hands of these untold blessings.
Time, however, will not permit a fur
ther discussion on these lines.
City's Historic Interest.
AS the city has grown in popuTa-
ton and increased in wealth, it has
become necessary to erect a more
modern and commodious structure, The
old City Hall represents Savannah in
her early struggles and triumphs. His
tory teaches us that many of the great
men of this republic who are now dead
and gone were rendered public recep-
lions as the guest of the city of Sa-
vannah in the old City Hall The la
mented and universally beloved Wash
ington, the Father of his Country,
Daniel Webster and Henry Clay your
own immortal Howell Cobb and Will
liam H. Crawford; Presidents Polk,
Monroe and William Mckinley and
Gen. Lafayette who left France and
crossed the ocean to fight the battles
of the struggling colonies during their
life time, were the guests of this city,
and public receptions were given them
in the old City Hall.
They were the recipients or your
genuine hospitality, and bore truthful
testimony to the nation that the peo-
pie of Savannah, in point of hospitali-
| ty, were without an equal, and in
point of intelligence and love of coun-
| try, and devotion to duty, you had
made a record that none had surpass-
| ed. Others who are still living and
| enjoying the confidence and esteem of
their countrymen, and who have been
| your guests. continue to sing your
| praises among them Grover Cleveland,
David B. Hill and Admiral Dewey. 1t
| is expected, however, on an occasion
like this. that a public speaker will
| trace the history, growth and progress
| of city from time of the erection of
the old City Hall to the present time,
and pointing out especially the reasons
| why it has become necessary to erect
the new City Hall.
Growth of savannah.
The people of Savannah who have
made her one OF the first cities of the
South know why this magnificent
structure, to cost quarter million of
dollars, has become matter of ne
| Cessity. When the present City Hall
was erected savannah had a popua-
ton Of not quite 5000 souls. At the
beginning of the Civil War your popu-
lation had grown to about 100000 You
now have reached a population of,
1 dare say, 10000 people.
II ] were talking to an audience in
the city of Atlanta they would expect
me to at least say a quarter of mill
| lion. l understand, however. that the
people OF Savannah will not tolerate
| eXaggeration even when in their favor
| History teaches us that in the last
thirty years your population has dou-
bled, your taxable values have risen
| from $l7000,000 to more than sac, 900 900,
the tonnage OF your vessels entering
| and clearing from the Custom
House has increased from s1,25000O to
$500 600. and the gross value of your
commerce has increased from $50, O00-
900 to nearly s2O00O0,000.
Worldwide Commerce.
We know that Savannah's commerce
is world wide l am told that an in
spection Of the government reports
shows that vessels load here through
out the year from European, South
American and Asiatic ports. We know
that Savannah is the natural outlet
for products of this country even as
far up as omaha. l have been graft
fed more than words can express to
see the growth Of your exports and
imports.
In 1878 your total imports and ex-
ports were only 100000 tons and In
1903 they had grown 10 100000 tons
Savannah has been for a number of
years and Is now the third cotton port
Of the world. l have been told that
Savannah holds the worlds record for
exporting the largest cargo OF cotton
which went out In the British steamer
ST. Andrew In 1903. When this port
shall receive its Just dues. in COMPARE
son with other ports OF like character
from the Treasury Department OF the
United states government. why can
not savannah become the first cotton
port Of the world? / shall take great
pleasure IN joining with Col Lester
your most courteous and efficient rep-
reaentative IN Congress, and my able