The Savannah morning news., 1904-12-22
TRIBUTE PAID
TO 0GLETHORPE
ELOQUENT AND POLISHED
WAS ADDRESS LAST NIGHT BY HON.
WALTER C. CHARLTON.

Keen Analysis of Conditions, Pol
ished Metaphors, Genial Humor
and Kindly Wit, Coupled With
Word-Paintings of Eloquent De-
livery Marked the Lecture-SIxetch
of OgIethOrpe and Conditions Thai
Prevailed in EurOpe-FOunding OF
the Colony.
Before a select and highly apprecia-
tive audience Hon. Walter G.. Charl-
ton delivered an eloquent and polished
lecture last night from the subject,
"Oglethorpe and His Times" The lee
ture was the first of series to be
riven under the auspices of the Sa-
vannah Daughters of the American
Revolution.
Mr.. Charlton was heard at his best
The easy flow of language; the polished
and striking figures of speech; the
keen analysis of conditions, causes and
effects; the genial humor and the kind
lv wit that characterize the speakers
addresses; coupled with rapid series
of word-paintings and sketches, and
an eloquent delivery. made the lecture
one which will deservedly rank among
the best that have been delivered in
this city during the present season.
After a few words of introduction
Mr. Charlton clearly and distinctly
sketched the subject of the lecture,
Gen. James Oglethorpe. With quick
strokes he painted the tall figure, mill
itary bearing and commanding pres
ence of the founder of Georgia. The
face he drew as handsome and deter
mined betraying the man of quick
action, determination, and quick tenn
per, and yet withal a face that showed
it's owner bore no malice toward any
one. Commanding in his personality,
vet not without gentleness; a man of
great patience, clear insight into pre-
vailng conditions, and browning all
with a sweetness of temper that en-
dured him to all. where among the
chief characteristics of the man, that
the speaker throw into the portrait.
Some men, said Mr.. Charlton, "are
great because they are the complete
embodiment of their time. Others are
great because they are far in advance
of the age in which they live. To the
latter class belonged Gen. James Ogle-
thorpe, for he was a century in ad-
vance of the age in which he lived"
Conditions in Europe.
Then followed a portrayal Of the
conditions existing in Europe in the
century preceding the landing of Ogle-
thorpe and his colonists at savannah.
Learning was in it's infancy The
trials by ordeal were pictured, and the
chief amusement of the populace given
as that of following the culprit, the
sheriff was flashing and shouting at his
cries of misery. Politics was painted
as in lowest degradation; debtors suf-
fered in the jails, sanitation was UNI
known, and religious intolerance and
persecution f1ourished.
Mr. Charlton then called attention
to the fact that Oglethorpe had be-
come interested in silk culture. Here"
he said, 1--WE have a great man, a great
wrong to be righted, and a great in
dustry. The result was the great state
of Georgia."
Founding of Georgia
Briefly he pictured the landing of the
colonists, the conference with Tomo-
chichi, whom he referred to as "the
great Savannahian;" the laying of the
foundations of the state on the broad
est and freest principles, the sturdy
courage, progressiveness, loyalty and
patriotism of the colonists them
selves.
What few of the rabble and of the
irresponsible debtors there were among
them,'' he said, "soon disappeared, re-
turning to the land from which they
had come. A few years later even their
names disappeared and were forgotten.
Georgians have been pictured by the
press of some sections as doing hom-
age for political favor. Such action
is not true of the true Georgians.
They come of sturdy, independent,
liberal stock. They inherit the manli-
ness that is not purchaSable and the
loyalty and patriotism that has made
them famous. And to-day in Georgia
there is no one so despised as he who
crooks the pregnant hinges of the knee
that thrift may follow fawning.
Tribute was paid to Tomochichi the
firm ally Of the colonists and the speak
err in vivid pictures painted the meet
ing between the Indian and King
George II. eff there was anything
that the great Savannahian found to
admire in the little, red-faced Hanover
ian carpet-bagger" said Mr.. Charlton,
lit must have been his bravery only"
Concluding Thoughts.
In concluding his lecture the speak
er pictured the last years of Ogle-
thorpe. About him were gathered adj
miring friends, everywhere he met
homage and justly earned admiration,
comfort and rest were his and death
spared him until he could cordially
greet the first ambassador of the great
country he had done so much to es-
tablish when that gentleman first APP
peared at the court of st. James.
The peroration was a beautiful pic
ture of Georgia scenes, scenes so close
ly interviewer with historic memories,
recollections of the deeds of great men;
membranes of heroes and men of
sturdy mould of character. He pictured
Georgia as it is to-day. the achieve
ment of the years that have witnessed
the logical carrying out of the cour-
age. broad craftsmanship and high
minded principles of Gen. James Ogle-
thOrpe