Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1909-01-14
Pull for Fitzgerald or Pull Out.
The Town of TOndee's Tavern.

In the days which preceded the American
Revolution the colonial patriots of Georgia
held frequent meetings atan inn called Tondee's
Tavern. 1t was located within the limits of
the present city of Savannah, which was then
the capital and chief city of the province; and
before it stood the famous liberty pole which
was the favorite rendezvous of the early pa
triots.
This wayside tavern, which was the indie
pendence Hall of the colonial times in GeOr-
gia, has long since disappeared.
But the spot on which it stood is hallowed
ground; and like the fragrance which fingers
around the broken vase, the memory of Ton
dees Tavern still survives.
Time and again it echoed with the eloquence
Ofsturdy old Revolutionary patriots like George
Walton and Wimberly Jones and Jonathan
BRYAN and Lyman Hall 1t shook with the
shibboeths of freedom 1t trembled with the
denunciations of old King George. And fin
ally it witnessed the most impressive scene of
all when Georgia-the youngest of the thir-
teen royal enthusiastically renowned the
ties which bound her to the house Of Bruins
wick, and ceased to be an imperial ewelin the
crown Of England.
Glorious old TOndee's Tavern
From the base ofTybee lightto thesolitudes
beyond the Etowah it is held in loyal and low
ing veneraton by the whole family of GeOr-
gians.
But the years have aown
Savannah is almost twice centenarian.
The MOSES which droop from her ancient live
oaks tell of the age-long stretch other recollec-
tions. But again the flag of protest is raised
upon the bluffs of Yamacraw. Again she talks
of liberty Again she meditates upon seces-
sion.
Aye, and again she displays the tavern sign
but the tavern is no longer Tondee's!
In place of King George III the tyrant whose
power she processes to assail is King Prohibition
but in fact and in reality it is Queen Georgia.
For the sovereign people of the common
wealth have decreed in favor of statewide pro-
hibiton; and law is law.
ButSavannah Haunting the tavern sign, harks
back to 1916 and cries. "Revolution!'
Nor is her protest restricted to mere words.
1t clinks in clashing tumblers 1t effervesces
in foaming goblets. 1t pops in resembling
corks. 1t wobhes in reeing footsteps 1t
chants in Bacchanalian hymns.
True, Atlanta is guilty to some extent of
coquetting with near beer. Be it in sorrow
said But Savannah is satisfied with no ap-
proXimations.
Peace or war; she will have no substitutes.
Live or die she will recognize no step, children
of John Barleycorn.
She wants the blood-purple of the royal line
the old Falernian which inspired the odes of
Horace, the mellow beverage which provoked
the tale of Tam O'Shanter, the old Dutch dram
that warmed the pouch of Rip Van Wrinkle
and, if reports be true, the stream of alcohol
ic stimulation courses thru the town 'like Iser
rolling rapidly"
But come!
Be your better self Savannah! Before you
are rudely brought to the bar of justice,
restrain your thirst, curb your appetite. Re
member that it was your own nobleand knight
" Oglethorpe who first outlawed and banished
rum from the colony ofGeorgia. Ifyou regard
not the majesty of law, obey the behests of
your fair women, heed the prattle of your lit
tie children; take counsel of the dead who
sleep in Bonaventure; and be the beautiful Sa-
vannah which you can be-which you may be,
Indeed It heart you aTe-fit to wear the