The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1913-07-08
ACCEPTANCE OF MONUMENT
SPEECH OF MIR. YEOMANS AT
Unwilling EXERCISES.
Smoke in Behalf of People OF the
Home Town and County OF Belo'eu
and Lamented Congressman.

Following is the full text OF the
speech that was delivered by Hon. NJ
] Yeomans in accepting for the peo-
nile of Dawson and Terrell county
the monument that was recently
erected by the people of the Second
district to their late Congressman
James NJ. Griggs:
1T is a great pleasure and DIS
tinouished honor to stand in this
Mace. representing this city, among
the people who honored and loved
lin Griggs, and among the people
whom he loved with his great heart
and honored by his matchless ser
vice. and assist in the formal accept"
ance of this monument erected by
loving hands and loyal hearts to per-
petuate in deathless granite the
splendid achievements Of Dawson s
most illustrious son.
"To us who knew him and watched
with unspeakable pride the growth
of his fame to nationwide proper
tions this monument seems common
place. for we know the name Of Our
distinguished citizen will live for
ever in the hearts Of his countrymen.
The memory of Jim Griggs enthron-
ed in the hearts and minds OF his
countrymen will outliye this monu-
ment of granite, as love survives
mortality, and the coming genera
tions will look with admiration upon
this memorial here erected and learn
the lessons of industry, honesty and
integrity which made possible his
many achievements.
There are certain principles OF
character which always make great
men. Jim Griggs possessed these
great qualities in a superlative de-
gree. He was independent cour-
ageous, self-reliant, Tesolute, honest
and brainy. He had earnest and
patriotic convictions, and a devotion
to principles which was intense in
its manifestations. His courage COM
manded the admiration of his peo-
pie. and his high character inspired
the confidence of those who knew
him. He met the highest as well as
the lowest on a plane of absolute
equality. He filled full every posi-
ton he occupied
The annals of his progress, from
a fatherless boy battling against pow
erty and adversely, to the highest
place of distinction and honor which
the people of this district could con-
fer upon him are an inspiration and
a benediction to the young men OF
this state. When We contemplate mis-
achievements we realize that our
true resources of strength and great
ness lie not in the fields of corn and
cotton, nor in the mines of gold and
silver. or in the laundering power OF
our mighty rivers as they turn the
spindles of thousand mills, but in
the manhood of our public servants.
Jim Griggs had the fundamental
basis of the highest character, integ-
rity and honesty; his aspirations
were high, honorable and noble.
Nothing mean, little or selfish was in
common with his high character.
Firm in his convictions and sincere
in his purposes the causes he cham
pioned and the measures he defend
ed were espoused without selfish
motive or feeling. However much he
may have differed from others in his
political opinions and principles all
concede that he was honest and pa
triotic in his views, and was actuated
by the sole desire to serve well his
people whom he loved and the nation
which honored him and which he
honored. He lived long enough, he
did enough and accomplished his
task so well and so hOnorably as tC
make for himself a permanent place
in the records of our country, and his
fame will grow in lustre and bright
ness in the years to pass
'"Those of US who knew him hnC
that he has left upon our hearts anC
minds a strong and lasting impress
sion of duties well and honorablA
performed, which will never be oblit
Grated while we live. In the years
to come we shall congratulate our
selves that we lived in his day, tina
we knew and loved him and that hi
knew and loved us, and that we bask
ed in the sunshine of his manly pres
ence. We shall speak of his man!
virtues to those who are coming OF
to take our place, and when the tim
comes. when one by one we shall q
in succession to that "undiscoVere'
country from whose bourne no tray
eler returns" we will carry with u
a deep sense of his genius and char
acter, his honor and integrity, hi
amiable and sunshiny disposition
and the purity of his lofty patriotism
From the great state which nurture
him, from the district which he s
ably illustrated in the halls of con
gress. from the most humble citlZe
with whom he associated on plan
of absolute equality and loved an
delighted to serve and honor, DaW
son accepts this monument whic
loving hands and patriotic heart
have reared as a lasting memorial