Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-02-15
Walter B. Hill and James
Og1ethorpe
BY JOHN T. BOIFEUILLET

|
| the first colopistS in this State under Gen
eral James Edward Oglethorpe, did it occur
to you shat there is striking parallel in
the characters and public services OF this
renowned English philanthropist and the
late eminent Chancellor Walter Barnard
HILL of the University Of Georgia?
! The life of each was consecrated to noble
purposes. Both were builders of works in
benevo!ence, education, humanity, philan-
tropy, sobriety and religion. They believed
that che alone loves God and his country
who loves and serves his fellowman." Their
lives were adorned with all the civic and
private virtues.
Oglethorpe is proudly claimed by Geor
gians as the founder of their common
wealth.
Hill is honored and praised by Georgians
as the founder of their modern state uni
versity with it's new and 1oftier and holder
ideals, and with its generously increased
donations and extensively enlarged bounda-
ries.
Peabody's Opinion of Hill
I have been led into this train of thought
by letter written to former Governor Nat
E. Harris of this state, by George Foster
Peabody, the well-known New York banker
and philantropist, and trustee and very
generous friend of the University of Geor-
gia. In the following exceedingly interest
ing extract from Mr.. Peabody's letter he
expresses the belief that Hill is entitled to
place by the side of Oglethorpe in his
tory's gallery
"Our great colony of Georgia was founded
by rare and unique SOUL James Oglethorpe,
whose memory we do well to honor and
whose life we study In these days with
profit and increasing admiration for his
great wisdom. / cannot but feel that fu
ture historians who come to study in the
larger perspective the character and pubic
service of Walter B. Hill will perceive even
w hic ic
titled to rank close beside that of the great
Oglethorpe, than whom no one who founded
colonies in America, seems to me nobler."
Peabody's Rich Gifts
Mr.. Peabody Is a native of Columbus,
Ca, and, though he now lives in northern
cline where fortune has bounteousIy ia
vored him, and he is a potent factor in
many of the moving and great events
which contribute to the material strength
and social welfare Of this country yet his
thoughts ever dwell with affection on the
state where he frsts aw the light. He
feels about the dear old mother like Gold
smiths Traveller"
"Whereer I roam, whatever realms to see,
My heart untraverd fondly turns to thee"
The University of Georgia was the bene-
ficiary of his generosity in several in
stances Two of these that I remember
for the new library building and a gift of
thirty thousand dollars to the campus ex-
tension fund
Two Great Lives
The motto of Oglethorpe was very fit
ting to Walter B. Hill: mon sibi sed aliis'
Mot for himself, but for Others"
During his time, Mr.. Hill was in the front
rank in every movement of active benevo-
lence, progressive intelligence, liberal cul-
ture, social advancement, moral improve
ment and spiritual betterment. This state
has never known a purer Christiantzing,
civilizing influence. He raised and ennobled
the moral spirit of his day.
The eloquent and forceful w. w. Ian
drum said that Mr.. Hill was regarded by
many Gin the last years of his life as the
first citizen of the state in patriotic, ethi-
cal, reformatory and philanthropic ideals.
He lowered among his fellows per-
sonal force for civic righteousness"
Of Oglethorpe it was said: HE re-
dressed multitudes from extreme misery to
light and freedom. He was the friend of
the oppressed. His social affections were
more. enlarged than even the term patriot
ism can express. No interest was too I'M
connected or too much opposed to his own,
to prevent the immediate succor of suffer-
ing humanity Honest in an era OF guile,
without fear and without reproach, he ap-
proved the better things of life
You remember, no doubt, Alexander
Popes splendid lines to Oglethorpe:
''Thy great example shall through ages
shine,
favorite theme with poet and divine;
People unborn thy merits shall proclaim
And add new honors to the deathless
name"
The Crowns and ClimaXes
When Oglethorpe first landed on Geor-
gia soil to rear free and sovereign state,
"a great man.: to quote the brilliant Wal
ter G. Charlton, "and great work had
come together, and the vitality of great
nature had been breathed into the work"
When Walter B. Hill was indicted into
the chancellorship of the University OF
Georgia once again "a great man and
great work had come together" and the
vitalizing force of his superb spiritual and
intellectual nature was instantly 1elt
throughout the extensive system OF aft1l-
lated schools and colleges of the historic
university
Opposed to Strong Drink
Oglethorpe prohibited the sale and use
of rum in the colony His life was one of
sobriety Hill was the ceaseless and fear
less foe of whisky in Georgia He was the
dauntless, ince&ant radiant sincere apos-
tie of temperance. His trumpet notes OF
admonition and warning sounded through
crowded cities and in lonely hamlets; they
rolled through the valleys and swelled to
the mountain tops. His tones were never
grating or harsh or rough, but he spoke In
voice of affection, gentleness and kind
ness, of admonition, warning and prayer, OF
beauty, earnestness and pathos, and called
for the help of every person ana Tor the
help of the Lord.
Georgias wonderful woman, Mrs. Will
liam H. FELTON,, writing to The Atlanta
Journal some years ago regarding Mr.. HILL
said:
at was my privilege to listen to his ad-