The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-02-06
New Issue of Stamps to
Honor James Oglethorpe,
Georgia'S Founder Savior
Friend of Poor Debtors to
Receive Tribute
Feb. 13.
BY MRS. c. o. ROBINSON

ON Feb. -, Georgia will begin
~ bi-centennial celebration that
will continue until Thanksgiving. To
inaugurate flttingly this commence
ration, the United States govern
ment Will issue a Scent purple
stamp. carrying the likeness of Cen
eral James Edward Oglethorpe,
founder OF the first permanent set
tlcmcnt in Georgia.
There has been quite a bit oil
sarcastic criticism Of the numerous
but certainly General Oglethorpe
and the colony in Georgia deserve a
memorial.
In 1894, when urging the erection
OF a monument to General Ogle-
thorpe, an impassioned Georgian
orator with typical southern ex-
travagance of speech, said. 1.-The
deliyerance of Georgia from the
Spaniards is such that it may not
be paralleled except by some in
stances out OF the Old Testament.
In annals Of the English speaking
race there is none more deserving
Of imperiShable monument than
James Edward Oglethorpe."
Founding and maintaining a col
ony in Georgia was a feat Of mill
1tary skill Oglethorpe demon
strated his strategic ability when his
small army of 600 almost annihilated
Spanish force Of 5000. Neverthe-
less, the benevolent impulse behind
the colonization was of greater
importance
The suffering occasioned by the
cruel practice of imprisoning for
debt was opposed bitterly by Ogle-
thorpe, who persuaded parliament
to pass bill improving prison con-
ditions and freeing many of the
debtors.
As these people found difficulty
in reinsating themselves in society
and finding work OglethOrpe of
fered TO take them to Georgia to
found colony.
TINE hostile Spaniards in Florida
4 had made colonization in
Georgia unsuccessful. Therefore.
the English king was delighted to
have a man Of Oglethorpes military
attainments, willing to undertake
such venture. In 1888, forty debtors
and their families came to America
under his leadership, and settled on
a high plateau, which now is the
site of Savannah. Later band of
prosecuted German MOravians found
refuge with them, as did John
Wesley, destined to be the great
Methodist leader.
The claim that OgIethorpe's de-
feat Of the Spaniards preserved
America to the English speaking
people seems a bit extravagant. In
reality, twelve Of the thirteen
original colonies were flourishing
before Oglethorpe established his
settlement, in spite Of the fact that
st. Augustine was and had been
under Spanish rule for l68 years
Rather, his great claim to fame
lies in his work for humanity. A
contemporary said of him, Every
humane and noble cause exercises
his heart and head. He is one Of
the most ennobling characters of
whom the annals Of the time give
an account Pope wrote Of him
One driven by strong benevolence of soul,
Shall fly like OGlethorpe from pole to pole
CEVERAL poems were written to
, him by famous men, for it was
considered the elegant gesture of
that day to dash off verse at the
slightest provocation, Aside from
his philanthropic and military ex-
ploitS, the noble veteran ever was
a favorite with the ladies' which
seems to complete a perfect char
aCter.
For the United States to immor-
talize a man of such caliber is log
ical and timely. 1t may be that
more boys and girls will remember
the story Of the founding of Georgia
from the discussion and study oc-
casioned by this stamp than from
their textbooks.
The government bulletin concern
ing the issue does not specify which
portrait will be used. 1t merely
states, The central subject of the
stamp is a likeness of General
Oglethorpe, wearing coat of
armor'
The accompanying portrait. in ar
NOR, may be used, but the Detroit
News reports that a painting of
Oglethorpe recently was discovered
in London and purchased for the
art department of Oglethorpe uni
versity. AS it is supposed to be the
only contemporary portrait, possibly
it was the one selected.
According to the bulletin. THE
stamps will be placed on sale at
Savannah on Feb. 10. Stamp col
lectors desiring first day cancella-
tons may send a limited number of
addressed covers. not to exceed a
total of twenty-five, to the post
master, Savannah, Ga, with the
cash or postal order to cover exactly
the value of the stamps required
Cachet Calendar
Feb. 10 to 15-Speed trials of Sir