The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-21
SIDE LIGHTS OF THE COLUMBIA CEN
NAL

;Ae cei2DraLlOQ ID OeCall anu Wltn
sketch here end there,
devote most Of my time ~ some cen
;ennial side lights at an historic house
oear the old village Of CRANKY.
~
On the first day of the Columbia Cen
;ennial, Wednesday the 18th, the civic
procession occurred. Two hundred
veterans occupied the
place of honor.
Gen. Wade Hampton delivered the
oration OF the day. 1t was historically
and he spoke in Gle tones
and eloquent manner. When he arose
to Jegin his speech the enthusiasm OF
the crowd burst forth in tremendous
cheers for tie hero Offs.
Xxx
The place Gen. Hampton holds in
the hearts of the people is wonderful
Their affection for him is as strong to-
day as when they followed where be
led in days of victory.
.- Se*#
My political career is ended, my
public work is finished" were the clos
ing words of his address. They are
No man of our day retire:
with such peerless fame.
M&M
The city was thronged later in th'
day vita the arrival and movement:
of the various military companies.
sSS* -
From the appearaneaTHe weather
on rsaaxsHsorning it seemed that
1ne >5aate's soldiers must endure the
of paradiDg through the
ain. But the clouds broke away at
oon, and the parade was delayed
bout all hour. The parade was
ormed at the State House, and with
Governor Tillman and staff moved up
lain street to the inspiring strains Of
even bands of music and the admira-
ion of thousands o. people on balco-
les, at windows and lining the street
rom one end to the other. The par
de was the grandest in the history of
be State. There were about LOO men
q line, representing thirty-six COM
,anies.
The Fourth brigade came first. 1t
vas composed, with one exception, OF
Charleston troops. The old city al
Ways responds nobly. The German
Eusiliers was the handsome company
u the parade, and they had a good
econd in the German Artillery Of the
anne city. They looked like veterans
md marched with remarkable precis-
on.
Col. Chas. J. Purcell, of Newberry,
n handsome uniform, and mounted
m a spirited charger, rode with the
Governor as member of his staff.
x**
The Third brigade was second IN the
inc. The Hornets Nest Rifles of
Charlotte, n. c., and the cadets of the
Patrick Military Institute, Of Ander-
;on, deserve special mention for the
inc they bore and their splendid ap-
oearauce.
Newberry was represented by Major
Z. W. C. Blalock, on the staff Of Gen.
commanding the Second
brigade. Three Columbia companies
;he Governors Guards, the Richland
Volunteers and the Zouaves--were the
most admired in this brigade. The ten
comprising this regiment
oaraded together to-day for the first
line since 1865.
The military spirit was aroused IN
many veterans who thronged from the
sidewalks. They were carried back to
;he days when the booming of cannon
was the music that inspired.
%oSs
The Governor was warmly cheered in
under the Edgefield arch, and
At the Fair grounds the Lafayette Ar
:illery took off their hats and shouted
three cheers for Governor Tillman,
which was joined in by civilians too.
:>>ss,*
The Governor was dressed in a suit
Of plain black, Prince Albert style, and
it was quite a while before I discovered
unusual in his appearance.
He had shaved off his mustache!
,s:1>
The description Of the parade in Fri
lays News and Courier is one of the
inest pieces of writing I have ever
'ead. 1t is refreshing to get hold OF
out of the usual stereotyped
style of cold details. 1t must have
been written under the inspiration OF
Charleston':s eagle, which scared aloft
N her arch that was left untar-
1ished by the advertising feature.
We do utilize the occasion" too much
ometimes. The Centennial was in
ended to celebrate the past, with a
oyal hope for propitious future-but
lot too much in the utilitarian ideal.
-;
Turning aside from this crowning
vent of the Centennial celebration, l
make visit to the old historic "Cayce
louse," which stands on the Lexing-
oc ~ 1,1o {rpSt