The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-05-30
INVITE THE VETERANS ?
Certainly, By Ali Means Ask
Them to Sumter.

Mt. EQitOi. 0!!t AIE, tae great CuWoiiS1
of the war period. introduced b!uself IN one
of his inimitao!e eeistles With the somewhat
srsrtlng announcement that he was ''dredful
aaxshus 70 say suuthin." | am very much
,n like condition and at the risk of being
considered plagaristic will introduce myself
ia simiisr terms. too wish 10 say soEe-
thing, and if you will ellow me to wander
around over yoar co.u ms for iast few
miputes, | will have ny say sud then sit
bscS quietly, sad wait 10 hear frosa others
on the same line, provided don't have to
wait too long. do net wish to tslk about
politics, either national, state o: county
have no disposition to discuss tie merits of
the cispensary, the prohibition scheme, the
Philippine war, free silver, or aaythicg of
kiadred nature, but do Wish TO say some
thing about the Confederate veterans and
their annual State reunion, aud to icquire
Why we cannot have that body to meet 10
the City of Sumter 10 1901.
The City of Sumter Is as near central as
aoy place in the Stale. Her people Il be-
ieve) are as patriotic as any. She hss rail-
roads coming in from seven different direc-
tiocs, 80 that there can be no difficulty 10
reaching it f.om any poict. Although
among the largest of t5e interior towns of
the State, she has never had any ytting of this
character in her midst before We bave
splendid Opera House in which they can
meet 6,st class band that can play Dixie
to 6oish, aud three ice factories to keep the
boys cool, when the band gets through.
Why can't we have them here?
Now, NJ. Editor, I cootess I an (if you
Will pardon the expressien) little stuck on
the noveueos. do want to see the OLD
Coofsds come together 10 this city next wear
Tasiog ery,hipga iuto cous Iteration: can
sc 90 reason why we should not have the
largest aud grandest reunioa here that has
e7eS been held by that body. l was present
las, year at Chester, and saw the recnio
aoou: to go begging for q place of meeting
when uobe little Green wood (several degrees
smaller than Sumter) a; the last moment, by
telegraph, exteaded the invitation foT the
meeting this year. Being alone and entirely
unadvised, did 20, feel warranted in inter-
posing any Invitation for this year. A meet
ing here woald be means of advertisement
Of our city, to say nothing of the increased
volume Of business that would naturally
result ,hsrefrom.
As e general ;biog the old Confsds do rot
ezoecs gra!citous entertanneat, although
preparation should be made for soDe OF this
class TIE vast msjorisy are willing .o re?
their way | have never yet beard an old
Confederate soldier KICK &. ore dollar per
day foc entertainment at g reaoioo. as he is
the easiest man seus6sd CO the gresa earth,
al! be wants is plenty CT rat!ons Il don't
mean army Tatlo1s) "a place t. talS, spin
war Earns, swap lies, anu COT oa which he
usy rest his heac. With a sheet or qa.lt for
covering, g few laaic refreo3 meats. aud be is
happy. Strange as ;, msy appear, the old
fellows haven forgotten iaeic i7sioiug and
they don', mind tee ~ -aon Of orci2ary
/ G,aelsioIs soy more than they cd four 10 q
6 tent ;b'rty-eight years ago.
Nov Mr Editor, we Il say we oecaass this
subject has been discussed by good!y nun-
Ger of old Cobfeds) woni5 ike 10 have an
expression of opinion for The comn2ri,y oa
this subject. for it will ce necessary, it the
reunion comes to Sumter, for our citiZars
generally 10 throw open their doors anc take
tbs ola boys in
Camp Dick Andersen will soon be called
| upon 10 elect delegates to the State reunion,
aud those delegates should be distracted to
extend the invitation aud urge its acceptance
We Gave in this city 40 organization OF Sons
Of Confederate Veterans and daughters alec
We would like both of them to "scoue TO-
terested 10 this matter, and wheo the invita-.
tioa goes up, let il be spontaneous aud unsn-
lmous, from our city government, from the
citizens aud from the Gamecock County.
GG'he ne2t pan now has the floor
Very respectfully,
old Confederate