The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-11-12

portion Of this unSeemly commotlon.
! At no time on Thursday were the
! Clemson boys armed, excepting the
swords on the officers who were carry
ing them as indications Of rank.
Now it seems to me that enough had
developed on Thursday night to con-
vince any serious thinking mind that
further parading of the transparency,
which seemed to outrage the Clemson
students, was unwise. was using my
utmost efforts and the commandant,
Lieut.. Sirmyer, and the other officers
of the corps, were ahly assisting me to
preserve the peace, and I know that
there could not have been any further
trouble if the Carolina college auhtor-
tiles had been able to prevent the re-
petition of theltransparency parade on
Friday night.
8. Thursday night it was college
boys contending with college boys.
On Friday night, however, the condi
tions were totally different. A parade
was under way of formation in which
not only these two groups of boys were
to take part, but the governor of the
State, She officials of the city of Col
umbia and many invited distinguished
citizens of South Carolina were also
on the ground ready to take their
positions in this most beautiful dis
play. The Clemson cadets were drawn
up ready a salute the governor and
pay homage to the beautiful queen
when there appeared before them this
unseemly and not of place transpar-
ency. It was too much for them to
endure so they appealed to their COM
mandant to get the officials Of the
parade to come to their relief and pre-
vail on the Carolina college boys to
listen to reason. The officials declined
to interfere, and then it was that the
Clemson cadets felt, and they so ex-
pressed themselves, that the city of
Columbia had assumed responsibility
for the transparency, its intended
insult and all the results accrning
tberefrom. Of course this was
wrong position to assume. but upon
first examination Of the question one
must admit the force of the position
taken by the cadets. At this juncture
Lieut.. Sirmyer addressed his COM
mand and told them that he expected
them to act like soldiers and bear
this affront, certainly so long as the
corps made part Of the parade,
and that they did So, was proof
of their confidence in him and
their regard for his opinion. The
friends of these young men feel that
great mistake was made when Lieut..
Sirmyer's appeal to the authorities
was ignored.
Now as to the after results. In re-
gard to what took place at the campus
of the Carolina college neither myself
nor the commandant knew anything
about the matter until it was ended
and the boys were in their barracks.
But an Investigation has shown US
that.
l. The Clemson boys did not go to
the campus with pistols or guns,
| but they did not take time to unbuckle
| the cartridge box and bayonet when
they placed their guns in the barracks.
2. It was stated that the Carolina
students were armed with pistols and
re beating guns, but this was rumor
and I cannot speak with authority.
3. The proposition came from the
| Clemson cadets that committee be
appointed from each side to settle the
| difficulty, and the entire question was
settled in that way, after which a
cheer was sent up for the Carolina col
lege boys.
In conclusion permit me to say that
| Clemson college cannot allow the harsh
criticism of Lieut.. Sirmeyr to pass
unDoticed. He is a high-toned, hon
orable gentleman and performs his
duty with exceptional skill and efici-
ency. Within few weeks he has es-
tablished excellent order and disci-
pline, and the fine. drill and soldierly
appearance of the cadet corps in Co.
lumbia prove his military ability.
| While the discipline is strict there is
no friction and be has won the admira-
tion and loyal support of the cadets.
After a long experience in military
colleges I can say that he is one Of
| the best commandants [ have ever
seen, and any attempt to remove him
would be injurious to the best in
terests Of this college.
Respectfully, P. H. Nell.
President.