The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-04-16

A1SSOAJ W Wv ~ >~AS>~O ~
plain that there must be enterprise
and industry, continued and unceas-
ing if success and achievements we're
| to be had in the future that would be
comparable to the past. The presi
dent was dressed in a well fitting
Prince Albert, cut rather high in the
neck and buttoned closely, showing
only small section of rundown
collar and a blue and white four in
hand tie.
Thousands were banked up in front
of the building and at the sides, but
the crowd was not allowed to rush in,
only few being let in at a time
The stage was crowded with proml-
nent citizens of Charleston and
abroad, including all of the members
of the city conucil, city officials and
distinguished citizens The ladies Of
the wonaan's board and the members
| of the reception committee occupied
boxes. President Roosevelt, together
with Capt. Wagner aud officers of the
exposition, occupied seats on a small
platform erected in the centre of the
stage and the audience commanded a
splendid view. The artillery band
/ occupied seats to the presidents left
and furnished delightful music at in
tervals during the exercises.
The first speaker was Capt. F. W.
Wagner, president of the Exposition
Company. He was received enthusi-
astically and in very few words ex-
tended cordial greetings to the presi-
Edent and the members Of the party
and visitors to the exposition.
! Gov. McSweeney, of South Carroll
ma, was the next speaker and he ex-
tended the warnest and kindest greet
ings to the president from the people
of South Carolina.
The next address was made by Gov.
Aycock, of North Carolina, who
brought kind words and heartfelt
welcome from the old North State.
Gov. Aycock is a most eloquent
speaker and be was received with
great applause. He assured the presl--
| dent that all North Carolina was glad
to have him in the south at any time,
| but especially on this particular oc-
casion, the holding of the greatest ex-
position ever held in the south.
Many visitors were here from his
own State to join with South Carroll
na in welcoming him.
| Mayor J. Adger Smyth then intro
duced the president. The audience
seemed to have guessed Mayor Smyth' s
purpose, for there was burst Of ap-
! plause the moment he arose from his
seat.
! At the conclusion of the president
4 speech President Wagner annoucend
4 that the friends and admirers of Maj.
IJenkins in South Carolina wished tc
present the sword to Mai. Jenkins on
this occasion as most fitting the testi,
monial, presented Gov. Thompson te
the audience.
The former governor was greeted
with enthusiastic applause as be
stepped forward.
| A great shout Of appreciation mark
ed the close of the former governors
address and this swelled to an over
whelming greeting as the president
sprang forward with evident deilgh1
and took the sword from the hands
Gov. Thompson and turned the gal,
lant Maj. Jenkins. Maj. Jenkins step.
ned forward with soldierly bearing clac
! in the dress uniform of major of the
Rough Riders the full dress uniform
being unknown in that command. Il
was fine picture as the two former
Rough Riders faced each other and the
president in ringing tones said:
Mai. jenkins: Nothing could give
me greater pleasure than to hand yor
nv old friend and comrade whose cour
age I saw tried again and again anc
whose courage was of temper thai
made it Indifferent what the trial was
to hand you this sabre. am glad tt
do it as the guest Of South Carolina
as the president of the United States
but glader to do it as your old friene
and comrade-
In accepting the sword Maj. Jenkin:
said:
Mr.. President: In the Spanish
American war had the honor Of being
the only representative from South
Carolina in that peerless volunteel
regiment-the Rough Riders. Ny
State, with her gentle, soft voicef
glorious women and her sons almos
without exceptnio of soldier extraction
has always demanded of her represen
tatives aheld that they come back with
their shields or be brought back or
them. With these reflections to starr
with and later on the proud privilege
from 10000 gallant fellows who strove
Of serving with that thousand to form
what was to be the Rough Riders
and brigaded and divisioned with the
flower of the American army the Uni,
ted States cavalry it might we'll have
been expected that the single South
Carolinian would Go his duty. II
have measured up in any manner tc
the standard Of these high privileges
it is to be matter of lifelong thank
fulness. Your prompt and generous
recognition OF the little that fell to
my lot to accomplish a recognition
as quickly extended to the soldier from
Arkansas as to the soldier from New
York-has now been followed on the
part of my fellow statesmen by the
I gift of this beautiful sword. From
time immemorial this form CT testl
monial has always been especially
gratifying to its recipient. 1t IS to