The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-06-18
LITERARY ADDRESS.
Delivered by Hon. Thos. F. Brantley, of
Oraneebure, Before the Literary So
cieeies of the Sumter Military Academy
and Female Seminary

Oraneeburs, Before the Literary So
cieeies of the Sumter Military Academy
and Female Seminary.
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentle
men and Students This is not the
first occasion that I have had the
pleasure and privilege Of addressing
a Sumter audience from this plat
form. I considered itan honor then,
but deem the pleasant duty that
you have called upon me to perform
tonight, a greater honor, for / am
asked to address you as a student
body; and what greater honor can be
conferred upon man than that OF
moulding and fashioning as it We're
human life and human character,
than that of sowing seeds and IDEAS
of thought in the fruitful and intel
lectuaI fields of human nature, from
which in due time may be garnered,
cleaned and harvested pure lives,
noble character true manhood.
Allow me in the first places to con-
gratulaJe you people upon your ef-
forts in establishing and maintaining
here an institution worthy Of this
great section Of our State, an lnsti-
tuition bearing a name that has come
down to US as a rich heritage from
the Revolutionary period Of our
country's history, a name that is
honored, loved and reyered not only
by South Caro1inians but wherever
despotism is abhorred, manhood
respected, and liberty loVed-the
charmed name of Sumter. Permit
me further to congratulate you upon
securing for the presidency of this
institution one, though young in
years. is old in experience and sue.
cess; one whose life, though difficult
ties and hardships have surrounded
have shown him to be one of natures
proudest boasts-a man. ltwoald be
amiss did I not congratulate this in
stitution upon having material
which we have seen displayed here
tonight, capable of the highest in-
tellectual development, young men
and youugswomen,g gems and jewels,
thas must adorn and elevate our So
sciaa, political and religious life
wherever they may be. Moved by
these things, bespeak for this insti-
tuition aglorions future and invoke
SOosS srllSlCSGf%61OSSA4tSSo 3S& Ga ASAAS
and prosperous career.
oung gentlemen Of the Literary
Societies, you and the members of
the faculty have done me an honor
aud imposed upon NE a delicate
trust. The responsibility of which ]
am by no means unmindful. You
have asked me to address you to-
night as young men preparing your
selves for the great life work that.
liesbefore you. Would thatl could
respond to thatrequest, young gen..
tlenlen,, IN words OF encouragement
andladvice made rich in thought and,
practice by the experience of a long
aud useful career. Would that !
could speak to You of your duties as.
citizen and soldier, Of Carolina. in
the profannd sentiments Of love for
liberty and country that permeated
the life of your renowned Thos.,
Samter. Would that I could pie
tgire to yoar young minds your duty.
as citizens of the republic in sentie
nents Of equality and justice to ak
ma pkind hatswas shown forth inthe
life of Thos. Jefferson. Would that
I could impress upon your hearts
and minds your defy as christian
patriots in words Of living, loving
light, sas, pertra ysd blythe @iaanaortal.
7Falmage. But being unable to do
this Z shall peak to you in plain.
simple language as a young man
whose life has been made thoughtful
by the experiences Of a short but
somewhat eventfti career. I shall
endeavor to- picture 70 your minds
the.2 condition and circumstances
which may confront you in order
that you may form some ideas OF the
duties of each of you asasyou travel
along life's pathway, strewn With. its
fragrant flowers and beset with their
piercing thorns, and remembering
always. young gentlemen, that you
live not for yourselves alone but for
your. people, your county and your
God. I beseech you to ever keep in
your memories these three great
questions, in your every thought, mo-
tive and act ia Hfeq WilLis help my
feilow-man? Will it serve my coun.
try? Will it glorify my God? Moved
by these thoughts and guided By
GD6SS pure usSttSSS you C1ut Uu0 OSr
come honorable men OF great State:
and country, citizens Of q afstiH great
er Republic.
And now, young gentlemen, in the
for the life that is before
you there must be some definite pur-
pose of q high and noble character
in order that you may attain to true
greatness. There must be a goal If
q race is to be run, there must be a
crown if q victory is to be won.
WHAT'S your goal. for what crown
are your striving? And in placing
these ideals before your minds eye
remember, that low aspirations and
low aims hit low marks. Therefore,
in the race upon which you are enter
ing on your own responsibility as
young men filed with hopes of the
future let your motives be pure, your
aspirations exalted, and your aims
high. Let the beacon light of your
existence in the full strength of your
MONDAY power and in the experience
of ripper years be duty nobly per-
formed, duties you owe as intelligent
and educated men to the social, po-