The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-03-04
intellectual"-

genius, where was wrought forth the
powers of eloquence, the source OF
that ETHEREAL fire which quickens all
those who boast of refined and elevated
minds, and from whose brilliant genl
US you have derived your brightest
ornaments. It was her orators who
have perfected to the present moment
the powers and soul of eloquence. 1t
was her genius which produced the
sweetest concert of music, and budded
forth forms of woman S angelic beauty.
The warrior only brings to mind the
military genius displayed on the
plains of Marathon and Thermopylae
to know he must learn lessons from
the Grecian soldier in the science Of
war. The land which boasts of So
crates, Escus, Demosthenes, Mil
tiades, Plato and Homer, names which
will stand as monuments to her fame
'shigh as the mountains, firm as the
earth, and lasting as the heavens. "
This land who
From plain to mountain cone
Was freedoms home or glory's grave.
Greece in whose very name there is
magic, does not exceed in extent the
State of South Carolina.
And look at England of today; an
island not larger than Virginia, buried
in fogs and mist, a cold and uncon-
genial elaine, and naturally a sterile
soil; yet by the genius of her states
men, the valor of her soldiers, and the
enterprise of her citizens, she has
overcome all obstacles, and Great
Britain stands today one of the most, II
not the most powerful and influential
nation on earth. London, her capital,
is the largest and richest city in the
world without an exception, while
her ships whiten every sea, and her
commerce enters every port.
Now as Egypt was to Africa, Pales-
tine to Asia, Greece, Rome, and Eng
land to Europe, so let South Carolina
be to the rest of the United States.
Let her be the most progressive Of ell
the progressive states of the Union.
Let the Palmetto State be transformed
into thriving thrifty community, and
contend forSthe supremacy, and dom
mate this tremendous industrialism
that is unerringly and unmistakably
pointing Southwark. Cotton is
King and as she now leads in the
manufacture of this great staple of the
South; let her enter into this grand
era of universal prosperity with the
determination to excel in other enter
pises. The difficulties in the way may
seem Herculean but let US as Caucasi-
ans prove ourselves equal to the task.
We have mild climate, fertile soil
navigable streams, and eligible loca-
tion. Let US build up our waste
places, develop our natural resources,
let railroads connect every town,
steamboats, plough every river, tele-
graph and telephone wires communicte
with every hamlet, and our commerce
enter every port. Invite capital, arts
ans, mechanics and farmers to our
commonwealth. Then South Carolina
will become what she ought to be, the
wealthiest and most hourishing state
in the union. Then indeed will she
blossom as the rose, her hills and
valleys will TEEN with millions of
happy people and the sun of our pro-
sperity will arise in all of its grandeur
and oriental splendor and she will rise
and ride on her chariot throne to the
MONDAY glory of her national prosperi-
ty and greatness. But amidst the frui-
tion and realization of all this, no
phenominal or utopian dream, let it
ever be written of Sumter ''ES-
celsior. - H. I. A.