The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-04-17

ideas as to the relation Of society to
education adorned his magnificent
address as do jewels adorn an impe-
rial crown; they should be as guiding
stars to those who were so fortunate
as to hear him and fathon the depths
of his theme.
It is to be hoped that both Miss
starke's and Mr.. Haynswortn's ad-
dresses will be brought before the
public in our daily newspapers.
Miss Theo. Dargan in the following
brief, but inspiring, address encours
aged her co-workers in their i'm
provement and efforts:
Teachers: My words shall be few.
You need no exhortation to lead to
perseverance in the great, good work
we have undertaken. Rural schools
must bring such attractions to rural
communities, as when adder to those
charms nature provides in such af-
fluence, will render country life the
healthiest and happiest Of the world;
so that the present excited and ira
tional rush to towns will then give
way to a healthier growth for them.
That difficulties, delays and harsh
trials beset your path in this work
needs no assertion. These we must
expect as reasonable human beings,
And when they come, if we stand,
brave and true, they will only stimu-
late our energies and stregthen and
deepen our purpose to bring our task
to complete success. Indifference,
selfish opposition, short-sighted
dissent from your plans will all come
as you toll upward with your bur-
dens; but:
Happy she whose inward ear
Angels whisperings can hear
Above the babble's laughter.
And when hatref S faggots burn
Ghmpses through the smoke discern
OF the good hereafter
One Of the most striking features
Of this meeting, perhaps, is that it
was. held in an institution remarka-
BILE forts beauty and rapidity of
growth.
The General Sumter Memorial
Academy, whose very door looks out
upon the grave Of the great Carroll
nian, Gen. Thomas Sumter; in whose
honor the institution has been named.
is doubtless the most typical rural
school in our State. Having been
founded less than three years ago by
Col. John J. Dargan, it has fourished
beyond expectations and bids fair to
possibilities conceived by only mi
nority of those interested in the
progress and welfare Of the inStitu-
ton. Any teacher in Sumter county
could not have made a greater mis-
take than that of absenting himself
or herself: from this meeting, and it is
much to be regretted that, although
ample provision had been made by
Col. Dargan and his co-worhers for
the transportation Of teachers from
the railway stations in the vicinity OF
the school, several Of the vehicles re-
turned without teachers, whom the
members of the association had been
led to expect would be present. These
teachers have only themselves to
blame, and will only regret that they
were not present.
Teachers of the rural districts OF
South Carolina who are interested in
the up-buildlng OF tnelr schools
would be doubly repaid in making a
visit to this model Of rural schools
While the institution is probably
more desirably situated than some
country schools Of the State, in that
it is surrounded by historic spots, an(
stands as a beacon light to dreamer>
Of intellectual distinction, on one o1
theanost beautiful knolls that crowns
one Of the so historic hills that mark
the homes Of those Carolinians whose
names are immortal-Sumter, Pinck-
ney and Anderson; but nature has
been aided by human advancement
in making this school beautiful; SC
can any rural school be improved.
The school in question is surround
ed by a profusion of natures beauties
which in it's state has been brought
from a tangled mass Of vegetation t"
a most beautiful part. The artistic
genius of woman has added her deli