The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-06-02


ter William b. withers Releases
E1~gs About Memorial.
washington. ID. c.. Herald. May 81.
A. . victor of peace. enshrined
among memorials to warriors and
civic heroes. the statue of John With
errpoon. Presbyterian minister and
sisnsr Of the Declaration of Indepen-
dcnce. was yesterday unveiled amid
dramatic surroundings.
Witherspoon. representing the
spirit Of patriotism. learning. and re-
.1tGion. now stands In the heart of the
National Capital. In the century and
che country 30 often regarded as ma
tsrialistlc.'' sand Commissioner Nc
Farland Just before Master william
Withers, the youngest descendant of
us patriot released the flags draped
abcut the monument and displayed
the bronze enisy.
Perhaps the most notable feature
Of the ceremonies was the manner In
which Right Hon. James Bryce re-
spoadsd with an address. and diplo-
matically treated the delicate task os
honorins one who has been termed In
xnsiish history "a politici Il firebrand
<who perhaps had no less share In the
revolution than Washington i,lm-
oslf."
The Ambassador did not discuss
Withsrspoon's political action. fear
me- that he might be led thereby into
= controvsrsial field. in which "a man
Who holds q middle position is sure to
givs dlssatisfaction to those who hold
oztreme vicws on both sides"
The preliminary services and ad-
drsssss were conducted In the Church
Of the Covenant. where were gathered
number Of direct descendants of the
noted divine and scores of prominent
c1tissns ahNd members of the diplo.
nstio crops.
Arranged In artistic profusion the
banpers Of Princeton University were
sntwin>d with American fass and
streamsrs Of Glue and white ribbon.
Hundreds Of miniature lights cast a
psiliiAnt e6ulsence over the auditor
Hpm rejecting the spirit OF triumph
'enee sesmsd uppermost In the breasts
>ef AUDITORS. s
without the sdinces grouped in
srowds about the res, ryation at the
intersection Of Connecticut avenue.
Eisht<enth and \ streets. hupdreds
1 citizens walled to witness the cii-
\ snax of the exsseises. The Marine
Band ~ Intervals played patriotic
airs that were carried on the 'reeze
and waftsd In through the windows
pf TIE church.
4 Iormsf Secretary Of state John W.
voo(sr was chairman OF the affair.
lend with IN apparent air Of triumph
ist the conclusion OF the efforts that
lhave resulted IN the dedication Of the
sentue, he opened the ceremony at
sac o'clock. Brilliant and stirring.
each Of the speeches expressed the
sentiment Of loyalty that was charac-
tsristic Of DR.. John witherspoon In
his labors TO effect the independence
of the American colonies.
Distinctly a Presbyterian affair. the
festivities were enhanced In brilliancy
~ the address OF DIR. Woodrow Will
son. president of Princeton Universi-
". and successor OF John Wither-
spoon. The educator stirred his hear
ere with a clear. concise interpreta-
tion OF the life and character Of the
man about to be honored. and paid
ftting tribute to his predecessor.
who had advocated "a permanent and
weil-planned confederacy among the
states OF america that may hand
down the blessings OF peace and pub
lie order to many generations"
Vice President Sherman, on behalf
OF the American people paid homage
20 the theologian and incidentally
commended Ambassador Bryce for his
masnanimity shown In attending the
exercises.
Mr.. Fosters remarks were warmly
appiauded. and his reverent tribute TO
Rev. DR.. Tennis s. Hamiln. late pas
tor OF the Church Of the Covenant,
who conceived the project and select
ed the site. war termed appropriate 10
the occasion. He said: THE last act
OF DR.. Hamlin's life was visit 70
New York to confer with artists for
the execution OF the work. Within
less than two and a half years from
it, incention. the first erected I'm the