Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1909-08-04

2
success of the meeting that WIS
held at Harmony last year in tie
interest of temperance and good
citizenship, and realizing how great
I. and lasting have been the benefits
derived from that meeting, it has
by common consent been agreed to
make this picnic an ANIMAL occasion.
q And much to the qualification Of
the promoters of the undertaking
the meeting of last week easily sur
passed from every standpoint the
initial meeting of a year ago. The
attendance was third larger, being
Z conservatively estimated at upwards
of 1000. Bearden's brass band was
better suited to outdoor perform
ance than the orchestra of last year.
The addresses were made by some
of the ablest men that the country
affords. The department of the
great throng was nothing short OF
the ideal. Not word was uttered
nor an-act committed by anyone
that marred even in the slightest
degree the harmony and pleasure OF
the day.
AS was referred to, by the speak
ers, one should need no more con-
vincing evidence of the value Of
prohibition, or of the wisdom dis
;;sissplayed by the people of this county
in voting out liquor, than the per-
feet order that prevailed at Harmo-
nv last Thursday. Instead of disor-
der existing. spirit of cordial,
good fellowship seemed to permeate
the atmosphere. The tone and spirit
OF the meeting were exceedingly
beautiful:
Rev. B.J. Guess5acted as chair
. man Of the meeting, and called, up, 4,
8son On Rev. q. 5P. Burgess IS open the
q 4. exercises with prayer. At the re
Quest of the chairman, Judge }. w.
DeYore introduced Dir. S. G. Mitch
ell president of the South Carolina
University, as the first speaker. I
Dr. s. C. Mitchell
DIR. Mitchell's subject was Civic
Spirit In the outset he thanked
every man and woman who had a
part in making such a meeting pos
sible. He said that South Carolina
;s more thoroughly alive than ever
before. As he travels up and down
the state be, sees unmistakable evi-
: dence of progress, not ephemeral
but permanent progress. The people
are back of the good roads move
.ment that will ultimately carry a
good road to every farmers door;
rural telephones are forming net
work over the state; rural free de-
livery mail service is being extend
ed; interurban railway lines are
being built; the rural schools are
being improved, and demonstration
farms are giving a new impetus
to agricultural pursuits. Said he:
ssGod speed the things that are on
foot to help the farmer, the back
bone of the country"
Concerning education, DR.. Mitch
ell said that the man or woman WHO
81 loyal to the neighborhood school is
the best friend Of education. Next In
LOYALTY must come the high
school, and thatif they are loyal to
these they will likewise be-loyal to
the higher institutions. He realizes
what it is for youth to struggle
for an education. His father was a
Confederate soldier from Mississip-
pi, and owing to the ravages of
war. DIR. Mitchell was out of school
between the years of 10 and IL.
He was inspired as young man
by being presented with a book on
a train by gentleman, the title OF
y which was, Friend, Go up higher" !"
These words had been ringing In
his ears all down through the years.
DR.. Mitchell said concerning the
..Civic Spirit" whether it be tenn
perance, improved schools, better
roads, better mail facilities, more
rapid means of communication, I'M
proved agricultural conditions, all
mean Go up higher. .
Here in the South we have three
oreat institutions: lst the Home,
and to these sweet homes noted for
their purity and out of which men
and women who rule the
country have come" DR.. Mitchell
paid a very beautiful tribute. The
second is the church, and the speak.
er said it is the churches perched
e upon the hills that have led in civic
life. They are free from politics and
beckon the people up higher. Inc
third institution is the state. Dr.
Mitchell said Il want to labor to {.
strengthen these great institutions.
he next spoke at length OF the
community life. Whereas before
the war there were large plantaa
s lions he himself having been
reared on one containing 1900