The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-09-12

Duiiuing OF the state and those things
which were for her welfare.
In closing Mr.. Manning stated tha,
he and Mrs. Manning wished person.
ally to express their gratitude and to
shake hands with every member OF
the audience and he asked every per-
son present to come to their home or
North Main street. AS he ceased the
band struck up Dixie and the cheer ne
was resumed, nor did it die out un-
TIL Mr.. Manning and Mrs. Manning
had left the 81 ounds in their float,
escorted by their guard Of infantry
and horsemen.
when the float, drawn by two black
horses, on which MIR. and Mrs. Man.
ming were riding reached the band
stand, 1t circled around it amid the
cheers of the people. Mr.. Manning
was lifted down and carried to the
stand and Mrs. Manning was escorted
from the vehicle to the stand by gen.
tlemen Of the committee. The two
were seated on the stand together sur
rounded by the members of the com.
mittee and the band.
The big parade started at the Gra-
ham monument at the corner of Main
street and Oakland avenue and there
were more than a thousand people
participating in it, with several thou
sand lined up along the sidewalk,
cheering as 1t passed by. indicating
the general feeling of exultation DOS
sessing the people of Sumter and sur
rounding counties. leading the pa
rade were City Manager w. f. Rob-
ertson and Chief of Police j. II. sum-
ter on horseback. After them cam,
the Sumter Light Infantry and the
Sumter band. The fire der,rtment
the wagons brilliantly lighted with
torches and fuses. The police depart
ment and a squadron of fifty horse
''Cn came next anu were followed
by several hundred men and boys in
line. all of them carrying torches.
which brilliantly illuminated the
as they passed along. Closing
the procession were several hundred
and vehicles going two
abreast of each other. The parade
was strung out for distance of
nearly half mile and was one OF
the biggest and most spectacular ever
seen I'm Sumter.
The line continued up Main street
to Warren Street, where it waited
until the Sumter Light Infantry ad-
vanced to Mr.. Manning's residence,
where he and Mrs. Manning were
placed on their gaily decorated float
and escorted back TO Warren street
thence to Washington and to the
graded school square, the crowd
cheering at intervals along the way.
On one side of the float on which Mr.
and Mrs. Manning rode was this in
scription: "All Hail to Richard l..
Manning" On the other side was this
"He will be governor Of
all the people,
Following the band was a lad car
rying a banner bearing the significant
Governor Il. /. Manning"
Coming near the rear Of the process
sion were six men carrying u minia-
turc caskct, as If bearing q coffin to
the grave. a placard displayed by
them stated: THE remains Of Blease-
ISM"
The celebration was generally join
ed in by the people of Sumter county,
and many from Lee and Clarendon
counties joined i'm the parade and
heard Mr.. Manning speak from the
band stand. showing that it was not
81 mere local affair but was the cX-
preston of people generally for a
desire for good government and show
ing their confidence i'm the governor
elect. Persons from every class Of
trade ana business and every political
belief were present and joined i'm the
cheering. showing that they were
tired of factionalism and wanted an
administration free from strife and
bitterness. as Mr.. Manning had stated
After Mr.. and Mrs. Manning hat
been escorted back tn their residence
an informal reception was tcndcrc,
by them to more than u thOuSan,
persons, who called in compliance
with their expressed wish. The guests
were introduced to Mr.. and Mrs. Man
ming. who expressed heir thanks
Guests continued To come for scvcrn
hours and showcrcd their congratula
tions upon the host and hostess. Re.
frcshmCnts were served to thc guest,
before they were allowed to depart.