The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-05-20
THE CHAUTAUQUA.
From The Daily Item. May 1S.

from The Daily Item. May 16.
With the final session this evening
of the Redpath Chautauqua course
closes O memorable week In the his
tory OF Sumter. When in the early
winter the directors Of the Y. M. c..
A. decided to enter into a contract
with the Redpath Bureau for a Sc
ries OF Chautauqua entertainments.
extending throughout q week and COW
sring wide range Of subjects-mu-
sical. literary and educational-it was
felt that the undertaking was largely
experimental. that the Chautauqua
would DO on trial and that. IL 1t made
good. IL 1t pleased and satisfied the
people Of the community. IL 1t ap-
pealed to their tastes In things mu-
sical. the way would be made clear to
renew the contract for succeeding
years and to make the Chautauqua
week an annual event In this city.
The results have fully justified the
highest and most sanguine expecta-
tions Of the directors of the Y. M.
c. A. and the committee of fifty citi-
sens who guaranteed tho cost of the
weeks course Of entertainment. The
Chautauqua programme has pleased
tho people Of all ages. and the most
discriminating and critical are most
enthusiastic and have derived the
largest measure OF entertainment. in
struction and profit from the course.
From the initial number 1t was
realised by those qualified to form an
Intelligent and well considered opin-
lon. that II was not the Chautauqua
that was on trial, but the community,
and IL is to the credit Of the people
OF tho city and surrounding country
that 1t be said that they have meas
ured up to the test and by the sus-
tanned interest and daily growing ap-
probation Of the educational features
OF the cours' they have demonstrated
that Sumts as a whole has a healthy
ana virile appreciation Of what is
good. ennobling and uplifting in mu-
sic and literature. and a sincere and
practical interest In the great econom-
ic. social and religious problems that
engage the thought Of the great
leaders In these several phases of
present day developments and evolu-
tion.
The Chautauqua has been weicom-
cd az an opportunity Of getting into
touch with the widening and broad
ening intellectual life of the country;
and the men selected by the Redpath
Bureau to discuss the various topics
have not spoken to Indifferent or un-
appreciative audiences. The speakers
have brought messages that they
were prepared by thought. study and
experience to present clearly. forcibly
adm authoritatively. yet SO conser-
vatively. as to be oil the moro con-
vincins.
Aho HVouitS VI SudutduQua week
have been gratifying; those who de-
sire and seek wholesome and elevat-
Ing amusement, profitable. instruct
Ing. and broader outlook respecting
questions Of social and political i'm
portance. have received in full meas
ure what they sought. The pro-
gramme covered SO wide range of
subjects and was so varied in it's en-
tertainment features that all. from the
youngest child to the oldest, found
pleasure and profit each day.
The most gratifying reflection In
connection with Chautauqua week
that now comes to a close, is that 1t
will be repeated next year on a
larger and better scale. We part with
tho Chautauquans who have been with
US this week with regret. and q well
como awaits those who come to us
next spring.