The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-27
FAREWELL TO ST. HELENA.
INTERESTING CEREMONIES HELD
ABOARD BELGIAN RELIEF
SHIP.
Gov. Manning, Mayor Grace, and
Others Make Speeches-Executive
Has Cordial Reception from Char
lesion People.

children took advantage of to-
days perfect weather conditions To
attend the farewell ceremonies" i'm
which Gov. Manning. Mayor Grace and
representatives of the central Bel
gian relief committee for the United
States. the state committees of South
Carolina. Georgia, North Carolina and
the local committee bade God speed
TO the Georgia Carolina Belgian relief
ship. the British steamer st. Helena,
now loading mdny tons of provisions
at the foot OF Columbus street.
From the deck OF the st. Helena
Gov. Manning delivered his first
speech I'm Charleston as chief execu-
tive. The governor took occasion to
address a few words TO the people OF
Charleston as citizens OF South Caro-
lima. He was enthusiastically receiv-
ed and heartily applauded at fire.
duent intervals during his address.
At the conclusion of the mornings
exercises. Gov. Manning stood at the
foot OF the gangway from the wharf
TO the steamer and shook hands with
the members OF the departing crowd
Just north OF the Swedish steam
ship Alderban. the st. Helena lay
alongside the wharf this morning. all
work OF loading stopped temporarily,
mast and rigging decked in holiday at
tire. Flags OF every description fiut-
tered from her In the breeze, notable
among them the red and white ban
ners OF the Belgian relief commits
sion. About the railing OF the upper
deck aft. from which vantage point
the speakers OF the day addressed the
crowds below them. was draped In
white bunting with red lettering:
Commission Belgian Relief"
From the lower deck aft and the
pier and sheds of the terminal the as
sembled crowd heard the speakers.
The programme OF the day as pre-
pared by the Charleston Ad club was
carried through without hitch. Fa-
vorable weather conditions deferred
not a whit from the spirit OF the occa-
sion which was so ably and pleasantly
characterized by the numerous speak
ers who strobe to the railing of the
Il. Hslena's upperdeck and addressed
the crowd for a very few minutes at
a time.s
With w. s. Lanneau. president of
the Charleston Ad Club. acting as
master OF ceremonies. six speakers
were introduced and completed their
addresses In the space OF IS mintes
The CITADEL band rendered well Sc
lected music. and the sole remaining
accompaniments to the programme
that was carried out beneath a spring
like heaven were the click OF the mov-
ing picture apparatus and the occasion
OF sharp salute from the whistle OF a
passing launch.
The speeches delivered were In the
following order: Introductory remarks
by Mr.. Lanneau. Mayor Grace. George
w. Williams. chairman OF the local
relief committee; Bruce w. Ravenel.
vice chairman of the South Carolina
relief committees Dr. F.. T.. May chair
man OF the Georgia relief committee; ;
Jefferson Davis. representing the New
York central committee. commission
Belgian relief; and Gov. Manning.
George W. Williams. chairman OF
the Charleston committee for Belgian
relief. was the first speaker
Bruce Walker Ravenel of Column
bia. vice chairman OF the South Caro-
lima central Belgian relief committee
"A native of Charleston. told OF the in
ccption. progress and successful cul-
mination OF the movement which has
resulted thus far In the accumulation
OF more than enough supplies to nll
the holds OF the first Georgia Carolina
ship to the distressed Of Belgium
Mr.. Ravenel stated that the plan In
cluded from the very outset the load
ing and sailing OF such vessel from
tho port OF Charleston. He told OF
the broadcast plan of appeal To the
state. and remarked the high tribute
which their generosity and big-heart-
edness has paid the three states of
the donors of the II. Helena's cargo.
Including a most beautiful contri-
button of cash from Charleston. the
state OF South Carolina raised for this
cargo. I'm round numbers. $4,000 and
n list Of food supplies that covers II
pages or typewritten paper" said Mr..
Ravenel. He touched upon the per-
manent organization recently effected
by the commission for Belgian relief
which for South Carolina has os its
.lsa.As