The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-06-24

"~c IhC ASouiA6 COIIoh county, WltO
117.S37 bales ginned. Bolivar county,
Mississippi, was the only other county
ginning more than 100000 bales, it's
total being 102. .S38 bales. -
..-.e...-----.
out a hope that there would be no
war, for there might be. But he
called attention to the fact that the
step taken by President Wilson was
not step towards seizure Of the
country or invasion, but merely for
the protection of the Mexicans them
selves and of citizens Of the United
States. He knew that the company
would be met by proud and hap
py people on it's return to the city.
DR.. r. S. Truesdale Of Trinity
Methodist church stated that he was
an advocate OF peace and had preach
ed peace sermons, but that it made his
blood boil when he heard Of what had
been done in the raid on Columbus
and he thought that tho president
was right when he sought to restore
order in Mexico. even by force OF
arms. as that was the only seeming
way OF restoring peace. He paid a
beautiful tribute to "Old Glory" and
the spirit of American citizenship,
which was already to defend the
weak and to hold up their rights. He
hoped that the members of the Sum-
ter Light Infantry would keep in
mind the fact that they were going
against downtrodden. oppressed ma
ton, ignorant and superstitious and
that their idea Of democracy would
be kept in mind, and that never would
they touch a Mexican mother, child
or helpless man, save in sympathy and
to help them.
Secretary e. I. Reardon expressed
his willingness to go. If he was need
cd and stated that he felt sure that
the Sumter men would shed glory up
on their country, their State and city.
He made few remarks. although not
expecting to speak, which were we'll
received by the audience.
The Rev. j. p. Marion, pastor Of
the Presbyterian church, referred to
the fact that he had been associated
with the company as it's chaplain for
the past five years. He stated that
he would be untrue to his Office
If he did not give q few words
of advice to the members Of the COM
pany. II am sorry that the call has
come for you."I "Ihe said. ""as 1 believe
that the work Of construction is great
er than that of destruction. and the
preservation Of life better than the
taking of 1t; but since the call has
come for you. am glad to see you
respond SO promptly and willingly to
the call to duty. 1 believe that the
call would not have been issued had
President Wilson not deemed it abso-
lutely necessary, after viewing the
situation from all sides." Mr.. MAJ
rion then went on to say that he
hoped that they would not have to go
into Mexico and to warn them of the
class of people against whom they
were going, showing that feeling of
hatred or malice was not proper
against them. He wanted the men,
bers of the company to see their duty
and to go about it quietly and see it
well performed. He had two requests
to make. which he hoped they would
well consider, although he knew that
some might sneer when they were
made. He did not believe that any
member Of the Sumter Light Infan-
try would sneer, or receive the request
except in the same spirit in which
they were made. He asked that each
man take along with him a copy of
his Bible and that he be not ashamed
20 pray and pray. He referred to
Stonewall Jackson as an example of
praying general" and stated that
they could not do better than follow
his example. He asked that they re-
member the brotherhood movement
In war as we'll as in peace. If thew
went into Mexico.
Mr.. Scarborough stated that it was
hoped that large number of Sum-
ter people be at the train on Saturday
morning when the company left for
Styx to bid them farewell.
After prayer by Rev. r. s. Trues.
dale. the meeting was adjourned.