Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1917-04-18
Mass Meeting in the Interest of
Civic Preparedness.

| SistS ASpoiSouSoS.
A mass meeting was held in the
courthouse Tuesday in the interest
of civic preparedness. Considering
the heavy demand that is being
made upon the farmers by the back
ward condition of all farm work,
the attendance was large. Practi-
. cally every section Of the county
was represented by thoughtful, in
telligent men, who carried enthusl-
asm back to their respective COM
munities, and will arouse interest on
the part of their neighbors.
The meeting was organized by
the election of Il. Minis chairman
and O. B. Anderson secretary. By
request of the chairman, Ex-
John G. Sheppard stated the object
of the meeting and Rev. A. L. Gun
ter invoked Divine blessings upon
the occasion. The first speaker pre-
sented was Mr.. F. H. Hyatt of Co.
lumbia, who was present by request
of Governor Manning. Being a
practical and successful business
man, Mr.. Hyatt with telling effect
made an earnest appeal to the peo-
pie of Edgefeld county to devote
more time and effort to the produc-
tion of food crops, dwelling upon
the possibility of food famine in
this country. Mr.. Hyatt was fol-
lowed by Hon. D. S. Henderson of
Aiken, who is we'll known and high
ly esteemed throughout Edge6eld
county. Mr.. Henderson began with
the outbreak of the European war,
relating what he saw of the nobili-
zation of troops in Paris and Lon
don when, accompanied by his wife,
he was returning from a tour of
Europe in August, 1914. He fol-
lowed the progress of the war up to
the present time, and briefly review
ed the attitude of the present ad-
ministr alton in Washington, telling
how, after the most strenuous ef-
forts on the part Of President Will
son to avoid war, this country fin
ally became involved. He urged
upon his hearers the imperative ne
cessity of awaking to the serious
ness of the situation and prepare for
the duties and burdens that the
great worldwide struggle will i'm
pose. He expressed confidence in
the men and women of Edgefeld to-
day, believing that they would be
true to the traditions of the past
and do their full part in meeting the
crisis that is on. He closed by
urging the people at home to pre-
pare for the needs of those at the
front, and also to provide for the
Allies of Europe who need food
stuffs from America. His last words
! were an earnest appeal to stand by
the brave people of France who
stood by our forebears during the
Revolution.
DR.. E. Pendleton Jones responded
in eloquent words to request to
address the meeting. He said he
felt that he can consistently urge
our people to measure up to their
duty, as his grandfathers fought in
the Revolution and his father and
three uncles rendered service in the
War Between the States, and that
he has three sons who have been do
ing duty on the Mexican border.
At the conclusion of the addresses,
the chairman appointed committee
of representative citizens, consisting
of one from each rural community,
to take up the work of organizing
the county along the line of civic
preparedness.
Major J. M. Richardson of Aiken
was present and urged the young
men present who contemplate en-
listing to attend the government
training school at Plattsburg, N. Y.
setting forth the advantages to be
gained by such course.
The meeting to-day has been pro-
nounced success from every stand
point, and it is believed that lasting
benefit will result from it. The
thanks of all present were rendered
Mr.. Hyatt and Mr.. Henderson for
their presence and helpful addresses.
The following were appointed to
take up the work in the different
rural commuties:
T. w. Lamb, Red Oak Grove;
Walter H. Smith, Harmony; L. R.
Brunson, Cleora; H. E. Quarles,
Red Hill; w. ]. Gaines, Mt. Zion;
D. T. Mathis, Golfers; J. E. Cul-
lum, Long Branch; G. G. Jones, An
tioch; F. L. Zimmerman, Pleasant
u