The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-10-24
Two NOTABLE ADDRESSES,
DIR. suNES AND CONGRESSMAN
LEVER BRING MESSAGES OF
PATRIOTISM AND SER.
VICE.
Patriotic Mass Meeting Under the
Auspices Of the County Council Of
Defense Attended by Large Grove,
speeches Were of Exceptional
Exceilcncc--i'cople OF Sumter De-
clare Their Loyalty.

4
loyalty to the American government
and the ideals of liberty and democ
racy for which it stands were the out
standing features of the notable ad
dresses delivered at the Mass mcetin,
OH the Court House Square today b,
DIR. i. w. Skies. President of Cokel
College. and Hon. A. r. Lever, Req
resentative in Congress from the Sew
enth District. They spoke words O
sober earnestness and the large crow,
heard them with close attention ant
receptive ears. The people are Just BE.
ginning to realize the tremendou.
gravity of the situation that now con
fronts all the world and when the,
have an opportunity to hear the prob
lens of the day discussed with author.
ity by men who have given the sub
ject close study they do not turl
aside. The Council of Defense O
Sumter County has done a great dea
OF useful work for tho public goot
since 1t was organized last spring
but nothing that it has done in tn,
past was of as great importance O
of as much value to this communit,
as the mass meeting held today.
brought at least one thousand loya
men and women together i'm a pa
| triotic assembly TO hear two Iowa
Americans tell of the duties. privil
eyes and responsibilities that rest up
on each and every citizen; and tn
message that they received shoul,
hcarten and encourage and inspir
eoch and every one to greater loyalt.
and greater service.
The meeting was called to order b,
County Chairman A. c. Phelps, VIII
called upon DIR. w e. Thayer to OF
fer the invocation. Chairman Phelp
then introduced DIR. Skies. DR.
Skies spoke for less than an hour, bu
within that brief space of time he re
viewed the origin and development
of the Prussian military autocracy, it.
crimes against human liberty. de
mocracy and civilization. He shove
how the Prussian system had destroy
ed all that was admirable. lovable an,
worthy or repsect in the Germa'
character. how IL had up-rooted tn
Golden Rule and had substituted 4. /
It's place the teaching Of Bismarc
that might is right. to be enforced By
the policy Of blood and iron. Thi
hut epitomizes the dominant though
OF DIR. Skies address. which he elab
Grated and drove homo with elo
quence. earnestness and convncini
logic. Taken altogether his addres
was one of the most convincing an,
inspiring that it has ever been tn
privilege of a Sumter audience
hear. 1t was mastery presentation
OF great theme by a nan filled witt
the fire of patriotism and the spirl
of service for God and country.
Mr.. Lever was introduced by Mayo
l. ID. jennings. who promised his i'm
troductry remarks with a reference,
to the Liberty loan campaign and tn
work that the banks are doing t.
make the loan success i'm Sumtc
county. He appealed to the peopl.
To do their duty and to help to Wi
the war for America by rendering ai
the support possible to the govern
ment.
Mr.. Lever spoke Tor more than al
hour and the attention Of his aud
ience never tagged for moment. H.
reviewed the war situation and ou;
lined the events that forced the gov
ernment by act Of congress to de
clare that state Of war existed. He
asserted that the United States ar
engaged I'm war OF defense and a
righteous war that only traitors an,
towards oppose or attempt to hamp
er. He was unsparing in denounL-
ing those who attack the administra.
tion or by other disloyal acts and ut
tcrances render aid and comfort
the German autocracy that has fiji
ed this country with spies and agent.
OF destruction. He called upon tn,
people Of Sumter county to be trut
to their traditions and stand stead
fast I'm loyalty I'm service to the gov
; ernment I'm the army and by lendiG,
their money to the last dollar i
the need for IL arises Mr.. Love-
was never more earnest nor NOR,
forcible in the presentation OF tn
message that he had for his constitu