The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-07-26
Veterans in Greenwood
Annual Reunion Attended by
Nearly Five Hundred Old Con-
federates

federates
Greenwood July PA gray clad
army, 500 strong, commanded by Maj
Gen. w. A. Clark of Columbia invaded
Greenwood today. the occasion being
the annual reunion of the South Caro-
lima. Division, United Confederate Vet
erans Never was city more peace
fully and joyfully occupied. "A finer
set OF men never walked Gods green
earth" declared DR.. John O. Wilson,
president of Lander College, in a few
chosen words of welcome to the
veterans. Representatives of every Or
ganization, business, municipal and
professional in Greenwood told them
| Of the city's pride in having them as
guests. Responses by representatives
of veterans, sons Of veterans and
| Daughters of the Confederacy left no
doubt that the visitors were just as
| happy to be here. Gov. Robert A.
Cooper greatly pleased the large aud
! ience when in a short address at the
afternoon session he declared that the
Confederate soldier is loyal today as
| he was in 1861 and that the cause Tor
has become principle now with
majority of the nations of the world.
The governor said that he had had
abundant opportunity to test the pa
triotism of the veterans in Red Cross
and Liberty loan drives in all sections
of South Carolina last year when he
| found that every single Confederate
soldier had the fighting spirit and
showed no respect for the citizen
who was not 100 per cent for his
country.
Discussing the question Of State
rights the governor said that he be-
! lieved in the constitution Of the faith
ers as understood by Jefferson and
| Madison and that if he could so
| change things he would tie to that
stake. He pointed out that every po-
sition in the sectional issue maintain
ed by the South was upheld by the
constitution and sustained by the su-
preme court The doctrine of State
rights has never been repudiated. The
Confederate soldier. said the chief
executive. has taught the world not
only how to fight but how to die, and
and Jackson had been adopted in all
succeeding wars. 'The martial spirit
of 81 had exhibited itself on the 9TH
er side of the sea.
The governor issued a note of warn
ing against the threatening dispropor-
ton between material prosperity and
Educational facilities and pleaded for
an increase in every educational instl-
tuition in the State from top to bot
tom He also expressed deep anxiety
of the wave Of lawlessness. stating
that there had been homicide in the
State for every day in the year. and
calling upon all citizens to create
sentiment for law enforcement. He
asked each Individual to study the cit
uation seriously from his own reSpon-
sibility.
BY vote of IA to 13 a resolution
adopted at recent meeting OF Camp
Hampton in Columbia and presented
by Gen. Fuller Lyon, calling upon the
South Carolina division to appoint
committee of three to go before the
next session of the general assembly
and ask for repeal Of the pension act
proposed at the last session was tabl-
ed. The vote was taken from the
floor, all veterans being permitted a
voice. and came after a spirited and
some times heated debate for more
than two hours
The resolution. stated that the act
was .'ill advised and unjust" and
admits veterans who are not needy
while it reduces the amount OF those
who are in need of support.
General Lynn, General Walker and
Commander w. H. Yeldell. of Green
wood, were the leading spirits of the
resolution while pension Commission
er McLaurin. John NJ. Grier. of Green
Vile, and several others argued that
the law should stand as it is. Mr.
McLaurin stated that the pension sys-
tenn is being operated on a cheaper
basis than before the act was pro-
duced
Gen. c. Irvine Walker OF Charles
ton voted for the resolution stating
that he did so in accordance with in
structions from Camp Sumter OF
which he is member.
The city of Sumter has extended an
aviation to the veterans for the 1920
| reunion.
The feature of the morning exer-
cises was the annual oration OF Col
James Armstrong. member of the
editorial staff Of the Charleston News
and Courier who was introduced by
General Clark as the hero of many
battles and who bears on his person
wounds which will accompany him to
his grave Colonel Armstrong; ad-
dress abounded in wit and humor.
At the morning session WELDON as
| addresses were delivered by G. a.
Navs for Mayor Hartzog. Secretary
| Warren King. for the Chamber Of
| Commerce and DR.. John .. wilson,
/ Of COLLEGE,.