The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-11-09

gress. We. in the old world, have
a very high regard for American
educational examples and in our
eyes the South Carolina teachers
viii hold proud place, if repre-
senting the western continent, they
can bring us another example in
this vital matter Of the alliance Of
peace and education.
The following account of the ex-
ercises held at the little school in
Darlington May 1S, 1899. was fur
nished by visitor to the school.
It is interesting in this connection
to know that, although a score of
states are ahead of South Carolina
in forming these school peace
leagues, and having their legisla-
lures declare May 1S holiday, yet
South Carolina not only leads in
the conception that the day should
be set apart as a holiday, but that
the school should observe it by cele-
brations Of a decidedly instructive
character, for Mrs. Andrews, prob
ably the best informed person in
America on this subject, so declar-
ed when she was in Columbia, and
earnestly begged that the matter be
written up for publication through
opt the world, and declared that
she would take great pleasure in
doing this work for South Carolina.
This was upon her learning, in Co
1umbia, that a school in the city of
Darlington, of which Col. John j.
Dargan was principal, made thor
ough preparation for the celebra-
ton of the day on the very day
that The Hague conference met in
Holland, May Is, 1899. She, at
her request. was shown a newspaper
account of this meeting, from
which report of the meeting the
following words are taken YER
batim, appearing the day after in
the Darlington Courier:
"on the 18th inst. I had the
pleasure of attending. the exercises
of Colonel Dargan's school. 1t was
a treat rarely offered our town, and
one that will be long remembered
by those, present. It was on the
same day that the worlds peace
conference met at The Hague. Ow-
ing to illness, the speaker who was
expected to deliver the address be-
fore the school was not present. e.
G.. Lide read several passages of
Scripture, all bearing on universal
peace and good will, as taught by
the great Prince Of Peace. His
remarks also were most 1appro-
pirate. Several others; gave US elo-
quent talks On the great theme.
which were listened to with keenest
interest. and attentions The walls
of the school room were covered
with portraits of statesmen, phil
osephers,e historians, poets and he
roes. both ancient and modern. 1t
was surprising to see how readily
the pupils answered all questions
relating to them, seeming perfect
ly familiar with their renown, etc.,
even the youngest children answer
ing, without hesitation, any ques-
ton. Each one read some selec-
ton, filed with grand and SUBJ
lime thought all tending toward
that great aim of mankind-peace
and happiness. 1t would be useless
TO undertake to judge which was
the best selection, or which the
best read; for, in that case, each
individual one would be named, as
it was all perfect.
'1It is a pleasure to see the thor
oughness of the preparation, the
good training carried or. Here we
see noble thoughts, lofty sentiments
and high aspirations instilled,
which will be influences for good,
and will bear their golden fruit in
ages to come. Like a vibration of
air that can not be stopped, that
can not be swerved from its course,
but goes-on. on. ever on. A mas
ter spirit guides and direct. here
with an ease, gentleness and i'm
pressiveness that is wonderful. Long
may he be spared to carry on the
great work of preparing the young
to take their places in the world
good and true men and women.
Taken in all, the occasion was
most enjoyable, entertaining and
instructive. Visitor"
Representatives of the South
Carolina Teachers association at
Boston in 1904 and at New York in
1907 distributed among the dele
gates circulars which contained ex-
pressions from South Carolina on
the question of universal peace.
These circulars contained pic
lures Of John c. Calhoun, Hugh S.
.Legare, James L. Petigru and Hen
ry Timrod and also excerpts from
speeches made by these men. and
two poems by Timrod. These cir
culars were widely read and arous-
ed considerable interest in the SUBJ
ject.
The following account of the
peace congress held at Presbyterian
church in Hartsville is ;aken from
a newspaper of the state:
THE meeting in the Presbyter-
ian church on last Sunday night in
the interest of the peace congress
to convene in Boston next week