The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-01-19
COL. LAURENS
HONORED
Portrait of Revolutionary Hero
Unveiled Yesterday
FORMALLY PRESENTED
TO THE STATE
Exploits of Famous Charleston
ian Recalled After Long
Lapse of Years


meral--famc and the famous as
wcn," wrote A.arcus Aurelius and
ShAkspere thought There's hope "a
great mans memory may outlive his
life half a year"-yet yesterday south
Carolina paused 1SS years after
the death OF John Laurens. the Bay
ard OF America" To unveil his por-
trait and after the lapse OF years to
again recount the exploits of this
South Carolinian, more than soldier
and just less than sage" that men,
ory might take them Ito her cavcrns,
pure and deep"
The portrait. painted by A. Ed
munds, gifted artist who died IN
Columbia ten years ago, was COM
pleted I'm 1910 and was first placed
in the state library. from where it
was removed several years later 10
be hung on the south wall of the
house, of representatives. The house
OF representatives and the senate in
1911, after hciring the report OF Gov
ernor Ansel and Commissioner Oar
gan. who had been entrusted with the
securing OF u suitable portrait. pass
ed concurrent resolution. providing
for committee, which was to ar
range date and program for the
presentation and acceptance of, the
portrait. The resolution also provid-
cd that Woodrow Wilson "of New
Jersey" be invited TO address the gen
erai assembly OH that occasion. Mr..
Wilson was unable To- attend and
other difficulties arising. the intend
ed presentation was not carried out.
President Wilson was also invited TO
attend the ceremonies yesterday but
could not be present. he wrote. be-
cause OF Al health. President elect
Harding was also extended an invi-
tation but could not attend.
by very interesting Providcncc."
the portrait commission i'm its report
To the general assembly ten years
ago pointed cut. this picture, full
length portrait of the Revolutionary
hero. 'the artists finest and most
valued achievement. was his last"
John j. Dargan, "a member of the
original portrait commission, opened
the exercises In the hall of the house
Of representatives yesterday after
noon, calling the meeting % order
and presenting the Rev. L. l.. Car
hslc. ID. ID. pastor OF the W ashington
street Methodist church, who deliv-
cred the Invocation. Commissioners
Dargan then Introduced Commission
er w. "A. Clark. who presided ut
the, ceremonies. In short address
Mr.. Clark called attention TO the
friendship OF Gen. George Washing
ton and Colonel Laurcns, who was
member OF the generals staff. and
quoted Washington's judgment of
Laurens, In a word he had not "A
fault that 1 ever could discover, un-
less intrepidity, bordering upon
rashness could come under that de-
nomination, and to this ne was eX-
cited by the purcst motives The
only monument now standing to Col
onel Laurens' memory. Mr. Clark
said. was an humble one on his faith
er's plantation. Eve have forgotten
the greatness OF the man." the speak
er said
The portrait was unveiled by Miss
Henriette DuBose Dargan of States
burg and Lily Virginia Clark Will
Nnson OF Columbia.
Thomas II. Cothran, speaker OF the
house. then read the report Of the
portrait commission. which Former
Governor Ansel and Commissioner
Dargan prepared ten years ago. pre-
senting the portrait to Governor
Cooper and through him TO the people
OF South Carolina.
Governor Cooper accepted the gift
I'm short address. describing Col
onel Laurens as the man who accom-
plished more for America than any
other man. who lived at that time or
since" Laurens' securing Of sue.
COM from France. the governor said.
did nothing less than save the cause
OF American independence.
Mrs. Rufus FAINT, president of the
South Carolina Federation of Wo-
mems Clubs. introduced Mrs. \. o.
Piowden. vice president OF the fed
Grafton. who delivered "a short en-
comiun OF iAIurcns as "A soldier. gen
tleman and diplomat Mrs. John II.
Sloan of the Daughters of the Revo-
luton read the sonnet Liberty"
composed by Colonel Iaurens on his
death bed
The meeting ended with the bcnc-
'dietior. pronounced by the Rev. Kirk
'man G.. Finlay, rector of Trinity
Episcopal church.
Selected choirs of Columbia college
md ChicOra college girls sang a
[uumber OF songs. which with pa
Euiotic selections by the Seventh en-
kaincers' band from Camp Jackson.
[wcre intersperscd throughout the
|program.
II The hall was packed with spccta-
|xors during the exercises. Mai GCn.
II. H. Hines and Brig. Gen. l.. G.. Nc
kfcxander both being present with
heir stats. John lAureus OF Char
eton, veteran OF the Thirticth di-
Non and n grand nephew of Col
I.9urens. also attended thc corc-
needing the exercises IN the
House "a parade OF soldiers
nmD Lack snn Cnnfrdrrnfn VT