The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-06-16
LOUISIANA AND THE PARIS
EXPOSITION.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF MEDALS.

The bond of sympathy and fellow feeling
which, having its origin in the early
days of the colonization of Louisiana, has
cone down 10 these later days, strengthened
and Increased ten fold by the lapse Of time,
found at the Varieties last evening its
fullest display upon the occasion of the presen-
tation to the several successful Louisiana exhib.
itOrs at the Paris Exposition of the medals and
diplomas awarded them. The assemblage itself
was one of which the State might have just
reason to be proud. Upon the stage were seated
the commissioners from Louisiana to the Exposi-
tIon, the exhibitors the representatives. of foreign
powers and members of the press. In the center
sat Governor Baker, Mayor Conway and Gen.
Labuzan, representing the State, the city and the
mmissioners. In one of the stage boxes were
a lumber of the staff of the commanding general,
who himself had been detained from attending.
The decoration Of the theater was superb, aud
reflected the highest credit upon the tasts aud
energy of David Bidwel, Esq, who, as president
of the committee of arrangements, had been in
doiatIgabe in attending to all the preliminary de-
tails. The dress circle was beautifully draped in
festOons with the flags Of various nations. Above
the front center OF the stage, encircled by a
wreath of evergreens, was the word " Louisiana"
pendant in streamers beneath it. Upon either
side hung the national and State flags which, be-
tore the departure of Mr. Gotthiel aDd his CO
commissioners, had been presented them by Mrs.
l.. b. Collins, and which after waving over the
Louisiana cottage in the Exposition grounds have
been brought back, trophies, as it were, of the
honorable contest 10 which Louisiana took so sue
cessful part. ..
At eight O'Clock, Jseger's band, seated in the
orchestra. struck up the " Star Spangled Banner'
and called the audience TO an attention. Prof.
Alexander DimitTy, the orator of the evening, was
then introduced, and proceeded t1 deliver an ad'
cTess, full OF elOquence, and every word Of which
wss clothed with power and fervency. He spoke
of the dignity of labor, the immensty of the re-
suits for good which it might evolve from this
noble State of Louisiana, which even with its
ruined system of labor has taken so proud part
in the recent Exposition. He counseled each one
what part he might take in bringing about these
ends and dwelt in particular upon the duties of
mothers in educating their children even by their
nursery rhymes TO know and feel the necessity,
tie dis nifty of labor. An alluslOn in Prof. Dimi-
trys remarks to the services rendered by Mr.. Got
thiel Gale forth loud applause. and at the con.
cluson OF bis remarks the outburst Of enthusiasm
gave irresistible proof that the true words so
earnestly spoken had had their effect.
The orchestra played the duet from "NOrma,"
sfter which Mr.. GottheI, having been introduced,
read the following official report:
} our E1celsncy, Ladies and Ger tlemen:
This is the second anniversary of the day on which
his excellency ex-GoV. Wells aroused the slum.
beTing energies of our state, and in response
Louisiana enrolled her name among the invited
States 10 compete for championship at the great
est rendezvous of the products of every industrial
aTt and science which the united world ever
gathered within one nclosure.
Louisiana, like all other Southern States, had
Just emerged from long and devastating war in
which all branches Of her lourishng industry laid
for five years prostrated; nevertheless, some
thirty exhibitors applied for space at the Paris
Exposition, and sent their products to the great
arena al the Champ de Mars.
Itwould but little enhance this narrative aud con.
sumo more time than allotted 10 me this evening.
il were to ennmerate or dwell at length upon all
the obstacles found in the way, before an enter.
prise Of such vast importance to our State could
be coDsummsted, without legislative assistance; :;
but kind Providence cleared the way, and the
STATE commissioners, guides by their worthy pre-
sident, and generous community, accomplished
the rest.
OF the exposition itself and its unquestionabe
success am at a loss in what terms of praise to
spesk and how 10 describe from its great magni-
fceDce, such portions as may most interest you,
and feel my inability, since language is made
quate 10 convey faint idea of its spendor. How
can il be otherwise Conceived in the mind of
,be most able and potent ruler; supervised by
Napoleon, the chefain Of the most intelligent
nation Of Europe; assisted by the bright intellect
of the Honorable lie Play, the Paris Exposition
could not fail 10 be one of the proudest achieve.
uents of the age. To bring into one vast arena
the choicest productions Of the arts and sciences
manufactures and agriculture, from half civilized
nations TO those Of the highest order of refined
civilization, was task equally grand in concep-
ton as in execution; and the thorough system of
organization which prevailed in every department
is far beyond description, and can only be ap-
pTecisted when seen by the human eye.
By far the richest palace the genius of man ever
designed was reared to that exalted dame, "the
Paris Exposition" Its msgni6cence within
studded with the gems Of the human mind and
wrought to high perfection by the human hand,
was artisticaly blended by the splendors that
surrounded it.
Within and without this edifce, the recepticle
Of the industry Of an nations, stood France in
all her glory decked like bride in all her richest
gems, awaiting the coming of her lover, whilst all
the nations Of the earth aTrayed themselves around
her like maids of honor as participants in the fes
tivities.
No wonder batemperors and kings, queens and
prncesses, came from sfar, accompanied by a
train Of millions of people to do homage to 50 ex-
alted dame.
Gladly would I name here some of the at'rac-
tons or single out some OF the great perfectOns
met at that great congress; but where all nations
showed to such excellent advantage the task is
too great and must be deferred.
Bounded on the east by the galleries Of the
empire of Morocco, and on the west by those OF Bra
ziI we're the courts of the United States OF America
and in item shOne forth in all its brilliancy the
bright star of American Industry aud ia that
coronet which proudly adorned the America I
brow, no Jewels shone more brightly than those
OF our own Louisiana-for whilst admring such
chan pions as Church, Morse, Howe, Mccormick
and others, we find the inventive skl of our own
FOurnier outweiPhing in the scale of merit.
Leave these courts where nation struggled with
nation for supremacy of intellect, where from the
era Of Reformation TO the present day all progress
CT civilization was laid before you for your COM
parisoD. and you find yourselves again surrounded
by architecture Of ages long gone by ccmingliug
with those of the present day; by the catacombs
Of Rome 10 the most gorgeous temple erected
with Persian splendor by imperial and royal pa
yilions of most pleasing designs-dad eUeR here
yOU fHeet oar modest Louisiana cottage. She
TOO, trdS lraghed and not found 1CdntjRg. Bat
what anxiety this little building has cost? What
opposition it met from quarters from whence none
should have come, until it reared its unass1ming
appearance, Ike mushroom by the side OF a
stately oak, will perhaps never be told but the
thrill If gladness and State pride with which each
LOusisIian's heart was filed when visiting that
cherished Mecca will be better explained by the
visitors themselves, and when the clouds of
financial difficulties lowered over its devoted roof
it was refreshing TO find in that far of country
ore Louisiana noblemsn, who by his generous
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