The weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1872-1882, 1874-04-18
. GOVERNOR AMES.

:. GoKERNoR ,AnEs. - :.
'ss. ". r.. - ~. :. !.
On Wednesday hst GOV: Ames
issued invitations to the members
of the Legislature, : without regard
70 race, color Or party predictions,
to visit the Mansion on Friday eve
ming, from s TO 10 o'clock. In,
answer TO the invitation very nearly
all the members Of both Houses,
and good many outside friends,.
assembled at the Mansion between
eight and nine o'clock. The ten
o'clock adjournment was an inno-
vation upon old customs, and the
guests came early, that they might
enjoy as extended . call as possible.
The evening passed away rapidly,
with music and the most pleasing.
and enlvening conversation among
the various groups. About half
past nine o'clock supper was an.
nounced, and the Governor took
the arm Of Attorney General Harris,
and led the way to the supper room.
The table groaned beneath. the
weight Of luxuries. but neither upon.
the main table nor upon the side
tables was a single bottle to be seen.=
As he took his place at the head Of
the table Governor Ames an
nounced that this was a strictly
temperance occasion, and immedi-
ately coffee was handed to the ,vari-,
ous guests. q
Il used to be said of Abraham
Lincoln that on one occasion, when
his conduct had not met with the ap-
proval of some of his party friends,
thathe declared he only desired "the
approval of God and his own con-
science" It is known to every one
who has attended receptions at the
Mansion that sobriety on those oeca-
sions was not deemed a cardinal vir-
tue. Official dignity was laid aside,,
and, for the time being, the Mansion
became a temple of inebriety. It.
cannot be doubted that long usage
had more to do with keeping up this
custom than the taste or inclination
of Gov. Ames' predecessors. 1t re-
quires more courage to take the lead
in a radical social reform than it.
does to storm a battery.
Thousands in social life are as
sisting to make drunkards, because
they dare not exclude wine from
their tables on festive occasions.
The reform inaugurated by Gov.
Ames, on Friday night, was one Of
the most remarkable that has thus
far attended his administration. He
can not but know tho tremendous
effect his example will have upon
the habits Of those who wish to
stand we'll in his opinion. He has
authoratively pronounced for tenn
perance, which includes temperance
laws, and temperance officers to en-
force them. He has not only earn
ed the approval of God and his own
conscience, but he has earned the
approval Of the grand temperance
army Of men and women, who have .
been steady marching forward for
years, ever increasing in numbers
and influence, and ever finding the
forces opposing their progress grow
ing weaker. He has earned the
thanks OF that vast number who
desired. TO but dared not drive wine
and alcohol from their tables on
social occasions, and those Cover
nors Of States who have been afraid
to depart from the customs estab-
lished when slavery was in its glory,
and drunken officials was the rule
rather than the exception. Gov.
Ames must have the approval Of
God and his own conscience, but
he deserves to know with what un-
auimity his brave course is approved
by the American people. We are
proud OF Gov. Ames. His conduct
on Friday night will show those peo-
pie who are not fortunate as we,
one Of our reasons for being proud
Of our brave temperance Governor.
If he has not already learned, means
/ will be found to convince him, that
. his conduct has taken fast hold upon
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