The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-12-10
ST. BARBE.
The Louisiana Field Artillery at the st.
Louis Cathedral.

The Louisiana Field Artillery at the st.
Louis Cathedral.
The scene at the Sb. Louis Cathedral yesterday
upon the celebration OF the feast OF ''St. Barbe'
was one Of those festures that characterize the
present epoch Of free government, in that il was
an expression OF popular feeling turning back to
and reverencing old traditions. as the people of
Louisiana are gradually taking frmer hold of
the power which had been unlawfully wrested
from them by Federal bayonets for 80 many
years. At last we had the satisfaction Of seeing
our own citizsn soldiers, so ably represented by
the officers and men OF the Louisiana Field
Artillery, tastefulIy uniformed in blue, red
and gold, and armed with improved weapons,
bowipg in reverence before Che altar of God and
the sanctity OF old traditions. It was sight
made to arouse all the noble emotions OF the
soul. There, at the altar, was the sacred priest,
Offering the holy sacrifice; there, In the wide
aisle, stood. statue-like the steady and uniform
ed ranks OF the cannoneers, with blazing bayonet
sheens and red keps. There, In the chair, half
seen and half hidden, were those who interpreted
Webers heavenly harmonies, 30 we'll fitted to
elevate the soul to the high plane OF religious
thought. We have not time nor space to enter
into particulars, especially we did not come TO
the church Ia the quality OF q dramatic critic.
We will only say that the mass was admirably
well suDg by the choir, and that the organst and
cellent management.
Outside OF the habitual choir several artists
volunteered melodious aid to the ceremonies,
among which Mr.. Wiegand and others Of the
opera troupe, and Mr.. p, from San Francisco,
wfose admirable voee w#s quite EeassaFe ia The
days proceedings.
His Grace Archbishop Perche delivered mag.
nifcent discourse, well calculated to infame
military ardor, and at the same time temper IL
with that religious feeling that gives poetry to
and thot hnn arig
it's horrors. We regret that we did not have
shorthand reporter there TO reproduce every
word Of the eloquent and venerable prelate's
sermon.
inspiring strains from the choir had died out, at
the moment when the priest elevated the holy
sacrament, the voice OF St. Barbe spoke from the
| outside iD the musical thunder of roaring artil-
lery, the reverberating sounds Of the guns from
the levee in front, in the distance striking upon
the ear as solemn vow pledging the citizen SOL
diers, as the knights Of old were pledged to Re-
| ligion, Honor and Duty. When the holy cere-
| monies were over, the regiment marched out Of
the church, and after having escorted the rev.
erend Archbishop home, paraded along the
principal streets. Now, We are something like
| the "Grande Duchesse," we '1ove the military, I"
| and therefore took an exalted position wherefrom
We could see the boys as they marched along and
On came the column. Col John GynD, Jr.; Major
Scott and Major Warren Stone leading 1t on
horseback. Then followed Ospt. Guibet's Com.
pany, Capt. Edwards second in line and Capt. L.
Bouny closing up the march, With Col LeGardenr
| acting as Adjutant. or any one who loves
military display and the regular tread of soldiers
the sight was magnificent. We have rarely
seen soldiers march in more perfect
style. The cleaning Of the well poised bayonets
under the sunny rays shone in symmetric and
sympathetic motion with the regular tread OF
the we'll trained soldiers obeying the martial
measures issuing from find military band. We
cannot help complimenting the Louisiana Field
Artillery upon their splendid marching and fine
discipline II is evident that the officers have
taken pains drilling their men and that the men
understand that no success can be obtained with
out proper drill and discipline.
When the parade was over the regiment broke
up, and all went different ways to enjoy the bal
ance OF the day as best they might. We know
OF little party from Battery A that had q very
pleasant time at Victors restaurant and worthily
celebrated st. Barbe with al 1.-The delicacies OF
the season. washed down with the best Of wines,
among which we may give honorable mention 10
certain "Clos vougeot," hailing from the slopes
of Bnrgundian hills, that leaves remembrance Of
pleasure after pleasure past.