The Donaldsonville chief., 1877-12-22

According to our promise in last
weeks CHIEF, we publish herewith
the addresses of Miss Mary F. Keefe
and Master Jean Matthew upon the
occasion of the banner presentation to
the ST. Joseph Cadets, at the hall of
st. Joseph Academy, Saturday eve-
ming, the 9Th instant. Miss Keefe, in
rendering the banner, said:
| Highly do appreciate the privilege con-
ferred ON me this day, by our reverend and
! esteemed pastor, of presenting to the brave
boys of st. Joseph's Academy the ,time-h0n-
ored flag OF our fair sunny land. This stand
| ard, which waved triuInphantly in the bat
| ties fought by the celebrated jackson and
others, justly awakens thrill of pride in
the American heart. Their vaIorous deeds
| of heroism are emblazoned on the pillars of
tame; on columns more durable than
| bronze-on the memories of their grateful
| countrymen. All, yes our ehlvalrous an
cestors secured for US liberty liberty prop
erly understood, such as we possess Liberty,
| glorious liberty thou art the priceless boon
bestowed from Heaven on Americas fav-
| ored children. The emblem of our State, as
you may perceive on the flag, is the loving
Pellcan-a striking figure of the love of God
Tor his children. 1t is likewise true type
OF the noble Charity always manifested by
the sons of Louisiana for the orphan and
| widow. And now may the privileged Ca
diets, to whom l present this banner, ever
prove themselves true and loyal sons of their
ancestors, faithful to their God and Coun-
try's cause May they ever be an honor to
their Alma Mater and fondly remember the
fatherly teaching of their devoted and zeal
GUS pastor.
To this eloquent and feeling ad-
dress Cadet Matthew fittingly respon-
ded as follows:
Miss Keefe-In the name of the Young
Cadets of st. Joseph, l receive from your
hands, as the fair representative of its gem
erous lady donors this beautiful banner, one
of the emblems in every age and CLINE,
which beauty gives to encourage youthful
honor and valor. And believe me, when l
say that SO long as we shall march under its
waving folds, we shall hold in grateful re-
memberanee the high esteem which by your
gift you have shown you entertain for us.
And we will strive to emulate with our
abilities, the virtues of those honored heroes
who first spread its starry folds to the eyes
of gazing world. Neither has the patriot
ism nor the energy of those revolutionary
sires died with them. MOI for We, their
young descendants, propose to prove in our
own conduct that their virtues and their
spirit yet lives i'll their sons. 1t is true, that
the star which represents the Pelican State
in the national constellation. shone not upon
the banner that sbadowed Washington; but
the deeds of Louisiana's sons have added
such brilliancy to its beams that even he
who laid the corner stone of American liber-
ty would have been proud TO give to the
star OF Louisiana place among the time
honored old Thirteen Yes we are proud
to be owned sons of the Pelican State, and
we shall stand ever ready to defend her
not let us hope. by weary march or ON
stricken field, but by striving to ad- |
vance by every means i'll our power thro' |
our daily speech and actions the grand cause
OF Hin, who, as you have SO touchingly said, |
Blessed Eucharist. And yet again; to you, |
ladies, let me say without tlattery, that al |
though but young students of history, vet |
never have We read brighter page than |
the one that records the deeds of your own |
fair sex. Many of you who from earliest |
infancy had never welcomed the morning h
light without a home smile to greet you, who
had never known the perials and trials of /
life but in name, yet have you encountered
trials and sufferings that would make the |
cheek of a 6ashi Bazouk turn pale, and en-
countered them SO uncom plainingly and so
gallantly, that Time in his vast calendar of
centuries can show none more bravely,
more freely borne. From you. then, we ac-
cept this Banner, and doing so we welcome
it with hearts filled with warm love and
coming as it does from hearts
best known and longest tiled, and as such
we welcome and accept it to the fullest ex-
tent.