The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-01-15
TIE STATE SENATE.

Lieutenant Gouvernor Wilt, at
noon Monday, January 6, 1879,
called the Senate to order, and as
soon as the members were seated he
addressed them as follows:
81 am glad, gentlemen Of the Sem
ate, to welcome you once more to this
hall. extend to those whom I have
been accustomed to meet here, as we'll
as to Senators newly elected, my cor
dial congratulations on yonr continued
health and prosperity. Your lives
have been spared, and You come to
this field of patriotic public labor Will,
health, strength, hope and an earnest
purpose to do good to the constituents
who have reposed in you their trust
and confidence. But it is sad to con-
slider that many you represent sec.
tions which have not been blessed
with unalloyed prosperity. Since our
last parting pestilenee has invaded a
large part of the State, destroying
thousands Of lives and carrying sorrow
and distress in many forms into tene
of thousands of households, and it
still caste its gloomy shadow over the
homes of the living, as we'll as the
graves of the dead, and still fingers as
a dread and abiding terror. The
deadly visitation, which swept through
the dwellings of rich and poor alike,
has left heritage Of woe to all, and
another of most distressful want to
many thousands.
Very many have been utterly over
whelmed with ruin. Magnanimous
strangers, plying the beaped-up sor-
rows. of our Ebereaved, lidistressed and
sorely afflicted people, came to their
relief, and have thereby won gratitude
unutterable. Philanthropic contribu-
tions CANE spontaneously aud in abun-
dance from all classes of people in all
quarters of the republic, and from
transatlantic cities. In recognition
of their ge-hearted benevolence,
and to express the universal admira-
tion of our fellow citizens for their
grahd deeds Of charity toward our
stricken people, l deem it meet and
proper that the representative of the
people should record these facts in
monumental resolutions upon their
statute books, coupled with thanks in
suitable terms, 30 that the world may
know that we are not ungrateful, and
SO that our children's children may re-
member the great calamity that fell
upon their ancestors, and the noble
generosity with which the men, WON
en- and children Of distant, lands CAME
to the rescue.
Gentlemen, as you enter upon the
labors Of another session, permit me
to return my thanks for your past
courtesy and forbearance, and to as
sure you that | shall strive to do all in
my power to facilitate your patriotic
duties. have experimenting diff.
Guilty in maintaining order in the past,
aud expect noue III the future, be-
cause y3u interpret the rules of parlia-
mentary debate and decotuni by the
light of the highest rules of courtesy,
and principle. 1 am very
much gratilied to have the honor OF
aiding you in your earnest efforts to
pro mote the well being ofoaf ielofed
otate. While you have that noble end
in view l appfshena no nnseemly dis.
cord, no angry antagonisms, Lao un-
timely disposition to encrnach upon
the privileges of minorities, no neglect
of mutual amenities.
Permit me to express the hope that
in order I'd legislate with an eye single
to the good of the common wealth, par
ty politics must be kept in abes lance
in all your debates, and that no meas
,re may be favored or opposed on
party interests. Let US work for the
highest interests of all the people.
now, in accordance with article IL
Of the constitution of the State of Lou