The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-26
THE UNION FRANCHISE.
Success Of the May Festival Given on
5 Behalf of that Society.

The May festival given yesterday by the presi-
dents7of the various French societies Of this
city for the benefit Of the Union Franchise. was
a recognition of the services rendered by the
Union to sufferers in the last epidemic At an
early hour, crowds kept surging towards
the Fair Grounds, and the lowell
ness Of the day. the genial breeze blowing
and the attractive and varied pro-
gramme offered, promised large attendance.
profusion Of flags and bunting OF all nations
adorned the main building. but the chief at
traction was the trophy Of banners and shields
or all the French societies Of New Orleans ben
evololent, social and military, A splendid
Union fl ~ spread itself on the back ground: !:
next overlaps flag Of France. and then comes
the tro ply; the centre shows the colors Of
France emblem of the Union Francaisel. and
woven In the cloth are the words In golden let
ters "Vive la France" Above 1t is the shield Of
the Union; surmounting all Is the flag Of the
veterans ct 1914 contlded to the keeping Of the
'Gardes Lafayette
AT FIVE O'clock @.. ..
the grand stand was filed with people and
the ground opposite displayed fair quota of
persons who had gathered in that part OF the
ground to witness the races
The milk wagon race was won BY Bertrand
Dastuques.
In the buggy race Charles Biscontou came off
victorious. and iii the skating contest A. II.
Moore, Esq, carried off the honors
The Union had provided also. for the enjoy
ment Of the public. all sorts Of minor games
and pastimes, which were very we'll patroniZed.
Ths winner of the creased pig found 1t very
hog extraordinary when his capture took off a
little slice of his right hand by q vigorous mus
cuiar expansion and contraction OF jaws, but
any how the victor was game. and held on till
@brutal force was conquered BY will.
WHEN THE RACES AND SPORTS
were over. dancing was begun on the platform
and In the two buildings. In the interval be-
tween the dances Mr.. H. Noiret. optican, and
Mr.. Barber exhibited the effects of electric
light of various eoors. both outside and inside
the buildings. The experiments were success
full. and afforded much pleasure to the specta-
tors. A torchlght parade by the Gardes Lafay-
cite and the Francs Tireurs was much admired.
THE CHIEF ATTRACTION
OF the night however, was the magnificent py-
rotechnical display. embracing an assortment
of Sc ect and rare pieces Of fireworks made ex-
pressly fol-. the occasion by the celebrated
Palmers Of New York.
There were fully 5000 people on the grounds.
and this attendance is a just tribute to the
worth of the Union Francaise.". This vast as
hour no disagreeable incident marred the pleas
ures of the picnic.
THE UNION FRANCHISE
has for officers the following named gentlemen
Viscount d'Abzaz, French Consul at New Or
leans honorary president: Edgar Larne, ESQ,
permanent honorary president; 4. Iu1@agne' @
san. treasurer; A. Guillemet. secretary. Inc
Lr sidents Of all the French societies are dlrec-
tors of the Union Franchise.
The Union WAS established in 1872, ana It's OD-