The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1879-03-22

AND WOMENS
SMILE.
Lacoste's Hall was again crowded with
Natchitoches' "fa,r women and brave
mon" on Thursday evening last to do
honor to our distinguished fellow towns.
men NJ. J. Cunningham. Esq.,, and Hon
CT. Dranguet. sufferers in the cause of
liberty and Ssxo ncivilization. Mr.. Cum
bingham has proven the trust reposed
him by his friends beyond their most
sanguine expectations F.; their most ar
dent wish. II unselfish devotion to his
people untiring efforts in their behalf
merits reward, the honors extended to
Mr.. Cunningham by oil classes of citi.
zens is but poor mark of esteem.
The hero of . musket the brave wear
er Of q private's uniform on virginia's
bloody fields during our struggle for in
dependence, he has show himselfas fully
able to represent his people in court as
in camp.
Miss Ida Buard on the part Of the ladies
presented Mr.. Cunningham with mag.
niticent bouquet of mathematical flow.
ers, blended with exquisite taste by Mrs.
4. F. Lemee. The bouquet was capped
by a small banner with appropriate de.
vices-.rossed swords on one side and
embroidered violet on the other-and du.
ring the delivery Of Miss Buard's address
our hero Was crowned with laurel wreath.
Mr. Cunningham accepted the bouquet,
with that modesty and grace which dis
tinguish the true gentleman, and spoke
az follows:
Mice Bxard and Ladies Of Natckitockes -
l receive these beautiful flowers, tho en-.
blenls If purity and honor, in behalf of
the prisoners recently on trial, and ten.
der you our heartfelt gratitude for the
encouragement given by you in our re-
cent troubles, and for this testimonial of
your appreciation Of our services. Next
to the approval of my own consciousness
! Of having discharged my duty honestly,
conscientiously and to the best Of my
humble ability, the approving smiles Of
our fair cOuntry-women constitutes the
highest recompense for public service.
Women, noble women last at the cross,
! first in the performance Of all good
works. Without her loving smile the
earth wOnld be q desert, and without her
| encouragement and her appreciation man
would have no incentive to exertion.
have too much mO.lesty nnd too lit Q
| appreciation Of my individual merit, to
appreciate this flattering compliment to
myself. was accidentally prominent in
| great cont ct, and I receive this laurel
wreath a. crown Of victory for . great
principle. the cause Of liberty and Of
free government, which was recently on
trial. Tho verdict Of acquittal was 4
grand victory not alone for tho indivi-
auals on trial but for tho great princi.
ples involved. We have been for years
engaged in 4 struggle for the maintenance
If civil liberty and good government, Of
which tho ordeal through which 10 lave
recently passed was an episode; We have
but discharged our duty; We have not
been animated by any motives of self.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT and if we receive tho
approving smiles Of the fair women OF
our land, and the appreciation Of our fe' =
low citizens, We will be fully compen.
stated for all trouble, annoyance, expense
and risk to which We have been subject
ed.
After this address was concluded Ma
yor Dranguet was loudly called for, and
/ in . speech Of pleasant wit and cutting
sarcasm brought tho house down moro
than once.
Our distinguished fsllow-citissn Hon,
W. H. Jack closed tho evenings pleas
ures with one Of bic telling speeches,
which was loudly spplsuded, and the
assembly broke up with cheers and hand
clappings
''Our country's welfare is our first con.
Germ,
And who promotes that best, proves his
/