The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1884-11-08
ST CHARLES COLLEGE, J
GRAND CoTEAU. )
October 29th, 1884. \

Editors COURIER:
The month of October has again
brought life to tho famed halls OF st.
Charles College. Although the long
drought and the consequent failing crops
were Az evil omel for our college home
still, we are happy to count, no less
than eighty scholars who have come to
drink in learning at its fountain head
A few days after the opening, the
Philalethic Society was again formed
fourteen members answered the first
call. This meeting was spent in ballot
ing for officers.
The following were elected: Presi-
dent. Mr.. Henry Wallet; Secretary, Mr..
Vincent Leblanc; Censor and Treasu-
rer, Mr. Hoa Leblanc,
AT the next meeting the offieers-elect
were daily installed, the oath of Office
being administered to them. The pre-
sident, Mr.. Henry Valet, then rose and
said in substance:
Rev. Moderator, and gentlemen:
Ny first duty, gentlemen: is to return
you sincere thanks for the high honor
you have conferred on ne. That honor,
us you know we'll, was entirely unsoli-
cited and can assure you it was Who'll
ly unexpected. / may add, that If |
had been invited to become Il candidate
for your suffrages, should have res
pectfully declined the invitation. Ny
predecessor, whom I am happy to be
able to call my friend. declared from
this place last year, in language which
we'll became him, that he would not
have come forward to displace SO emf
nent president as our friend MI. j. a.
Grace. / can with equal truth declare
that would not have come forth to
displace SO estimable a gentleman and
accomplished scholar as Mr VIM.
VaDdegaer. But he felt last year that
it was not for him, aud | feel this year
that it is not for me to question the pro-
priety of your decision, on point on
which, by the Constitution of yonr body,
you are the sole judges. / therefore
accept with thankfulness the Office TO
which am called, fully proposing to
use whatever powers belong to it with
the single view of the promotion, of the
credit and the welfare of the Society.
Therefore, gentlemen, promise sou
my mite and shall ever do my utmost
to further the interest of this Society,
/ over which you have been pleased TO
! call M to preside. Hence I have rea-
sons to expect that you also shall do
! what IS in your power for our mutual
advancement, and with this twofold
aid, dare say, the Philalethic Society
of st. Charles College Heed pot fear q
comparison with the aas4afp.se ~ &c society ofany
other Institution; aud | trust, that
as years roll on, this society will still
continue to deserve the esteem and ap-
probation of the scholars OF this seat ot
learning; aud will be attended by a
! still greater accession of students than
have the happiness now to see before
me. My successor will, hope, be able
to boast of the Society and vindicate
their claim by citing long list of emf.
nent men, great masters Of SCIENCE, or.
nameuts of the Senate, the press and
| the bar.
They will, / hope, mention with high
honor, some of my young friends, who
now hear me, and they will be able tc
add that their talents and learning were
employed in cause worthy of the prln'
ciples which had been instilled into theil
minds within these walls.
have now given utterapce to part
and TO part only of the feelings which
on this solemn occasion filled my mind
/ I again thank youefor the honor whicl
you have bestowed on me and | assure
you that between you and me there is
bond of cordial sympathy aud devoted
ness to the cause.
Respectfully,
VINCENT LEBLANC,
Il Saeratapy