The Opelousas courier., 1888-08-18
AN Ovation.

~ oSSA sOiJ St1tiiy Ing CO tflaG gen.
tleman, reflected credit upon the peo-
pie of the old town for whom he had
just performed such signal service and
demonstrated the earnestness and sim
cerity of their gratitude.
Col. Robertson had but recently left
Washington to look after his "political
fences" in our district, and no one here
had the remotest idea that he was near
at hand, when it was announced on our
streets on Monday morning that he had
reached here the previous evening No
sooner was his presence made known
than the spontaneous suggestion was
made on every hand-merchants, me-
chanics, professional and business men,
all being actuated by the same impulse
=" We must give him reception -
Posters were at once printed and dis
tributed, and at 8 O'Clock the spacious
court room was we'll filled with our
most substantial citizens among whom
were many ladies, and it's lofty walls
were resonant with the melodiOus
strains of the -Opelousas Jovial Brass
Band, who, with their usual public
spirit, had promptly volunteered to en-
liyen the occasion with their delightful
and sOnor0us music.
Hon. E.. D. Estilette was the first
speaker. His ability as an orator is
we'll known; but on this occasion it
seemed to us that he was peculiarly
happy in his remarks, which were me-
cessarily almost impromptu. He stated
that while the people should be slow to
condemn public servant they should
be quick TO commend, prompt to en-
courage, and it was to perform that
pleasant duty that they had gathered
there that night. He briefly reviewed
the brilliant career in Congress of Col.
Robertson since he had entered it's halls
eight short months ago, and brought
out in strong relief the phenomenal
success which had attended his we'll
directed efforts in that nntried field He
emphasized the fact that it was good
policy to retain the services of faithful
aud efficient public servants, and as
serted that this course was preeminently
wise and proper in the case of repre-
sentatives in Congress who in every in
stance, from the very force of circum-
stances, require the experience of sew
eral terms to reach the zenith Of their
power and usefulness; that while Col.
Robertson had been remarkably sue
cessful in the management of the mat
ters which he had championed in Con.
gress and before the Departments -the
bills in reference to the public lands,
tho cemetery road in Baton Ronge, the
0pelousas public building, the u. s.
Courts, the appropriations for the
streams and the establishment of new
postofices and post roads in his dis
trict, &c.-and had given striking evi-
denus of the possession of extraordinary
energy, industry and tact, there was
every reason to suppose that with the
enlarged expeFience he will have ac-
qaired by the end of his term March,
1887, he would be much better equip
ped to do useful and effective service
in hehalf of the material interests of
his district. He therefore urged his re-
election.
Judge Estilette's remarks were fre-
quently interrupted by applause. show
ing that the audience were in full SYM
pathy,with the speaker; but when in
highly flattcring terms he closed by in
troducl sg our honored guest, whose tall
and graceful form and handsome face
lowered high above his eloquent cham
pion, the applause was deafening.
After THANKING the people of Opelon-
sas for their presence and expressing
his qualification at the large number 10
attendance, Col. Robertson modestly
disclaimed tle possession of the rare
and shining qualities attributed to him
but which the record of his achieve
ments shows he does possess and pro-
ceeded to give q brief, simple and
straightforward account ofshis steward
ship. Rightly surmising that his hear.
ers were fnost interested in learning all
the particulars concerning our public
building bill, lie passed lightly, in fact
slightingly, over the several other more
important measures which he had sue
ceeded in carrying through, and with
refreshing cand0r detailed the intricate
and complicated m0dus Operdndi en-
ployed; the fluctuations from hope to
despair and from despair back again to
"blessed hope;n the stores OF patience
and perseverance which he had to
summon to his assistance and herein
he revealed another precious virtae, his
astaying qualities until the glad It'd
ings were flashed to him from the White
House: aTlle President has sigued the
bill,n and with eager hands and throb-
binc heart he sent it I'm its way reIoiG
ing to expectant, despairing, almost de-
sD0Ildent and sick at heart OpeiOusas.
Col. Robertson explained that the fact
that the bill contained no approprla-
tion clause psas no oversight and no
fault of his nor anybody else's; that 4
large majority Of the bills of that ma
ture passed at the present session were
precisely similar to this; and that the
appropriation for our building i already
inserted IN the sngdry civil bill
The handsome and talented speaker
concluded by saying that while be was
d straight-out Democrat and staunch
supporter of the administration Of Gro 4
yer Cleveland, he pledged himself 10
devote his best energies Id the future
"a III the past to the furthering OF the
solid, material interests of ail the people
of his district, irrespective of party race
on creed.
After the vociferonA applause which
erected this announcement had snbsld-
ed, Judge JOS. III. Moore was called mp
On. and although totally qnprep
and apparently destitute of hope Of
sstappingp On such short notice the How
III words which some men command at
iii fimee. ha nevertheless made spIen-