The Opelousas courier., 1888-05-05

upon our town in all Of 4he beauty oil
spring loyellness. The recent rain had
laid the dust, the skies were clear and
OF Italian blueness, and the air was
just OF that temperature to produce 6
delightful equilibrium of the physica
and intellectual conditions of nature
A more auspicious time could not have
been chosen for the meeting of the
Press Association, and we are glad to
note the fact that aolarge representa-
tlon OF the fraternity were on hand to
participate in the proceedings which
were so harmonious, and full of inter
est to the craft as we'll as to the specta,
tors. A fitting reception was given te
7 the visiting editors on their arrival al
the depot, on Monday evening and
Tuesday morning, by a large delega-
ton of our citizens headed by the Opel
ousas JovGil Brass Band, and escort
ed to their quarters in town.
The Convention met at 10 o'clock a
m. on Tuesday when ]. G. Mornhinveg
Esq, Mayor Of Opelousas, in few well
chosen remarks welcomed the members
of the Press and extended them the
freedom of the city. He then introduc-
ed Hon. Z. D. Estilette, who in felici-
tous and more extended manner well
coined the visitors in behalf of ST. Ian
dry, alluding to the proverbial hospi-
tality and kindness of our people, and
the pleasure it gave them to entertain
SO many intelligent representatives ol
the press. He called their attention to
our rich and beautiful country, the sa-
lubrity of the climate, the health aud
longevity of the peaple, aud the large
area of lands yet to be settled by good
class of immigrants. He invited the
corporation of the newspapers to in
form the world of these facts, which a
visit to and inspection of our country
would enable them to do from an unbi-
ased observation.
/ Gen. Leon Jastremski, of the Baton
Rouge Capitolian Advocate, and Presi-
dent of the Association, responded in
very happy language to the cordial re-
ception of the members Of the press who,
he stated, would pleasantly remember
the occasion which brought them in con
| tact with our whole souled, warm heart
ed citizens, the pleasant incidents oi
their sojourn here, and the opportunity
afforded them to view our beautiful e@-1
panse of territory.
An appropriate prayer was offered by
Rev. f. w. Lewis, of Opelousas.
Mr.. j. B. Wilkinson, Jr., of the N. O.
| CITY Item, then delivered q very able
and comprehensive address upon F" The
Relations of the Press to immigration,
in which he very graphically pointed
out the influence of every paper in wri-
ting up their country and placing its ad-
vantages in such light as to invite i'm
migrants to their respective borders.
Mrs. Ella Bentley, of the Donaldson
vile Chief, whom all members of the
craft delight to honor, eontribut-
I ed very humorous and pleas
ing essay upon g The Egolu-
ton of the Office Towel" which
caused bursts of applause from the au-
diencelas she "wrung out" so much
fun from this soiled linen of the Office
wash stand, which the "devll" " and the
tramp printer dyed by wiping theirinky,
oily, unwashed hands upon it until its
identity was unrecognizable. Our devil
says that all newspaper devils ought to
go to heaven, because everything that
goes wrong in the office, making pie y
or what not, is laid upon the poor, inno-
cent (7) devil. Mr.. 1. Z. Bentley, the
Alady's partner in both the editorial and
elnatrimonial harness, read the essay in
4 very happy and effective manner0
The evening session opened with an
exhaustive address on The history of civ
ilizatian, by Col. Geo. Moorman, of the
New Orleans South Illustrated, in which
| he traced the art of printing from its iu-
fancy up to the grand improvements
which distinguish the great newspapers
and books of the present day. Col. Nj.
then called attention to the relations oil
the press to immigration, and pointed
out the power of newspapers as factors
in inducing immigration. He said thai
the press should be made by the immi-
| CITATION Bureau the medium Of inviting
immigration, and that the eWspapers
i should write up their respective par.
ishes, setting forth the advantages ol
! their soil, climate, prices Of lands. &c, !.
i and that copies Of these pagers should
be distributed abroad.
/ Mrs. Martha r. Field (Catharine Cole)
Of the NO. Picayune, then delivered
an essay upon the labors and trials OF
the country editor. It vas given in thai
[inimitabIe style aud method and word
| ing which always characterize : Catha,
| rine Coles writing, and was enhanced
in interest by the audience seeing, and
ihearing the voice of, a correspondent
whose many interesting letters and Other
literary contributions haye made hel
nom de pIun6oa favorlte and honored
name ID thousands OF households
throughout the South, Ii an ovation
/ greeted her appearance upon the ros-
trum. she must have felt the grand tri-
umnh awarded her by the delighted au-
dience when she concluded her admira-
BILE presentation of the subject.
/ Mr.. j. Y. Gilmore followed with an
admirable address on the business de.
partments of newspapers which was
quite interesting to journalists.
| Mrs. Julia Rule, Of the Shreveport
Times had for her theme the aWomer
\ 0f the Press which she handled IN .
| very interesting and effective manner
She alluded to the literary labors OF thu
/ gentler sex elevating the tone and sen
timent of journalism. adding new lustfs
4 to letters and clearly pointing to tiht
| ability and aptitude of women for
/ high order of literary work
i On "Wednesday at Ii O'Clock am. Mr.
| j. Gentil, of tale Assumption Pioneer,
delivered very interesting address il
Il french. bis theme being La presse.
r, -. :. s Nasfs,r +, Aha T.auiSiafla prpss