The Opelousas courier., 1888-05-19
The Press Association.
DeSoto Democrat.

DeSoto Democrat.
We had the pleasure of attending
the annual reunion of the Louisiana
Press Association, that met in the
beautiful little city of Opelousas, ON
written about this affair, that we feel
that there is but little for us to say.
However, these annual reunions, a
but result in great good to the mem
bers, the people and the State. A
spirit of friendship is thus cemented
among the editors, that tempers their
rough nature, softens their hearts, and
that makes them better and safer
moulders of public opinion. This an
nual mingling in social intercourse, is
bound to elevate the tone OF the press,
by giving the editors Y better idea OF
the men with whom we are to cross
blades in bitter political contests,
where the fate of great political parties
and of great issues depend upon the
result. 1t is bound to result in great
benefit to the State, because the mem
bers become familiar with the wonder
full resources of the various sections,
and they are made to realize that Lou
isiana is, indeed, the garden spot OF the
world. We of the northern part OF the
State learn that Southern Louisiana is
not peopled by frog-eating, b ill-shak-
ing dagoes, and they of the southern
portion learn that North Louisiana is
not alone the homo of ignorant, fanatl-
cal back-woodsmen. VIZ are all made
to realize that Louisiana is one great
SEnka ~ That oil Of how nnnn1n are
her worthy children, struggling to pro-
mote her material prosperity and her
advancement, in all that tends to pro-
mote civilization, and the consequent
enlightenment and happiness of her
people.
Opelousas and the country surround
lug it seems to be favored in every par
~ticular, for the green and u%ndulating
prairie country, the charming and fer
, tile fields of the Teche and the rich and
well timbered woodlands seem to here
meet, and each to vie with the other in
providing the comforts and the luxur-
: les for the use of mar and all Of the
necessities and most of the luxuries
S craved by mankind are produced in
great abundance. Such a country, amid
such surroundings, could not fail to
produce a rare and noble race of peo-
pie. Here you will meet in all his ma
t tive purity the high spirited chivalrous
: Creole gentlemen, who loves honor and
virtue better than life and who as scru-
pulously observes the duties of hospi-
tality, as does a religious fanatic a
church creed. Here may be seen the
descendants of the fiery and patriotic
: Cavaliers from Virginia, who are just
as brave and full of fire as when theil
forefathers followed the fortunes o.
\ King Charles l.. Here may be seen the
proud and naughty Huguenot, just al
. hot blooded, as chivalrous and as brave
as were his ancestors when they bic
Iqadieu to La Belle France and settled
J upon the fertile soil of South Carolina
q It would seem that when the blood o.
/ these three races we're commingled, thu
n Cavalier, the Creole and the Huguenot
T. that q race had been produced tina
would be all nerve, strong in love, bu
q fierce in passion. However, such i
R not the case, for representatives 0
ie every race that ever settled in Ameri
ca, can be found in st. Landry parish
and the hot blood of the Huguenot o
South Carolina, has here been temper
ed bg the matter-of fiat pine-knot 0
North Carolina. The fiery Cavalier ha
&c been rudely awakened from his day
dreams of love and glory, by contac
with the wooden nut meg Yankee from
= New England, for while the n nigh
! be standing in a heroic attitude, will
u one hand on his sword and the othel
. on his heart, equally ready to die 70,
his country or his lady love, the othe1
might steal the silver rowels out of hi
. spurs, rob his heB-roost and wiggle II.
Y fingers from his Ii, 5e at the ridiculsd
spectacle he had just beheld. Tsel
D here the Creole gentleman can no long
er dream his life away, for while h
still maintains all his exalted charac
teristics, loving his country first, an(
D Lrhis God next he still finds that thu
q rude, cute and practical western farm
er is urging him on to an energetic ex
and he is now striking witt
yigor for the progress of Louisiana, no
a so much from desire to change the ex
Q listing state of affairs, as from 3 lauda
BILE ambition to be the leader Of lei
J With such a country, the richest an
most healthy that the sun shines upol
s in its daily circle, with such a people
+ containing the strongest elements AMI
best strains of blood in all civilized ma
tions, what would be an extravagaD
prediction for the future Of Louisiana
/, But as to the city of Opelousas. w,
= can only say that it is a beautiful littl,
, city. Its elegant streets and numerou
y and beautiful shade trees are what a
= first strike the stranger as its mos
! prominent features, although on
friend Mayo will tell you that it boast
. of its GOOD water, good'health and goo
y liquor; but with a wink at certain oil
= citizens, would intimate that ther
: : were not many competent judges of til
first named article in the place. How
:, ever, the North Louisiana delegatio
= are unanimous in the opinion that il
greatest charm is its beautiful womer
and the image of more than u cham
ing Creole belle Is indelibly stampe'
< in the hearts Of crusty editors from til
o. high lands, some of whom contemplat
It, a raid upon that fair city, with a vie
to of a robbery like that ~perpetrated upo
a. the Sabines by the founders of ancier
o. Rome.
re- 1t would take up a dozen papers lik
in the Democrat to properly write up thi
as beautiful city, charming country an
g. gallant people, to say nothing OF tn
t. proceedings of the Press Association
ID :. ~ ~rsiY o10rn by oavinU fbaf Uhifn i