The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1888-05-12
RESPONSE.
BY E. j. BOWERS, OF THE GULF COAST
PROGRESS.

By E. j. BOWERS, OF THE GULF COAST
PROGRESS.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Chosen for this occasion TO respond, in
behalf of the Press Of Mississippi, l feel
that | have no powers equal to the ex-
preston of our heartfelt appreciation OF
your cordial greeting. No emotion so
stirs the heart as that response which
wells up in every breast in answer TO a
welcome.
But to such welcome, SO warm and
cordial-so full-so free-so open heart
ed, can any response be adequate?
Two days ago left my home upon the
southern borders of our State that are
ever laced. by the silvery waters of the
Mexic Gulf, where the fragrance OF the
orange flower perfumes early Spring, and
the balmy air of coming Summer makes
all nature glad; but here l find an atmos-
phere more genial, more cordial and de-
lightful, so rendered by your princely
hospitality. Here too | see around me
sweet flowers, far loveier than the orange
bloom-your fair and peerless women,
whose smiles are moro radiant and whose
graces more charming than all that the
favored tropics can boast.
An army of Knights and Ladies OF the
Quill bas stormed your city, and in turn
have been themselves taken by storm.
Coming from all parts ofthe State, armed
with all the pomp and panoply OF their
peculiar warfare, they have charged
your fortress, when, 10, the garrison
sallies forth with open hearts and out
stretched arms and says: 1.-THE city is
yours" Indeed you are the victors-
we the vanquished-vanquished by a re-
ception that would conquer a heart Of
steel.
We feel that we are welcome-tbat
your warm and generous hearts are glad
to have us here-our every surrounding
tells it is SO. The lavish hand with
which you have made ready for our com
ing, the radiant smiles of your fair ones,
the hearty hand-shakes of your brave
and noble men, the great outpouring Vi
your people, and the beautiful and fitting
greeting just spoken by your fair and git,
ted daughter, all speak welcome, in
tones that will ever resound within the
inmost depths OF our hears.
We are indeed proud of such vel
come-proud to be received by such 8
people into such a city. We are proud
of your city--of its worth, its commerce
its hospitality, its people, and of the
great men that it has given to the Nation
We feel they are the common property
of all our great commonwealth. We fee
that we may glory in them, because they
shed glory on our State and Union
Especially are We proud OF that chival
rous chieftan and patriot-that eminent
lawyer and statesman, who Mississippi
has ever delighted to honor, and who
now worthily occupies seat in the
highest council of the Nation, rehecting
honor on his party and on the State that
glories in his achievements and his fame
Shall l speak his name-a name that
ever elcits warm and hearty applause
the name of E. c. Walthall.
We see in your greeting something
more than mere welcome to us. In i,
we see tribute to our calling; that
you feel and appreciate the high and
noble work Of those who strive to uphold
the right, repress the wrong, and formu.
late Alright the thoughts and destinies Of
a great and noble people We see in II
your appreciation of our labors-that
welcome plaudit, "Well done" By it
are we encouraged to harder strive, and
with more vigOr press forward toward
the goal.
Our hearts are full of loving
gratitude for the more than cordial man.
ner in which we have been received
We are told that in some far off region
of the tropics, grows never fading flower;
sweet in perfume, rich in foliage, beautl,
full in bud and bloom it ever rears its
lovely head above the graceful soil, "A
thing OF beauty and a JOY forever.
Such a flower you have tonight implant-
ed in the garden OF our memory, No
winters blight or summers sun shall
ever check its growth, and its fragrance
and beauty shall ever point to and re,
mind lis of this occasion, so enjoyable
and happy.
Again we thank you. We thank your
hospitable men who met us at your
city's gates and rendered us its freedom
We thank your lovely women who have
lent their presence and all their varied
charms to grace this occasion. lone
will we remember this reception it is
one OF those beautiful and lovely pages
in the book of life DER which we love TO
dwell. 1t is written in characters as last.
ing as our lives, and as bright and beau.
tful as the hospitality Of your city.