Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-10-01
A BELGIAN FETE
Celebrated Yesterday at the
City Gardens.
ADDRESSES BY THE ORATORS.
Excellent Music and q Pleasant Day
Spent by the Belgians.
The Programme.

The Belgian Benefit Society of this
city successfully celebrated its first an
nual fete yesterday. 1t is but four
months ago since the organization was
formed, and since that time it has be-
come very popular amongst the French
speaking community, who have warmly
supported it. Yesterday reunion was de-
cided on only short time ago, but theC Conn
mittees of management went to work
zealously and with such good effect that
nothing appeared to have been left un-
done. The City Gardens, the place Of
meeting, were put into the hands
OF Wilson Bros, who decorated
them with Chinese lanterns and
brilliant bunting, while over the
entrance futtered the Belgian National
colors of black, yellow and red. About
noon the pleasure-seekers began to con-
gregate and wended their way to the
Pavilion in which the literary exercises
were to be held. The building was "A
gaily decorated as the grounds without.
streamers being hung from side to side
and supporting decorative lanterns and
other ornaments. The proceedings open.
ed with an overture by Doh's orchestra.
and then the President of the day. Mr..
A. LeGeune, announced that the address
which was to have been given bv Mr..
j. L. Sainsevain, would have to be pass
ed by, as the gentleman named was very
sick and unable to leave his home. The
next part OF the programme was there
tOrQ fQkQn onA this e l.
chant, La Patronille, by the French
American Choral Society under the
direction of Professor A. Buisseret. Al
though this society has only been in ex-
lstence about three months it is wonder
fully well trained and the rendition was
received with applause by the many
auditors who had been swarming in
steadily and now filed the building. The
orator of the day, Mr.. Charles Raskin.
me resident consul here, was received
With loud applause as he stepped to the
ront Oh the stage. He spoke eloquently
md forcibly, giving in the course of his
'emarks short history of Belgium and
he colony Of persons from that land in
his CITY,, Three years ago there were
only twelve OF U.S." he said, "and to-
lay there are 800, all prosperous.
energetic and we'll satisfied with the
and OF our adoption. Mr.. Raskin's re-
marks had very electrical effect on the
assemblage, who gave vent to their en-
'huslasm In uproarious applause as he
closed his address. Music by the orches-
sra came next and then an address was
given IN English by Judge j. d. Rey-
merit. His words were very happily
selected and he traced down the history
~ nrln sv, L. =
md then spoke OF how America gladly
welcomed them to her shores, ''for," said
he speaker, they are honest, industri-
JUS and capable, and make worthy citi-
ems of this land of freedom" The
aides OF the Choral Society sang
'L'Arenir," and then those who scanned
ne programme were again dis
appointed. The announcement had
been made that Mr.. A. Van der Naillen
II San Francisco would deliver an ad-
iress, but unfortunately the gentleman
1amed had not recovered from the in
uries he received last week in San Fran
;isco on the occasion of the fall of the
oancrott elevator, and was therefore un-
!ble to be present A chant, LIE Combat
Varal, by the Choral Society, concluded
ne exercises, and then the floor was
iOaAOu AoI Iuo RrAuu Dali. vases,
'olkas, quadrilles and schottisches
empted the votaries of Terpsichore onto
he floor, and revelry abounded until late
n the evening, when, after most pleas
mt experience, the satisfied participants
n the festivities wended their way home
yard. A banquet was spread in the
rounds, and many availed themselves
f it during the course of the
yening, the solids and LIQUIDS
eing furnished in profuse abundance. A
cry fine pyrotechnic play was given
fter dark, and brought the residents of
ne surrounding country to their doors
nd windows to witness the dazzling
Gene. 1t is worth noting that with the
reception of an accident to DIR. de Groote
nd Mr.. l.. Charlie, reported elsewhere in
1ese columns, not single disagree cable
lcident occurred to mar the pleasures of
1e day, such as some people imagine
lways occur whenever any celebration
given at the City Gardens.
Hon. j. h. Dupuy.
The most important office in Los An
eles county, the one laden with more