The Opelousas courier., 1889-05-25

capabilities of the parish of Lafoarche. N
effort to embelish or prevaricate has bee
made. We will endesvor to give you a
opportunity to see a great portion of tn
parish during your visit here. Then 20
can form your W opinion and establis
your own judgment. And now, ~trustin
that you may find your visit pleasant an
agreeable and that your session may b
harmonious and instructive, I once more
in behalf of the people of Lafourche, tende
you a cordial welcome.
Both the addresses of welcome wer
gratefully received by visitors and cit
liens.
Music-s'Salut a la Preese"-was the
sung by the ladies and gentlemen, unde
direction of Prof. Chof, after which tn
following poem, written by
MRS. e. M. GooDE.
of the T%hibodaux E~entsn&l, entitled "Wel
come Z" vas read by Hon |. D. Moore:
Where Lafonrohe's sweeping waters
Proudly 10 the ocean glide,
Freight Of commerce precious bur, ems
Bearing safely on its tide
SlduuS OuE uO1IUECoU dyOu city,
STAMP ed by busy Progre IS STILL
Art and nature both as wooers
Grant their graces to her will.
Here we greet our sisters, brothers,
Though until to-day unknown,
Friendly lips will bid you welcome,
Kdndly hands shall clasp your OWL.
Music, with her power enhancing,
Keeps her sweetest notes for you,
Roses fragrant round you scattered,
Lovelier Cashmere never knew.
Man is ever seeking pleasures
Under far and stranger skies,
Scorning fairer flowers beneath him,
Climbs for Alpine Eidelweiss.
Roams through medieval ruins,
Scales the peaks of distant shores,
Revels in Athepian sculpture,
Or a buried citu's stores.
Let us turn to works around US,
Marvels nature iormed alone,
For our new world is so wondrous,
Grander than the sculptured stone.
Here is our fair Louisiana,
Beautiful to loving eyes,
But to touch her soil responsive
Blooms another paradise.
Come and see our quiet bayous
Gliding through the forests dim,
Hear through natures vast cathedral
Feathered songsters' matin hymn.
See where green palmetto rises,
And the graceful willows wave,
While the mosS-hung cypress dropping
Bids the sire am its branches lave.
Queen of all our woods, Magnolia,
Scents the balmy summer air,
While thousand humber flowers
Blush and bloom and wither there.
Have we here no ancient wonders,
Spots where ancient heroes 1rod,
But the Blood of Southern martyrs
SanctitsaSa our Southern nd.
Honor to your grand Protector
Brothers bound by mutual tieJ
Ceasing discord, be your motto,
Zoo will and fraternity.
Speak the truth the right defending,
Magnify your pfice then,
Often proved, shall still be proven
Mightier than the sword-the pen.
A duet march on trombone and piano
by Misses Clemencs and Augusta Layman
followed the reading of the poem, whan
GENERAL LION JAsTREMsK1.
editor of the Louisiana RecSeao and presi
dent of the association, delivered the fol
lowing response 10 the hearty words O
welcome:
Mi. Mayor, Mr.. President, Ladies an,
Gentlemen-The warm welcome that tn
Press Association of youA Stats has re
ceived at your hands, and the eloquen
words of greeting we have just listened t.
from those you had commissioned ito ex
press your sentiments on this occasion
would amply justify me in availing my
self of the excuse by which long lines o
speakers have sought to v their EN-
barrassments where exposed as I am TO
night to the gaze of 81 captivating and en-
Eghtened an audience; that is, that th
pleasing duty of responding should hav
fallen to the lot of q gifted orator, and moi
as it has, upon q comnon mortal, priv
legged to do his public speaking in the edi
torisl sancsum and by the medium of col
type. But as the idsn is generally prevs
lent that timidity is mot one Of the distin
gushing traits of the average Journalist
and as he is supposed to have been blunte
by the shafts of his beloved brethren an,
the harsh criticisms of the public, | mus
endeavor to uphold the reputation flo
recklessness that has been awarded to tn
craft, and. in the best way I can, expires
the hearty thanks of the association 10
the attentions and courtesies you have al
ready showeFed upon them, and beside
seek to entertain you briefly upon the OF
jects which | trust will give it a long lif
Of usefulness TO the people for whom
speaks.
Continuing, he related the history of til
association from It's origination ID Bato
Rouge in 1880, down to the present tims
and at the close of his remarks he wa
loudly applauded.
An address In French. TIA Louisian
dams Vingt Ans by
Mr.. j. GENTm,
of the Assumption Pioneer, closed the pre-
ceedings of the day, and the convention
adjourned till $50 tomorrow morning.
THE FOLLOWING NAMED q
ladies and gentlemen OF the fourth estat
ara present at this writing:
j.. B. Lawton, New Iberia sEnteyprSse
]. N. Gourdaiu, st. James Gesrier; L. s
Scott, Welsh Ores .sat William Cary, Jen
nings Reporter w. B. Bailey, Lafayett
Ad0ert;ser Leon Jastremski. LouSasGas,
Review; j. B. Wilkinson, New Orlean
lem j. Y. Gilmore and wife,sSGgGg Bou
and Farm Journal; 4. e. Bensly and wife
Donaldsonville Chief; t. Cross and Mis-
Addie McGrath. Baton Rouge Truth j
w. Bryan, Lake Charles Echo; z L. Ev
erett, Lake Charles american; Norman
Walker, New Orleans Is1aea-D Democrat
II. a. Tanner, Bunkis Blade; William
Hal. Marksyille ReoseW; w. #. Milsap
Ouachita Telegraph; r.. Sancon Facque
and Mrs. Ellen Goode, Thibodaux Senti.