St. Landry democrat., 1889-03-02
The RUSTON CONVENTION.

The immigration Convention met IN
Ruston, La on the 18th inst. under very
favorable auspices. Delegates were pres
ent from nearly every parish in the State,
for the purpose of considering the impor-
lance of immigration. The P1coyune, IN
speaking editorially On the conve ntlon, says:
immigration has been the one great
need of the South for years past; us al
sence kept half of her territory uncultl-
waited, her forests unutlllZed ana her vast
resources undevelOped.
The inauguration of an immigration
movement in Georgia and Alabama has
| demonstrated what marvels could be
wrought in the way of developing the re
sources of those States. The Ruston Con
venton marks the inception of new era
as well as the birth of a strong sentiment
in favor of immigration. The addition of
a thrifty class to our population, and the
outside capital that will follow In the
natural order of things, will quickly raise
this State to higher plane of dignity and
importance tlan is even d1eamt OF by the
most sangulne.
The natural resources are at hand and
demonstrate their presence at every turn
all that is needed to develop them Is the
influx of thrifty and peaceable class OF
settlers
The New Orleans States SAYS:
The convention cannot fail to accomplish
valuable work for Louisiana, when 1t pub
fishes to the world, through the very men
who have themselves made the exTerl-
ment, the advantages which this State
holds out to the settler from other sections
of our own country and from abroad. No
testimony can come with greater cTedt n"e
and force to the outsider than the teati,
mony OF men who were outsiders themS elves
originally, and have thrown in their lot
with US for good The experience which
they have had is pretty certain to be the
experience of comets Yet to come; and
will be potent in influencing immigra' ion.
The Times Democrat speaks editorially
as follows:
There were delegates present from
nearly every parish, including some OF the
most prominent men in Louisiana. Ih
speeches were 10 the point, strong and
| vigorous, the audience was large, and both
| the town and convention were enthusiastic.
With such enthusiasm and spirit the con.
| yention cannot fail of success in helping
along this important movement, of great
value to Louisiana, to bring immigration
into the State A meeting as large, lnt1u-
entail and earnest rs that at Ruston has
shown itself, and speeches setting forth
the attractions of Louisiana so torcibly
and clearly, will undoubtedly have this
! effect.
The State is now fully aroused to the
matter of immigration, and all we have to
do is to agitate it in those districts of the
North, West and South from which PEG
pie are most likely to come to Louisiana
II. H HARGROvE,
representing the Picayunc, says: The
convention was held in the First Baptist
Church, which has seating capacity for
several hundred, and it was well crowded
at the morning session. The church had
been handsomely decorated by the ladies,
of Ruston, with wreaths of flowers. ever
green's and small banners, with lovely
collection of dollhouse flowers in bouquets
and pots, forming pyra mid in the recess
in the rear of the pulpit nearly ten feet
high. Over the pulpit was a national flag,
twenty by eighty feet long, with wei
come in twelve inch letters in the center.
Suspended below this was small banner
with the motto and emblem of Louisiana.
To the right and left, swinging from the
walls Of the church, were good sized ban
ners of thirteen other Southern Middle
and Atlantic States with each State EN-
bIem and motto, indicating the compost
ton of the convention. A large number
of ladies W. present.
| At IL O'Clock
GEORGE MOORMAN,
president of the State immigration Asso-
citation, called the meeting to order, and
in few remarks explained the objects of
the convention and his connection with it.
He gave a brief account of the movements
of year since in the cause of immgra-
ton, and said that on the LIST of March
meeting of the board Of directors would be
held in New Orleans, at which time he
would offer resolution prohibiting any
one from being president two years, which
would preclude him from another years
service in the cause. He urged that our
State was misrepresented and Improperly
understood, and needed advertising to cor
rect these matters, and he thought these
conventions the best way to collect data
to be published for general distribution,
setting forth the qualities and advantages
of1seach section Of the State He very
happily alluded to many of the speakers
for the convention, bot was especially
felicitious in referring to Mary Ashley
Townsend and Pearl Rivers, of the Plea
yuue. He then called
JUDGE ALLEN BARKsDALE
to preside over the meeting.
Chairman Barksdale as escorted to the
platform by a committee of three appointed
for that purpose.
In an election for permanent officers
Judge Barksdale was made president, with
vice president from each congressional
district represented on the floor, with
Messrs. Pearce, kellgore and Drew as
secretaries.
Rev. T. X. Fauntleroy offered an elo-
quent prayer before the convention.
A committee of three, with Hon Geo.
Bolton as chairman, escorted
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JEFFRIEs
to the platform who formerly opened the
convention President Barksdale On in-
PRODUCING Governor Jeffries, spoke of him
as one of the most beloved sons of Louis
lana.
Governor Jeffries said his duties as a
representative of the State government
were brief. He thought that no section
of the world offered greater inducements
than Louisiana to the poor man from other
States, and that Louisiana made no in
quiry into mans political belief but ex-
tended cordial welcome to the citizens of
her sister southern States to come and en-
joy her climate, soil and society He re-
ferred to the success of Southwest Louis
lana in securing immigration.
JUDGE BARKSDALE
then delivered an address of welcome on
the part of Ruston, Lincoln parish and the