Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-08-25
MEETING OF FRENCH CANADIANS.
Opening of What Promises to Be a
Very Successful Convention.

Opening of What Promises to Be a
Very Successful Convention.
What promises to be the most success
full convention ever held by the French
Canadians of Connecticut opened in this
city to-day. Nearly one hundred dele
gates are present, and the local com
mittee have spared no pains to make it
pleasant for the guests. The delegates
represent all the French Catholic
parishes of the state, total of nearly
10000 people.
The convention is for the purpose of
enlightening the French speaking peo-
pie upon the value and duties of Ameri-
can citizenship. The object is to unity
all the French societies of the state into
one working head. By doing this they
can be of great help to each other and
can make their influence felt.
The first of these conventions was
held at Willimantic, 1885; the second at
Meriden, 1886; the third at Putnam,
1887; the fourth at New Haven, 1889,
and the fifth at Danielsonville, 1890.
There was no convention in 1888, which
year the national convention was held
at Nashua, N. H.
The exercises began at $50 this morn
ing with a parade participated in by
L'Union St Joseph, the st Jean Bap-
tiste society, L'Institut Canadien Fran
Gals, and the st Jean Baptiste society OF
Bristol. The parade was headed by the
Canadian band and the committee and
invited guests in carriages. The pro-
cession formed on South Main street,
n, ar Scovill, and moved to st AIMS
church where mass was celebrated at
10 o'clock. The French and American
flags were displayed in many private
the line of march.
At the church large crowds had as
sembled. The sacred editice was taste
| fully decorated, prominent place being
given to a handsome American flag
Over the altar was design bearing the
word Welcome" Rev Father Bourret,
| the pastor, was celebrant of the mass,
other priests present being Rev Father
Cadotte of st AIMS, Father Cartier of
Father Chapedelaine of Grosvenordale
and Father Dunn of Dayville.
An able sermon as preached by Father
Ro1, his text being, "God Reigneth Over
All Nations" He exhorted his hearers
to become good citizens of their adopted
country and at the same time to be
faithful to their religion.
The meeting was called to order in
the Concordia hall at o'clock by Presi.
dent j. B. Vallee, $50 delegates being
present from New Haven, Bridgeport
Hartford, Meriden, Willimantic, Jewett
City, Taftville, Grosvenordale, Daniel
sonville, Bristol, Putnam and North
Grosvenordale. 1t was only a short
session and at o'clock an adjournment
was taken to Hellman's grove, where an
open air meeting will be held.
The speaker at the grove will be Ru-
dolphe LemieuX, L. L. L., an attorney
and journalist of Montreal. A. f.
Porter of Montreal, who was also ex.
pected to deliver an address, was unable
to attend At o'clock this evening the
meeting will be resumed in Concordia
hall, when the reports of officers will be
made. The officers of the association
elected year ago, to whose un
tirlng efforts is due The su
cess of the conyention, are al
follows: J. B. Vallee, Waterbury, presi
dent; S. S. Lapointe, Waterbury, frs
vice president;WiI L Heureux, Meri
den, second vice president; DR. H. o
Baribeault, New Haven, secretary
Henry Lemry, Bridgeport, assistan
, secretary; D. A. Dolbec, Meriden, treas
urer; H. Committee, Bridgeport, assistan
treasurer. The reception and entertain
ment committee consists of the residen
officers and nearly twenty-five Others
The election of officers was held thi
afternoon, resulting as follows Presi
dent, r. Quissy of Bridgeport; first vict
: president, Eugene Cartier of Bridge
port; second vice president, N. Bachand
secretary, J. o. Dubord; assistant secre
tary, DR. Baribault of Danielsonville
treasurer; j. A. Dolbec, of Meriden as
sistant treasurer, j. T. Breault. Presi
; dent j. B. Vallee was urged to accep
l the position for another year. but de
clined owing to a pressure of business.
The meeting was opened with praye
i by Rev J. T. Dunn of Dayville.