The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1891-06-20
The Basket Picnic at Prairie
Basse ON last SATURDAY..


number of men, woman and children,
all of whom enjoyed sumptuous and
superabnndant preparation of nicely
prepared edibles. We are informed
that after all present had feasted, there
was enough remaining to have feasted
as many more. The farmers are al.
ways good providers, and never half
do such things.
The speakers were Hon A. D. La
fargue of the Alexandria Vidette, Thos.
Il. Lewis, Esq, Judge E. T. Lewis,
VIM. 5. Frazee, Capt. E. Sumpter Tay-
lor and Judge Thos. Brooks, and
Messrs. Dubuison and Mr.. B. F. Hard
esty of Washington, La.
Mr.. Hardesty was the speaker of the
meeting. He made some remarks in
opening it, and first introduced Mr.. La
fargue who spoke in French. The
substance Of his speech we have not
been able to learn. Next was a speech
from Mr.. Hardesty who introduced Mr.
Frazee who spoke in English on the
Lottery. He spoke vehemently and
thunderingly against it, and told the
story of two competing merchants who
lived somewhere on opposite sides of a
street. They dealt in horn, (possibly
the eloquent speaker had invested in
fewP) and one employed fellow to
surreptitionsly get all the other had.
He undertook the feat, and instead of
getting bis competitors horns, sold his
own which he had managed to get from
him. This, he said, was the game the
Lottery plays on the people of Louisi-
ana. Its managers tell them the money
it takes in in its business comes from
other states, whilst the truth is, it
comes largely from the people of New
Orleans, and also from other
parishes Of the state. Now it proposes
to return it to them and wishes to be
thought liberal for doing so. The
speaker apparently forgot to say any
thing about the objects for which the
Farmers have formed chartered alli-
ances.
Mr.. Hardesty made speech, and in
troduced Mr.. Thos. H. Lewis who
| plunged right into the Lottery. Con-
demned it in rounded periods, and told
the story of the man who went to a
Republican meeting in Iowa with a
basket full of pups which he offered to
sell. As special recommendation he
said they were Republican pups. He
did not inform the Alliance whether he
succeeded III selling all of them. But
soon after, the Democrats held meet
| ing and this pup vendor again appear
/ ed with basket of pups for sale.
Some sapieRt democrat recognized the
| fellow, while he was recommending
| them as thorough bred democratic dogs,
/ and asked him if he was not the same
man that was selling pups at the Re-
publican meeting as Republican pupsY
| And whether these were not some OF
| the same pups. He said he was the
same individual and that some of these
were the same pups. Well asked the
1 Democrat, how is it you said they were
Republicans to Republican meeting
and now you say they are democrats to
democratic meeting9 Oh! said he,
they didn't have their eyes open then,
but now they have; SO, continued the
speaker, it is with the Louisiana Lot
terry, but the people now have their
eyes open and can see for themselves
| Queryq If we must follow up the
analogy and keep mp the figure, the
smile, the speaker meant to say
the people we're once the blind
pups, but are now dogs with
their eyes open. Now we do not
presume the speaker intended to place
them in that attitude, but if his anec-
dote had any application it could have
I il only in that way.
1 We do not charge that he SO intend
ed it. At the conclusion of his speech,
/ Mr.. Hardesty made speech and intro
duced Judge E. T. Lewis, who ponnced
fon the Lottery and roundly denounced
monopolies. He spoke OF railroads aud
their we'll known Influence over our
i local and national legislators. Had
been there aud had seen it, Gave IN
i stances and called ont names, but like
much that. was said in the heat or
warmth OF defamation, it we're not
proper here TO specify. Neither ol
/ the speakers had as yet said word
about the Alliance as such, all was
abont the Lottery. At the conclusion
/ of his remarks, Mr.. Hardesty made
i speech. Capt. Sumpter Taylor was IN
i troduced with blast from Mr. Il. 4
i war bugle, but he modestly said to the
audience he was no orator as Brutus
was. His audience knew he had
j been d gallant soldier and respected
1 him ais such. He retired from the
i sneakers stand, and Mr.. Hardest5
I made d speech, and introduced Judge
Brooks to the audience. Having wilt
nessed the jaded condition OF ths
/ hohby. he adroitly left him hitched Al
4 tI,e rack. and spoke of the Farmers
4 Alliance. As it had not been discussed
nr scarcely alluded to, he was no
afraid of stale repetition and spoke
i with much approval Of its objects ane
nrinciples as set forth IN its charter a'ld
bu.lasrs. He made some appropriate
], ana nossibly necessary suggestions, re-
\ specting the influence the Alliance may
4 IN urudent action, exert on the loca
government. Said there exist faetloni
II beth parties which may be made tn
means Of accomplishing much good, !
!. tha Alliance will adhere to its charter
ed objects, and form no hasty entangi
inc alliance with any one of the polltl
caI factions. His ideas were someWha
crudely expressed, but he made then
clear, atr impressive.
& When he descended from the STAND
Mr.. Hardesty made speech, and con
ciuded by Introducing Mr.. Dubnison Q
!, nnelousas. who, throwing the rom
over the hobby1s head, mounted an
galloped him round the circle oI asten 2
il T. IN Aoo Sxr4Ef n