St. Landry democrat., 1891-07-04
The Picnic in Cottingham's Woods.

very HGest III the parish. In fact, W,
thlnk we are warranted in saying ther,
Is as much general cultivation and ele
gance in that community as can b'
found anywhere. The landscape is il
some degree romantic, and the more sc
for the grandeur Of its prmeval woods
and the beauty and gracefulness of the
clustering vines which abound there
Underneath these a stand was erected
for the speakers, and seats prepared fol
the audience. People gathered at an
early hour, and all was as calm and de-
corous as though they had gone there to
worship God instead of stirring up the
cesspools of politics.
At the hour of II a. H., Chas. Steele
Esq, took the stand and with the diff
aence of girl Of sweet sixteen, intro
duced as the first speaker the Rev. Mr..
Carroll, from prairie Plaisance. This
gentleman pOunced on "old Norris"
and if there was anything denunciative
of him, as a lottery man, which he did
not say, it was because his face hurt
him, and he forgot it. He said nothing
about the Alliance, further than to pro-
claim it's purpose to whip and down" old
Norris" and to exhort the brothers and
ladies to unite in the struggle, and to
j DIN at the great throne of Grace, for
the help of One who is mightier than
man. aid u.s." said he, "by your
prayers, and ask God to help us. If l
were beautiful young lady" Gust
what a transformation it would
require to make him one), land my
beau favored old Morris'j lottery bill,
I'd show him the door," Having reach
ed the climax of powers of Imagination
he descended from the stand, whilst the
grand old woods continued to echo with
' old Morris"
Mr.. Lafargue of the Alexandria Vi
lette was the next speaker. He inter-
ested the audience for about one hour,
by speech of much elegance, symmet-
y and elocutionary style. He speaks
we'll, and deals ably and peasingly with
lis subject. There was no "old Nor
is " in his speech, and yet he present.
ID his objections to the lottery revenue
with far more force of rea-
oning and plausibility than did the
Rev. Mr.. Carroll. He gave running
history of the Alliance from its origin
Il Texas, spoke of its rapid growth and
Is extension in fOrty-three states, of its
Geat numerical strength, its political
and of its future pos
Utilities. Said that it had been disap-
ointed in the course pursued by Grover
cleveland, who, strange to say, with al!
is eminence as candidate on the
democratic side, for the next Presiden- |
7, had succumbed to the influence of
Vail street, and thereby lost the sup |
ort Of the National Alliance. He also
)oke Of the great increase in the num- i
er of millionaires. The power of mon
)olies was described by him and one s
gnal instance of it was dwelt upon.
g counseled unity in the fraternity, in '
g election of Governor, Senators and 7
representatives. said they must carry
ese through. Touching the local Of 7
ers, he said he did not think it incum- h
mt on him, as representing the Ali-
ce, to tender any suggestions !; that as r
them, the people should exercise their +,
scretion. His speech was all in good
ste, and was listened to with respect W
attention throughout. At its close, o1
lner was announced and partaken of. a,
nple preparations had been made and
cry one Jared sumptuously. Moth 81
, occurred of an unpleasant character. n,
9 young folks got up play, as an "
erlude, at the conclusion of which
meeting was called to order by Mr.. A
lman who introduced Major NJ. r. F,
lson as the next speaker. ra
his gentleman proceeded to speak of sp
lottery, and denounced it from the
ginning to the end. II he said any da
ng about the Alliance, it escaped our in
ention. He did say it intended to sp
Vn the Monster Lottery Company. mi
= Major leaves no room to doubt his pi'
ition or his size, on that question, and TIN
strongest lottery man to be found th'
st admire his honest zeal, although ole
night repudiate some of his conclu-
IS. We have not the space to intro Pc
9 even a synopsis Of his remarks, to
it will suffice to say that il there Ne
any mercy in bim for the revenue slli
ndment, its presence was not indi- tul
d by single utterance. If the wit
or could WELD omnipotent power, ha'
le future rewards and epunishments lea
ire taught to believe in, we do not
eve any lotteryite could have any
. Of pardon or salvation. He would lea
and relentlessly give We
n-well, we know where it is ere
sinners against light and knowl- the
are finally sent, and therefore will tina
print the name. He is enthusiastic ure
in bis concluding denunciation, lie peo
He'd to our mind Dante's description tha
.ntaus when handing Virgil and nee
self CD down into the terrible rae
S OF the ninth region or circle, mo-
i'd the borders of hell. Here he left nci'
lottery and its without ina
hope Of extrication. pai
:. Lafargue was again presented, -
this time addressed the audience 'o
he French language which he no
ks with native or natural fuency. H