The Opelousas courier., 1891-06-13
Louisiana Press Association.

Our attendance at the meeting of the
United Confederate Veterans Associa-
ton at New Orleans, and jackson,
Miss, last week, prevented our return
home in time to make any mention of
our trip to HUSTON in the last issne of
the COURIER, and an accumulation
OF work during our absence will pre-
vent our giving as full details as we
would wish of the pleasant reunion
OF the Louisiana Press Association and
its incidental diversions. However it
is due to the enterprising citizens of
Alexandria, Ruston and Monroe that
we should make some acknowledge
ment of the courtesies SO liberally ex-
tended the members of the press on
this occasion. The delegation of 8 or
y of the Press gang which reached
Alexandria on the night of 23d May,
were fortunate indeed 10 having fallen
into the hands of that prince of rnstiers
F. M. Welsh, Esq. who was on the
train that reached there that night, and
who unceremoniously captured the
entire gang -and did not release his
guardianship until the following even
ing at 6 o'clock when we boarded the
T. P. train for Shreveport. In the
meantime we were shown every atten-
ton, and received a cordial welcome
from the progressive citizens of 'the
future great" Mr.. Welsh was indefa-
tigable in his efforts in our behalf, and
he was ably assisted by Messrs. NlarFe.
Chaplain, Mccormick and other wide
awake citizens of Alexandria. We
were afforded ample opportunity to
verify the claim of the Alexandrians
that their city is on boom and their
citizens have s'got u move" on them
and very vigorous one at that and
it is not surprising that such should be
the case when we say that the active,
energetic, enterprising aud lndomnita-
BILE E. M. Welsh is con deck" making
things lively in his customary style.
Although young town, Ruston
possesses many attractions, its educa-
tional facilities in particular, being
worthy of special mention besides
handsome and conimodious school
buildings and colleges, the Louisiana
Chatauqua, situated about mile and "a
half from the town, stands as monn-
ment to their progressiveness and in
telligence. Much credit is due, for the
success of the Chatauqua, to the Rev.
t. X. Fauntleroy, whose earnestness
and activity as minister of the gospel
and friend of education, are as vigorous
and effective as were his patriotic SER
vices as brave and gallant Confed
crate officer in the "late unpleasant
Dess.n
The reception accorded the Louisiana
Press association at Ruston was most
cordial and hospitable one-in keeping
with the high claims of the Rustonites
to an advanced position in the line of
progress, prosperity, and public spirit.
While full credit should be accorded
to the entire community for their gem
erous, open handed hospitality to the
members of the Press, we wish to
express our special acknowledgements
to Messrs. Smith and Bell, of the
Caligraph for special favors, and to
Mrs. Burt Sealy, under whose hospitable
roof it was our good fortune to be
assigned during our stay in the beauti-
ful little city of Ruston. Ii would re-
quire much more space than is at our
disposal to do anything like justice to
the royal reception we met with at
Ruston, and to the brilliant and lavish
hospitality accorded us at Monroe, and
while we propose to review at some
other time, some of the many interest
ing and instructive incidents of the
occasion, we must content ourselves,
for the present, with this shors resume,
from an appreciative exchange, of the
experience of the Louisiana Press
Association at Monroe.
Monroe knows a good thug when
she sees it and SHE did herself great
credit in extending such lavish hospi-
tality to the press of the state; in
throwing wide open her gates and not
only welcoming ue to tie enjoyment
of tile freedom Of tho city and sumpt-
uous banquet feastiug us nearly all
Bight--but in conducting us in hacks
and busses all over the fair and beauti-
fal city that sets like a queen upon the
banks of tile majestic old Ouschita.
None OF us will soon forget our hospi-
table and generous reception at Monroe,
pestling in the shade of her grand old
oaks, yet full Of busting manufacturing
and commercial activity aud life.
Monroe is lovely town, Inhabited by
large hearted, refined and noble
people.
Tie next meeting Of the Association
will be held in Alexandria, La.
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