The Progress., 1893-05-20

minded of the line of Tennysou's
Charge of the Light Brigade
Some one had blundered.' My first
impulse was to reply to this ilattering
invitation with the suggestion that
the choice OF substitute to perform
this important task should be prompt
ed by the forensic abilities and orator
ical talents of the individual rather
than his distingue air and the incl
dental circumstance that he Is the
best looking member of .he associa-
ton. Press of business-particular-
w in the press room-and indeclsiOn
as to the proper course to pursue II
the emergency. delayed prompt ac-
acknowledgement Of and response to the
presidents letter, and second mis-
sive came, urging me to accept the
proffered distinction and requesting
a reply by return of post. Fearing
that it might somewhat embarrass
the president and disarrange his
plans to leave town with such a va
cancy to fill on the eve of our meet
ing, / felt forced to yield to his so
licitation, but not without dire fore
bodings as to the result. Hence, it
is, ladies and gentlemen, that APP
pear before you, charged with duty,
the adequate performance of which
is far beyond the scope of my limited
capacities. Confronted by these
phalanxss of lovely faces; subjected
to the destructive force Of these bat
terics of bright eyes, under which
the most intrepid of the immortal
heroes of that gallant ride into the
Jaws of death" at Balaklaya might
have quailed and surrendered, | seem
to feel the premonitory symptoms of
something akin to buck ague tlut-
tering about my knee joints, and to
doubt my ability to proceed. 1t
might have been different, ladies, it
/ had exercised the forethought Of
our honored ex-president-the second
handsomest man in the association,
and left the madam at home.
The eloquent words Of greeting
aud of welcome that have fallen
from the lips of your spokesman, Mr..
Scarborough-faithfully portraying,
we are sure, the sentiments of the
whole-souled and hospitable people
of this historic little city-are deeply
appreciated by the assembled repre-
sentatives of the Press of Louisiana,
and we thank you, one and all, from
the bottom of our hearts.
The fame Of Natcbitoches hospital
ity is neither of recent origin or sud-
den growth, nor are its limits circum-
scribed by the boundaries OF our
State. Those of us who have been
among you before know the charm
ing construction of the fabric and
solid foundationupon which it rests.
We have had foretaste of the cor
diality and open handed generosity
with which you receive and entertain
your guests, and we know that even
the stranger within your gate is ex-
tended the hand of good will and
made to feel that here is place
where the traditions and traits of a
noble, courteous and kindly people
have not only been preserved in their
original purity, but have improved
with the march of time.
1t may not be amiss, ladies and
gentlemen, while acknowledging and
returning thanks for the hearty well
come you have extended us, that l
should, so to speak, introduce to you
collectively the guests who are to be
the favored recipients of your bounty
during this annual reunion of the
Louisiana Press Association. Among
the pencil pushers and type-stickers
comprising the membership of this
body, as you Review them from a
Marksville, Morgan City or Louisi-
ana standpoint, or all combined-a
comprehensive and Democratic Re-
view, 1 may term it, you will find
representatives of Shreveport
PROGRESS, Arcadia Advance. and
Natchitoches Enterprise; Sentinels,
Videttes and Watchman. standing
guard upon the tower Of liberty; Mes
sengers, Couriers. Rangers and Her