The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-06-15

II is a pleasure at all times 10 lay
os;ae for 81 season the cares Of every
day life. and to mingie with one
another In that unaffected intercourse
and that friendly exchange OF greet,
iugs which is the parent good will ana
fellowship. But it is all especlai
pleasure when we can gather together
under auspicies such rs these, ocnea'h
the blue canopy Of heaven, anu sur
rounded by creation in all her lowell
ness. when The eye delights IN her
beauty and her symmetry, aud man.
kind stands ia grateful rapture anu
oazes from nature 10 It's Oou. we
live in a land of sunshine and OF now
ers--a land blessed with fruitful SOIL,
a genial climate and yiriuous people.
There is something in the balIny ar
We breathe that seems at times 10 MI
the soul above aud beyond ills narrow
tenement of clay--there is a voice
that speaks from its depths in clear
vet silent tones, aud points with index
finger unto the Great Architect OF our
being. who holds wi,hin the hollow OF
his hand the destinies of nations.
And SO with grateful hearts have
we assembled hero to-day TO accept
of the hospitality of Providence Fire
Company and to congratulate hor upon
| the c, LIBERATION of her twenty-fitth an
niversary. Unto the firemen we owe
great deal, aud there are times when
gratitude cannot repay the debt we
owe for their gallant services. We
are in measure dependent upon them.
1t is 10 them that we confide the safety
of our homes and the preservation OF
our property. Iu the dead honr OF
night, when the angry flames spread
death. desoiatiou and ruin over the
face of a sleeping world, it is then
that the noble fireman leaps from his
couch and hastens to the rescue
There is scarcely daily paper that
does not contain the thrilling story OF
some great fire in crowded city,
where tho firemcn, forgetting them
selyes and their loved ones at home
rush into the flaming folds of the fiery
demon add sacrifice their lives for the
lives of others. Instances Of this kind
occur every day, and each succeeding
day but repeats the story of the other.
Providence Fire Company Is quite
| venerable institution. To-day che
s,auds before you twenty-five years
old and I'm the full vigor of her former
DAYS. Upon her roll are, and have
been inscribed the names of some Of
: East Carroll's foremost citizens. Some
who have been with us IN years gone
by, are with us no more. canno
mention them now, for the time woult
!, not allow me 10 do justice to them al
and to give unto each his due; bu
there Is one would select from thei
number, and unto whose memory
would pay short, but fitting tribute
d OF respect. ] refer to Col. d. l.. Nor
!. gan. AS long az he lived, Col. Morgan
q was the life of the Fire Company. l
was unto him that its members looke'
for guidance and tor encouragement
for timely counsel aud for leadership
J. Ills whole soul seemed to be in tn
% Gre company and l have seen him 0
occasions like these, when night woul
20 draw aside her sable cutain and tn
IF morn of May come forth blushiDg
Is her garb of green, and bedecked wit
natures dewy diadems-l have see
bin say, come out in his red shir
his heart swelling with honest prid
&c and his face beamipg oil over with tt
IN freshness of boy. 1t was pleasu'
We to sec him here in the midst OF Il
.. children, paying his tribute TO Il
90 queen of May--his white hairs min
re ling with tho sunny locks of childhoo
and his merry laughter joining their
as they gathered around the flor
ne throue Of their queen. lie is sleepil
no to-day just across the silvcry laS
:. beside the sloping bank, where 1t W
"a his pleasure on summers owe
tb stroll and listen to the music of q
he waters or tho childish prattle OF h
!. children. Peace be unto his asht
~ May the fragrance of the rose al
honeysuckle that deck this floral see
be waited to him OH the bosom of Z
la zephyrs, aud may the soft wooing
of the winds find voice to tell him III
:, he is not forgotten. Aud here in t
~ midst of this scene Of beauty and
or pleasure, where he was wont to ling
IN, even rs We uO uuW~ofCH hCio iOt
10, pluck one flower aud drop it
memory's sacred casket, as an buml
but heartfelt offering unto him who
gono forever.
Is As we are honored to-day by +
ate of the old soldiers of the Confedera
i'm on the one hand, and the rising III
hood of the South on the other, p
la' haps il will not be out Of place for
AK to refer briefly 10 the right of
to Southern states TO withdraw from
Union, and TO the constltutio
grounds upon which this right
:. based. In other words l mean to {
" cuss very briefly the right OF secessi
at which our fathers maintained with
ast. much zeal, and for which they fou
nos with 80 much courage aud patriot
Aud would ask my young comra
HISS especially to give me All attentive
idal not Oh My own personal account,
.nts because the principles 10 which
would refer were consecrated by
best blood Of our common country
The position take then is the p
ton of our fathers-namely, that
It Of Southern states had a constitute
man right 10 seccde from the Union
-. each state was sovereign and iDdepe
u's ent; aud that in adopting the Con