The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-08-11
ADDRESS OF WELCOME
10 Company g., L. S. n. g., Of Lake
Charles, by Private q. n. o. Watts,
ofthe Barrett Light Guards. of
Alexandria.

pleasure in bidding you welcome
20 the hospitalities of our City.
Lying almost in juxtaposItion
ana connected, as they are, by a
great line OF Railway, the cities of
# lake Charles and Alexandria
have much i'll common to awaken
4 spirit of interest in all that per.
tnlns to the welfare and up build.
ing Of each. In this age of mate
rial progress i'll which the magic
wand of mechanical and inventive
genius has touched aud quickened
into life an energy undying, spir-
it of progress unconquerable, an
activity, aud an achievement we'll
nigh Titanic in proportion and
G6d-iike in conception, these two
young and thriving cities have ris-
en- from their lethargy, forged to
the front ranks, and have cought
the spark from the fire of progress
that lights up all this broad land
of ours. Aud now to-day, almost
baud in hand, and | am sure,-
heart and soul together, they have
cut adrift from the moss covered
shores Of inactivity, obscurity and
sloth, and are steering straight
forward on the high seas OF cult.
are, refinement and prosperity.
Therefore, | feel that [ am but
voicing the sentiments of the best
element of Our city, when | tell
YOU that Alexandria heartily re-
I.jYices at this opportunity of vel
coming her sister city and is proud
of the honor Of entertaining you,
who represent 50 splendidly the
gaIlan,ry, the chlva'ry, and the
military spirit of Lake Charles.
With open hearts filled with re-
spect, esteem aud friendship and
with hands whose honest grip be-
tokens that hospitality OF which
old Rapides is so justly proud, we
bid YOU welcome, aud we assure
You that the short stay Of only a
few hours with us will be most
pleasantly recollected and will
serve, in u measure, to unite more
closely the common Ties that bud
cur cities together i'll everything
that will couduca to Our mutual
welfare and success.
Perhaps on au occasion like this,
it would be we'll to speak more
particularly Of the spirit Of militia
ry activity that is being awakened
throughout our State at the pres
emit time. Too much Importance
Uaunot be attached to the APP
preaching State Eneampment at
Shreveport, whittier you are
bound. 1t is IL well known fact
That a natiou's welfare, even in
times of peace, depends greatly
upon her military elulpment,-ln
fact her very independence, her
position and attitude with respect
10 other nations are measured by
the standard OF her army and her
navy. No nation or state can
hope to hold or command the
proper respect due to them from
the outside world, unless they
have back of them {, military pow
er sufficient to protect their inter
ests and enforce their rights.
Therefore it is peculiarly crafty
ing to us LouiSianians that so
mach activity is being eyinced,
such enthusiasm being aroused Oh
these lines, and such q wide, spread
interest is being manifested in re.
gard to the coming encampment
in the 'Queeu City" of North
West Louisiana 1t is perfectly
proper that such should be the
case, for it has ever been the proud
boast of Louisianians that they
have responded nobly to the call
Of duty and given their support
most literally to every plan that
tends to promote the welfare and
better the condition of their be-
loved State. We feel assured that
much good will result from the
mingling together around the
camp, fire, in the drill, the review
and in all the various exercises
participated in by the dihereDt
companies forming the First Regi
ment Of the State Guards. Be
meath the bright smiles and love
lit eyes of their different beautiful
sponsors in particular and the
sweet maidens Of Shreveport and
other towns in general, their sol
dierly hearts will leap with pride
and in rhythmic unison they vii
step to the front to receive thu
we'll earucd plaulits of admiration
responsive to their successful MA
neuvers, their soldieriy bearing
and magnificent showing.
But some narrow minded pessi
mist may say: "Why all this use
less expenditure What beneti
can accrue to the State at large
What good can come Of it all
Why in these piping times o
peace should frowning canuol
beluh forth in mimic fray, or brist
ling bayonet alright the peaceful