The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1898-07-09
The Fourth of July.

anyone. The old fire of patrio-
tism had died out and the peo-
pie moved on with Il demonstra-
ton of indifference truly regret
able. This 6bliviousncss to the
day has grown upon the entire
people of the country generally
from causes which should never
have had any potency.
But on this, the 4th, there was
an awakening, attributable to
some extent, no doubt, to recent
occurrences of our mighty Re-
public in foreign lands and on
the oceans waves. But what
ever it was that aroused the long
dormant patriotism of this COM
munity, the fact is none the less
noteworthy that it was observed
with demonstration worthy Of it.
The people assembled in great
numbers, and the several COM
mittecs of arrangement were sue
cessful IN their varied efforts.
A flag pole had been set up,
measuring at least 50 feet from
the surface of the ground,
and at the hour of II III. the
starry banner was run up to its
top, and in the gentle wind
streamed gracefully out at full
length, displaying its heaven
born hues to the gaze Of thou
sand enthused observers. But
before it started on its ascension,
Miss Gussie Faunt Leroy deliv-
cred an original address in q very
audible voice, and with distinct
articulation, which was received
with admiration by all present.
She spoke of it as the symbol of
freedom, liberty-humanlty-the
peoples rights, and as such hon
ored by all nations and destined
to signalize the universal emanci-
patton of the nations from op-
preston and tyranny.
Miss May knickerbocker then
delivered in a forcibly impressive
manner, that exquisite poem to
the American flag beginning
.When freedom from her mountain height
tinfnrrd her standard to the air,
She tnre the azure hue Of night
And set the stars OF StOry-theIe, etc.
This was succeeded by national
airs melodiOusly discoursed by
the cornet band. Such were the
exercises in the open air on the
Court house square. But the
committees and a great part of
the attendants had already as
sembIed in the Court House
where organization was affected
and the ceremonies inaugurated
by an opening prayer by Key.
Father Engberink. This was fol-
lowed by the reading of the De-
claration of independence by
Miss Virginia St. Cyr, one Of the
talented young ladies of Opelou-
sas, and a recent graduate of the
st. Landry High School. These
exercises were interspersed by
appropriate music from the band.
Addresses were delivered by
Hon. E. d. Estilette, Laurent
Dupre, Esq, Hon. E. B. Dubuis-
son. w. j. Sandoz, Percy Og-
den and r. Lee Garland, all OF
whom did well. Thos. I'll. Lewis.
ESD, and Mr.. T. r.. Carroll de-
livered short addresses on the
square.
The Court Room had been ap-
propriately decorated by the la
dies Of Opelousas. who always
have an eye to the beautiful ano
who never fail in their efforts.
The procession which preceded
these various exercises, offcereo
| by Grand Marshal j. J. Thomp'
son. and Diomel Durio, Prof. y
T.. Guilbeau, Leon Dupre, b. IL
| Payy and Willis Prescott actine
as his aids, and preceded by
carriage occupied by young Ia
| dies bearing the glorious stand
ard. and the Mechanics Band
Then followed the Hook ane
Ladder and Fire Company, the
Police Jury, the School Board
mounted citizens and footmen II
long procession.
Good order prevailed all day
and everything was appropriated
done. The evidence amounted tt
proof that the spirit ,cf the pat
rriotism Of the years gone by stll
/ turks in the hearts of the people
recurring only a few leaders t.
devise opportunity for its demon
stration.
As the ceremonies of the vele
| bration closed, the evening tran
| brought in the New Orleans dal
lies containing the announcement
Of the destruction Of Admira
| Ceyera's fleet by that OF Com
mcdors Sampson and ochiey
and the arrival of the first expe
/ dition for the reinforcement Q
/ Admiral Dewey at Manila. Grea
excitement followed, and all con
lceded thatsthe 4thof July, A. =
1 1898. had been more gIorlousi..
celebrated al home and abroa'
I than ever before
III X