The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1900-03-09
ADDRESS OF R. H. HENRY
AZ the Meeting Of the National
Editorial Association.

" ~
leans Feb. %, by Mr.. L. H. Henry
president of the association and edito
OF the Clarion-Ledger. jackson, Miss.
Gov. Foster, Mayor Flower. ami Gen. Giimor,
anu Gentlemen OF the Committee:
FOR your courteous, cordial speeches; fol
your hearty, kindly greeting;
For your tender words of welcome, are W,
truly, deeply grateful.
by your generous. cheerful manner; by
your free n earnest method;
BY your frank and open faces, do we fee
that we are welcome.
Welcome to the Sunny Southland. with it
genial, balmy breezes,
Cherry homes and grand old places, choice
fruits and fragrant flowers,
welcome to dear old Louisiana, Creole
State of great renown;
10 its fertile hills and valleys; to its broat
and verdant plains;
10 the land of cane and cotton, fields of rice
and orange groves;
10 the home of grand old patriots, gallant
soldiers and statesmen wise.
Welcome to the Crescent City, home Of
comfort, elegance, ease,
With its bright and charming people, equal
the best of any cline.
1t were needless for me. on behalf OF
the National Editorial Association, tc
say that we appreciate to the fullest
this splendid reception, this magnificent
welcome, by the representative citizens
rf rttrinr, md Me-, n1.,nr, No., "a,
honor do we esteem it to mingle and
associate with a people who proudly
trace their ancestry back to the days OF
lberville, and whose records iIlumine
the brightest pages in the history OF
the country.
And as LaSalle took charge of this
territory, over two hundred years ago,
in the name Of the most powerful and
victorious prince, Louis NV, King OF
France in whose honor the State was
named, so do the editors of the United
States, desiring to extend their domin,
ion to these friendly shores, having
visited and conquered all other parts OF
the country, now take possession OF
this land of perennial bloom and ceru.
lean skies, for and III the name of the
National Editorial Association, and pro.
claim it theirs by right of voluntary
surrender, if not by discovery and con,
quest. And who is there to modest or
make afraid?
We are delighted to hold the fifteenth
anniversary of our association in New
Orleans, where it was organized fifteen
years ago, during the Cotton Centen-
NAL Exposition. As the wanderer in
many climes gladly ~revisits the scene
OF his youth, SO are we happy to return
to the home of our birth, to the lovely
Crescent City, known far and wide for
its generous hospitality, its warm
hearted people, its luxurious homes,
rare flower gardens, gallant men and
beautiful women; where we are well
coined with bright smiles, hearty hand
shakes, and the assurance that we are
at home and among friends.
The National Editorial Association is
what its name implies. national in char
acter. Made up of delegates from all
the States in the Union, it knows no
section, no party, its underlying princi-
pie being fr"tarnitv and good-fnn~"-
ship. A homogeneous organization,
without faction, partisan feeling or
sectional bias, it tends to broaden, lib
~eralize and fraternize, it's members
being equally at home in Massachn-
sets. California, North Dakota and
Louisiana. No pent-up Utica contracts
its powers. and when off on an annual
tour, it's members feel and act as one
great family; become acquainted and
fast friends for life.
1t is difficult for our members who
come from the far north to realize the
difference in temperature in this Il
try, or the changes wrought by a few
hundred miles of latitude. Leaving
their homes locked in the embrace Of
the ice-king, mother earth covered with
snow, and heavy wraps much N evil
dence, they here find real spring
weather, under these Southern skies,
with roses and violets in bloom, and
evenings comfortable outdoors, What
a change! What a delight!
Arriving in your city as the advance
guard of his imperial majesty Rex, with
New Orleans aglow in pomp and SPLEEN
dor, and gorgeous in it's carnival habili-
ments. we have seen much of interest,
wonder and amazement. We have been
RECALLED by regal carnivals by day and
enioved royal pageants by night; have
attended receptions, balls and enter
tainments. till sight became dim and
brain tired, wearied with the intoxi-
eating pleasure of the ever-changing
Kaleidoscope. In brief. we have seen
Mardi Gras-and shall not 500 forget
II The recollection Of it's grandeur. OF
historic tableaux, beautiful pictures
moving as though floating in air, Of
classic groupings, of exquisite blend
,nps, of princely robes, of rich costumes,
If pilded floats, of gay cavaliers and
dark-eyed maidens, will remain with
ne as beautiful memories, till we come
AGAIN and live over with you once more
these moments of perfect bliss.
We are happy to meet in this famous
old historic city, founded in IT'S by that
kind and good French-Canadian, Jean
Bieuville, who wrested it from Indian
,y;,ds and laid the foundation for this
great southern metropolis. Many OF onr
members. especially those who have
never before visited here, have tramped
through its quaint old quarters, and
speuding hours in its shops of antique
wares: have given a morning to French
Market, talked to the Gascon' bought
fr,it from the Dago, drank dripped