The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1901-01-27

sov, r. ment aud for long period directed
its sfftrs with great enterprise, signal
ability and skin, and conspicuous fidelity
and devotion 10 duty.
Indeed hls administration Of the office
was a marvel OF efficiency and model Of
excellence, The parish courthouse in the
public square at Shreveport, one OF the
finest ediices Of the kind in the state
1t .uds a lasting monument to his memory.
The movement for the erection originated
when ne was st the head Of the police jury.
He was largely Instrumental IN carrying
the measures through, and the chief factor
in pushing the enterprise to successful
contamination. 1t was reared under his
immediate superintendence and watchful
eve, seeing to 1t that every dollar Of its
$50, COO Of cost received its equivalent in
sound material. which went into the struc
ture and sound work msnship upon it.
But his sphere OF effort and OF achieve
ment was not confined to Caddo parish. 1t
embraced the State. de took an active
interest and prominent part in all the
move meuts for her regeneration hnd emsn-
cipatiop from the thrsldom and misrule
Of reconstruction times. 10 overthrow
the intolerabe condition OF putlic affairs
then existing, he went into politics and
became leader OF note In the Democracy
of Louisiana.
There were times in the history OF the
State when it required sterling manhood,
fearless effort and sell.sscrl6cing devotion
u tie party 70 successfully encounter tue
obstacles that stood In its path.
here was an era when meI had to d 4ht
for the issue OF popular government ard
the liberties of the people with the certain
ty of Federal prosecution confronting
them; when the arrogance of a carpet.bag
government, backed by Federal bayOnets,
trampltd under foot the rights OF the
citizens aHG scfffed at the efforts OF the
people to maintain civil liberty. An era
when Official corruption permested the
admlnistra'iOn OF public Office, when pub
lie justice was a by-word, when an alien
cOnsts0ulsrS terrorized the weak ana help
less and plundersd the powerful.
Emergencies like these bring men to the
front and Captain Foster was a product Of
that era.
He and the many. .Others associated in
the movement tor the restoration OF the
government of the State to the hands OF
her own people, the intelligent and prop
ertv holding classes, wrought well their
part, for in 1871, after nine years OF carpet
bag despotism and corruption, the Dsme-
cracy triumphed. Nichols became gov.
ornor, = new constitution followed, and
again did Louitians, regensratsd, assume
her rightful place in the sisterhSod Of
States.
He was 3 conspicuous figure in every
Democratic convention; his judgment was
sought and his counsel carried grea
weight. He had much tossay as to the
men who should be chosen to, tllimportant
stations, but sought not Office for himself.
Thus, for more than quarter Of a cen
fury he wss..s power In the State. hi
qualities, OF leadership were innate and
their accompaniment was a strong personl
ity.
He was eninently 70 man OF nsirS, of
clear .pere ephOn, remarkably
sound judg neni, great tenscity OF purpose,
iudomItsble will and untiring energy. A
man OF AFR native traits Of character.
Of positive views, Of aggressive tempera>
ment, bold yet discreet, fearless, self
reliant, rich in sxpedlent, tremendous in
execution.
He acknowledged not defeat, was uE-
daunted at seemingly inturmountable OBJ
stacles, knew NJ faltering, faced great
odds with resolute determination, went in
with vim and will and courage and com
mon sense to accomplish his lends, and
usually did do,
His aim was to stand for the right in the
Affairs OF life and he was generally found
on III at side
Beneath a somewhat severe exterior
there beat q heart at once sympathetic,
generous and charitable.
Necessarily and properly such a man
welded great in fluence among mis- fellows
skd his loss is deeply deplored.
His last illness lasted ten days and was
just the ebbIng away u his life, the bnsn-
ing cut Of the taper till there was no more
to burn.
His death was quiet and peaceful; he
met the dread summons with Christian
tortltu de; ready and willing to meet his
Maker and enter into rest.
In the gathering twilight OF the. dying
century, his work <aone, mis- loved State
entelinS upon thssunburst OfIrJsperi,y
the cid hero "w{aps the drapery Of hi
couch about MIN and lies down TO pleassu Z
Dreams" X.