The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1902-12-20
GOOD ADDRESSES-BUT
SLIM AUDIENCE.

gressive League of this place
should have expected large at
tendance at the meeting held at
the opera house last THURSDAY
night in the interest of the wei
fare and upbuilding of the bust
ness interests of this city and
parish. 1t is quite likely that
they expected to see the building
literally packed with people who,
naturally, should have taken as
much interest in the project as the
members of the League themselves,
But, alas. they were wofulIy dis
appointed, since only a small
sprinkling of the people, so to
speak, turned out to welcome and
hear the able and distinguished !
gentlemen who had been invited |
to address them. 1t was, in the
Language Of the politician, veri-
! table frost for the philosophical |
gentlemen who had gone to the
trouble and expense of getting up
this "free show" for the benefto of
the business people of the copmu-
nifty. They had a right to and
did expect to see every mfn who
is engaged in any line of business
there, because the actuating mo
tive was the improvement and en-.
largement of that business. The
way to improve any linePf bust
ness is to agitate. work ana push.
This is the object and aim 81 the
i. League It's members wish to>at-
tract the attention of the outside
world, and capitalists in particular,
to the possibilities of this section
to show what we have to offer and
what can be accomplished by the
investment of capital and proper
labor. Isn't this sufficient to en-
list the sympathy and active CO.
| operation of every man and wo-
! man who wishes to see this sec
, ton advance, in a mercantile way?
5 Certainly it should be. Yet the
, people appear inert, Indifferent
J, and oblivious to there own welfare.
It is discouraging, to be sure, but
still the League will not despair
: nor relax it's efforts, but will labor
3 with redoubled energy and strive
r to arouse the people from their
: lethargy, their Rip Van Wrinkle
/. sleep, to a realization Of their
. opportunity and possibilities. We
d are sorry to be called upon to
e thus criticise the people for their
5 shortcomings and carelessness
but we do it with the hope that il
e may prove beneficial in the future
r and prevent a recurrence of Thurs
S day nights conduct on their part
e Mr.. j. NJ. Leyeque, the talented
g editor of Harlequin, one of thu
ablest aud most influential week
lies in the state, was the frs
1t speaker and took as his subjcc
:, .sThe Commercial Development O
| the Southwest" and held the care
IF full attention of his audience fo
9, at least half an hour. He hat
is prepared his address in adyaHc
IS and read it from the manuscript
He has fine voice and a com
n handing presence and will, /som
n, time in the near futureI ram
h among the leading orators |of tn
ne State. There Is no reason why h
Is should not. He posses ses tn
or ability, the voice and all other e.
De sentials except, perhaps, self col
lg fidence. He is little diffiden1
r. timid and distrustful Of his ow
ne fine ability, but this will be- owe
d. come in due time, and later on h
n clear, strong voice will often :
ne heard on the hustings pleading II
is right and justice and fair play an
ed progress. He has the interests
gh the State deeply at heart and
70, means to devote much Of his tin
to their development and expa
n sion. He is one of the rlslI
nd Young men Of the State. and thel
nd is no Just reason why he shoul
rp. not some day be its Governo
ad Mind you, we do not say this
in order to start a boomlet or Ia
he the wind out of tho one LeVeq
|ad has already started for our Oy