The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1907-04-24
LAFAYETTE. LOUISIANA

who spoke most entertainingly upon
the subject of industrial Education
in the South
The industrial condition of the
South and its economic deuendence on
the North was spoken of, then the
four years struggle. followed by the
terrible days of reconstruction, the
high courage that Overcame every
difficulty and began a development
that won Northern capital to assist in
the new Industrial era. whose success
was assured by the brains and energy
of the men of the South. Miss Bien
venues Grafton won close attention
and she received prolonged az
plause.
Carl Hagins of jennings was in
troduced next. His subject was
Louisiana" He began by speak
ing of its coral formation and the
rich soil placed over it by the mighty
Mississippi: then he spoke of its first
inhabitants. the indians who rOamed
it's fertile plains, briefly referred to
its settlement by the whites, the ma
tiOns which ruled it, its passing under
American control, and it's great de-
velOpment. He closed by telling of
it's great wealth and it's wonderful
possibilities.
The Grafton was we'll constructed
and interesting and received both
merited attention and appreciation.
A. O. King of Lake Charles was
next. He had chosen as subject
''The American Flag"
He spoke of the flags of other ma
tions and what they stood for, then
passed to the American flag whose
stars and stripes represented neither
conquest nor empire, but was the en-
blem of liberty, bringing with its birth
in the modest home of Betsey Ross
in Philadelphia the hope. and guaran-
tee of freedom to those who paid it al
legiance.
He was listened to with interest and
was given a generous share of APP
plause.
Thomas Jefferson" was the sub
;ect taken by Miss Julia Mcmahon of
the Industrial Institute. She rapidly
sketched the life of the great states
man, skillfully choosing the salient
points to present the character of the
man through his wonderful career.
Her oration made an excellent i'm
preston and she received admiring
applause.
Wilfred Montague of Abbeville fol-
lowed next and interestingly talked of
Abraham Lincoln. He presented the
quality of greatness in the man that
raised him from lowly surroundings
by great deeds to the great Office and
the high esteem in which he is held,
presenting his life as an illustration
of that inexplicable mystery of nature
that implants in most humble and un-
promising individuals wonderful ca
pacity for achievement and leader
ship, which develops in the emer-
gencies of nations. His talk showed
both thought and originality and
brought him hearty applause.
James Ruark of Leesville had for
his subject Louisiana the Queen of
the Gulf" He spoke of her great
men, her industries, her minerals. her
and the grand future of the
State as . result of the Panama
Canal. He handled his subject we'll
and proved to be an entertaining
speaker, winning much applause.
'"Tennyson's Message to Mankind"
was the subject selected by Miss Eula
Talyor of New iberia. She began by
speaking of the wonderful influence of
the rhymes of Mother Goose and other
jingles upon the impressionable minds
Of the young, then passed to the en-
nobling words of Burns or a
Wordsworth that spoke the language
Of the heart and taught the nations
ruth in their inspiring verse. Every
rue poet had message for the world
and Tennyson was q true poet and
prophet. In crises of national life,
the true poet bore message to his
people, as did Tennyson in the days
when the education of women and the
of the soul engrossed the
minds of men, for then his lofty metre
carried inspiration and pointed guild
ance. Miss Taylor spoke we'll and
she discussed her subject in such an