St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1910-09-03

have addressed Governor San
ders, urging him to give up the
senatorship which was within his
grasp and remain as governor Of
until the exposition enter
prise shall be assured by the votes of
the people and by an act Of Congress,
The governor listened TO she APP
peal made to him, and he replied to
it by %aceeding to its urgent request
without the slightest hesitation or
delay. With what must be consider
ed an extraordinary public honor
waiting the disposal ,,of a young
man, who has set out to gain dis
tinction in a great public career, it
required unusual courage and remark
able devotion to what was represent
ed to him as a public duty to induce
him to sacrifice what may be con-
sidered the crown Of a public poll
teal career in this country.
IT is in accordance with the ear
nest wishes Of the citizens who have
addressed him on she subject that
the governor has replied:
- take it that my first duty, in
every instance, is to serve to the
best Of my ability the people Of LODI
isiana. | believe, with you, that the
securing of the Panama Exposition
for the city Of New Orleans is the
most important undertaking before
our people.
believe, if we can convince
Congress that this exposition should
be located in New Orleans, a great
day of awakening IS in store for us,
not only of Louisiana, but Of the
entire South. and Of the great Mis-
sissippi Valley. Our wonderful UNI
developed resources, our latent
wealth, will then receive the atten.
ton of the world, and from this at
~tention will come unbounded prosper
ity to this section, and our develop
ment will bring wealth untold to the
entire Union.
You tell me that, ii your opinion,
| can better serve the exposition by
remaining governor than By accept
ing the position as United States
Senator, to which I was elected by
the Legislature.
All of my personal predictions
indicate that Tshonid accept the cfice
of United States Senator. It has
long been an ambition of mine to oc-
cupy d seat in that great delibera-
tive body, but no mans ambitions,
and no personal predictions should
govern in a matter of this kind. The
exposition means more to the people
of Louisiana than anything else, and
if / can better serve the cause BY
remaining Governor, / stand ready
and willing to forego the election te
the United States Senate and devote
my time and my energy to this move.
ment as Governor.
wish to make my position
perfectly clear, both tc you and Il
Z. the DeoDle of Louisiana.
Acting upon your suggestion,
will decline to qualify as Senator
and will continue to serve as Govern
or. / will exercise the prerogativr
vested in me by the law, and vii
make an appointment to the Unite,
States Senate, which now can dc
and which | could not have done ba
the Legislature failed to elect
This is a magnificent response t
what must be considered a call t
duty, and SO great is the sacriie
that it rises to the heights Of heroi
patriotism and should elicit the higf
est admiration from the people VII
have placed the hero where he j
!, ''The Governor gives notice ths
. he will hereafter appear before II
9 people Of the State for their supper
in a primary election in which b
{ will offer himself as a candidate 4
the Senatorial toga, which he has {
: nobly declined at the call Of his fe
q low-citizens, who need his great SO
vices in his present position, an
9 this announcement only emphasize
J the greatness Of the sacrifice he hi
c made so that he may render a gre
and patriotic service. This mob
T and courageous act should claim ey'
Y the admiration Of his personal al
e political opponents, and, as for +
q foes Of the ~expositioa, it should she
! them their impotence # it cannot d
arm them Of their hate.
Il OpelOusas Institute.