The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1911-05-05
HATTTESBURC MISSISSIPPI FRIDAY, AFTERNOON MAY 1911
SOJOURN Of The STATE
:, : BAR BROUGHT TO CLOSE

sponded to the toast "a Legal Con-
science" giving the subject that Sc
rious consideration it deserved, and
handling it with marked ability.
Concluding the toast speeches, "Pri--
vate" John Allen, of the State at large,
made his appearance upon the stage.
The POSTMASTER said he would not
select any subject for this speaker, but
would simply turn him loose;" and,
being turned loose" Private John
roamed all over the face of the earth,
but finally came back to the state of
his birth, saying he would take for his
subject, as an inspiration to speak
from and as an admonition to the
young men present, stand Up For
Mississippi"
He told how, 20 years ago, in COM
pany with Senator James y. George,
he came through this country on his
first visit, on his way to Columbia, and
of how, for the whole forty miles, they
saw nothing but stretch of pine trees
with only few houses.
Now you know l am devoted to
water" he said: everybody laughed,
while Private John took drink and
then continued, 80 we stopped at a
farm house and asked the old man,
who appeared, for some. While we
were refreshing ourselves, Senator
George remarked to the man, "Of
course you know Private Jno. Allen
OF Mississippi"
mo. never heered of him." candid
! ly answered the old gentleman, and
the Senator gave me a hunch which
said. that's one on YOU But" said
I, you do know the distinguished
Senator from this state, James y
George?"
mo, never heered of him either,
responded the man.
The point is this" said the speaker
llO lldlltI WndI LhC Il Sohul AhoJ
do for this country, it can never bring
more people here than there were pine
trees between here and Columbia then
saw more trees and fewer houses IL
forty miles that day than l ever saw
before or since; but now what have
) we?" He then referred to the rapi(
improvements since then; of the beau
) tiful homes dotting the landscape; O
the industries and cities built and O.
, the present prosperity; emphasizing
that one should not say this state il
, going to be" or Twill improve" bu
that it has and is improved.
: Mr.. Allen pointed out that the Pana
ma canal will bring new people ant
: new conditions to this state, but
. mississippi is rich in manhood in thu
? past, and, now as then, it's manhood
is its richest asset" declared tht
spe aker, urging his hearers to keel
their mind steadfast upon Mississippi
: and its manhood.
Mr.. Allen drew his inspiration, HI
= said, from l.. @. G. Lamar, while read
: ing law under him. Once, he said
when this state went republican, anC
: there was dark shadow over thu
land, he said to Mr.. Lamar that he wal
, going to quit this region and go some
= where where it would be easier to live
I The great Lamar, he said, took him t.
5 his own private study and said, John
I you will do no such thing; you owe l
I to your state and your people to sta!
I here and help fight the battle out.
Y Then and there" said the speaker, :"
2 consecrated myself and my services
S to my state" And in glowing prais'
| of his state, its past and present, AM
fattering visions of the future, h
= closed and the banquet was at an end