New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1912-05-04

ana WOIueH WHOSe hNCS Ao'"
part of the early history of this
country, l feel that it must occur
to many of you, the proud de.
pendants of that valiant band oil
pioneers of the new world; that
thew were not only the stalwarts
of a noble race, and the truest
coin of the human realm, measllr-
ing up to the heights of heroes
whose fame has been made the
theme of song and story; but
that these chivalric men and
oueenly women, descendants or
the proud Castillo, and the val
liant French Of the fur delis !;
were not only as proud, as gentle
and refined as the high civiliza-
ton from which they sprung, but
thew were the builders of a new
power in new world; laying the
foundation of its future GREAT
ness. and preparing the way to
liberty for themselves, and the
generations yet to come.
Even in this day of restless
energy, when it seems perilous to
pause, and more inviting to fix
the eye upon the future; no true
soul of Louisianian, can be indit-
fsrent to the story OF the past
history of his Country, but must
feel an exultant pride in its
achievements. The admission OF
Louisiana into the union, not only
mored the ship of State in the
safe harbor. of the Republic, but
the consumation of this destined
plan added power to the nation,
and greater glory to the Amer
can Republic.
Fellow citizens, Louisiana s adj
mission into the Union was an
event of SURPRISING Importance to
the American Nation as well as
TO the State itself. With the eX-
ception of our great civil war,
between the States; a war which
threatened the destruction OF the
Union. and the power of the Ma
ton; no political event in the his
tory of America, since the birth
of this great Republic, has mark
ID such epoch in her destiny, OF
added such prominence to its pow
err, and stability to her glory.
Many other great States have
been welcomed into the sisterhod,
of States. and have gloried IN
this achievement, gut their admls-
sion attracted slight attention at
home, and almost none abroad.
The Nations of the world were
not concerned; but the admission
of Louisiana, awakened four
great nations, to the realization
of the fact that the new Republic
of America had taken her place
among the Nations as the coming
power. destined to add peculiar
glory to the history of mankind
II is said that Plato thanked God
for three things. First because
he was a man, second because he
was a Greek; and third because ne
was the contemporary of Sopho-
cles.
Fellow citizens, we must thank
God today for many times threc
things. Let us now thank him
for the blessing Of being per
mitted to live in this age Of won
derful progress; in an age which
is about to witness the fulfillment
of thai promise which kind ma.
ture made to the inhabitants OF
this land of limitless possibilities
in an age when the world IS about
to acknowledge that it is the ap.
pointed office of America to lead
the Nations of the world TO d
higher, and better civilization
than the word has ever known; In
an age when we are beginning to
know that patriotism has a
broader, meaning than the mere
Pride in its material progress; in
an age when the young are being
taught that patriotism consists
IN that enlightened virtue which
inspires the citizen to honor thu
institutions and laws of his coun
try. by bringing to their support
those civic virtues, which form
the real basis of all National
greatness, and National glory
Finally my friend,, let us thank
God, that we, may now look for.
ward to the future, which awaits
our children, with an abiding
faith in promise Of happy des.
tiny.
But my fellow citizens, while
we enjoy the blessing Of an adj
vanced and advancing civilization
and feel that our Country is des-
tined to become the school oil
Nations, giving to posterity the
best benefits of the accumulated
achievements Of the ages, let us
not forget that history records
the downfall Of Empires, which
formed in their greatness, and
whose fate stands as solemn