New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1917-11-17
VICTORY OR WORSE.

served last Thursday night at the
home of Mr.. Joel Fisher in honor
Of Mr.. Edward +. Bahon who
left yesterday for France, taking
charge for the United States Gov
eminent of the distribution of a
part. of the military mail and
parcel post to the American sol
diers now in the French trenches.
Patriotism and love Of country
were the keynote features Of the
toasts. The unity Of sentiment
displayed in the references to the
war problems augurs well for the
solidarity Of this Nation, and co
determination to obtain perm
anent and triumphant settlement.
There is nothing more inspiring
in human nature, no thrills have
a deeper and more emotional IN
fuence on man s character than
the spirit of sacrifice in the noble
and lofty cause for human liberty
and rights of man. Man is at his
best when separated from indi-
vidual selfshness and the menac-
ing appetities of greed and lusts
Of loot. the lustre of the soul
shines with divine crystal clear
ness when its rays are focused
on the destinies Of the human
race. Occasions like this will dis
play with unerring mastery con-
viction the manifestation of the
coming, fast approaching spirit
of the universal brotherhood of
man and fatherhood of God.
Those are the fundamental ela-
ments and the immovable, lmmut-
able rocks upon which patriotism
can be maintained and enjoyed as
a part of the system Of free gov
eminent under which we have
chosen to live and which is indls-
pensable to the healthy, rational,
orderly embodiment of human life.
In a republic or democracy
patriotism, is not and cannot be
a hot house plant. 1t is not an
artificial growth Of our public
school system, inculcated by other
educational institutions as an or
nament or an insignia of modern
tastes and habits, but a part, a
real live part of the wool and
web Of our national fabric. This
is the invincibility. the hides
tructability of the spirit. the gen
ius, the soul Of this Nation. No
matter what test is imposed upon
it. it will be a match in power Of
resistance in the capacity to re-
ceive punishment, in pugnacity,
in courage and determination TO
face any conditions of either do
nestle or foreign hostility and
antagonism. This spirit called
grit, an American product char
acteristic of the sovereignty OF
citizenship is what is going to
obtain complete and decisive &C
ceptance of our National ideal
and also complete the liberation
and redemption Of the peoples
Of the whole universe. Autocracy.
the cunning master and the direc-
tor Of force, power and nigh.
senses it's near defeat and extlnc-
ton. The desperation, the ruth
..essness, the ~: barism displayed
by them in the prosecution OF this
conflict, this courage, reflects
merely the despair into which
abyss the savage rulers hedged IN
by their cult of divine right, have
been stepped.
The spread was triumph OF
the culinary art, acquired and
practiced by the host and hostess,
Mr.. and Mrs. Joel Fisher. Both
the service and the delicacies
grooming on overloaded tables not
only tickled the most fastidious
palate Of the Epicure, but were
delight and an extreme exhll-
aration to those who are not yet
received and acknowledged vet
Grams of the gastronomic art as
ISOLATION. Many fine toast de-
livered during the courses under
the able and mastery skill and
ability Of Hon. Ventress J. Smith,
the POSTMASTER, aroused the feel
ings of everybody to the highest
pitch of patriotic fervor and zeal.
With standing toasts drank to the
health of the host and hostess, the
party reluctantly dispersed. The
following gentlemen participated {:
Hon. James Simon. J. s. Power,
Jules Dreyfus. f. Vuillemot, Prof.