New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1917-09-22
AMERICA, ARMY, AIMING.
THE ELKS SLOGAN.

night covered itself with great
glory at the lavish entertainment
. and banquet given under it
} auspices to the select draft mel
and invited friends who left the
following morning to join thu
i United States Army.
Patriotism, and love of country
were in the air. A healthy at
mosphere seemed to have grow
| around the war problems and thu
war work which we have under
taken. Much of the convenient
and studied apathy and indiffer.
ence existing heretofore is being
rapidly dissipated by the rays OF
reason which is slowly penetrat-
ing every section of country. AL
1 fred Lewald acting as Exalted
Ruler in the absence of Julius
Maier opened the session with a
very happy and appropriate adj
dress. Emile Vuillemot, our
District Attorney, with an mex
haustible fund Of wit and humcr
presented in light vein the most
pronounced characteristics of the
philosophy Of war. interpreted
with anecdotes and stories the
| delivery over which he is a con
summate master he closed his
talk with an eloquent appeal for
steadfastness and unity Of spirit.
Mr.. Edwin Broussard explained
to the boys his experiences in the
army and the responsibilities they
are expected to face and live up
to, made telling impression not
only on those who are going to
join the army, but on the audi
ence as well. He dwelt lengthily
on the changed condition of war,
on the great requirements Of the
soldier, on the great tax OF
the physical and moral endurance
of the individual fighter and adj
monished each and every select
draft man to stand unfinchingly
by his gun and flag and to become
worthy of those deeds Of valor
and heorism which history has
recorded as the traditions and
contributions to our liberty from
our fOrebears. Tn feeling Ian
guage he made a touching request
to- the future soldier boys to pro-
tect with feelings of comradship
and fraternity a native boy of
Loreauville among them, who can
neither speak or write English
and make his life as cheerful and
as serviceable to the army as the
willingness of the boy justified.
Jules Dreyfus paid his usual
compliments to the elements Of
autocracy and in fiery language
exhorted the boys to outmatch as
soldiers Of democracy with theit
Unborn self-protecting instinct
and the spirit Of independent
American self-preservation the
automaton-soldier product Of
Prussian militarism who needs
orders and commands to geese
step and jump to the designated
spot on the hatfield. In scath
ing, vitriolic phraseology he ut
tered the severe condemnation of
the Prussian military assassin and
outlaw.
Hon. Il. Tasker Dulany with
his expected eloquence outdid his
former efforts and as father Of
soldier appeared as a great credit
to the sweep Of Americanism
which must conquer in this war.
With forceful terms and convinc-
ing rhetoric he expected great re-
suits and pregnant consequences
from the trench work Of the de-
parting soldiers.
Mr.. Gordon A. Sandoz closed
the speaking part Of the ceremony
and his speech was a fitting and
well appreciated end Of the talk
fest.
An exquisite, palatable buffet
luncheon was then served. The
thanks of the community are due.
to the officers of the Elks Lodge
for the tact and diplomacy which
made everything connected with
the entertainment work with
clock-like precision and regular
ity. The reception will be re-
membered many days by some of