The Natchitoches enterprise. (Natchitoches, La.) 1888-1965, 1918-07-18
A MEMORABLE
CELEBRATION.
u. L. BreazeaIe, Official Reporter)

the celebration in honor of the FL
ench Nation, in commemoratlon OF
the great fete day of those noble
people, the anniversary of the Fall
of the Bastile was most fittingIy
observed.
As has been the custom for the
past six years, that little band OF
French students at the Normal,
that has formed themselves into the
"Cercle trancais", and annually
observed the anniversary of the
Day of Liberty of their Motherland
under the leadership of their wor-
thy president, Miss Noelie Hart,
prepared to observe it again for
the seventh time, but when infor-
nation was received that this year
the observance would be Nation
wide and the great American Re
public would in semi official way
observe this day in honor OF our
ally-France-and commemorate the
struggle for Liberty and Democra-
! cy against Autocracy, the citizens
committee on Patriotic Endeavors,
composed of Judge Cunningham,
NJ. H. Carver, Phanor Breazealt,
j. d. Rusca, D. j. Hyams and S.
Katie, was requested to take charge
and under the stimulus of the pur
pose and object, arrangements were
soon perfected.
The spacious, beautiful grounds
of the State Normal, an historic
spot, were chosen as the scene of
the ceremonies; under the manage
ment of Pres. Roy and a corps of
able assistants, the plateau east of
the academic building was trans
formed into a great amphltheatre.
Back of the stage, on the wall of
the building, were hung the flag of
our country and those of our allies.
the Stars and Stripes in the center
fanked on either side by those of
Belgium, GreatBritian, France and
Italy; above these was the Isl IS
Service flag of one gold star sur
rounded by 81 service stars The
shrubbery, flowers and stately trees
made an attractive background and
setting; at every available place
throughout the grounds were the
Tri-colors of France supported on
each side by the Stars and Stripes.
Over tie i.st flight of steps at the
head of the North entrance was sus
pended large French Tri-color,
as each passed beneath its folds a
salute was given in veneration and
admiration for the valor of the men
of France who are following it and
bearing it aloft to a great and Clio
rious victory.
Long before the hour fixed for
the ceremonies, people began to
gather, and when the hour ar
rived, some three thousand had
gathered, representing every ma
tionality of the allied countries,
as well as loyal Germans and
Austrians who hate Prussian au-
tocracy and militaryism as much
as any; they came from every
part of the parish and from four
adjoining parishes: more than two
hundred automobiles that brought
visitors were assembled on the
grounds.
An attractive program has been
arranged. The 154th Infantry
Band from Camp Beauregard,
with Capt. Harry P. Schaefer as
leader, had been secured and en-
tertaiued the assembly for more
than an hour, rendering airs OF
the allied nations, and the national
anthems Of each. which elected
hearty applause. Two numbers.
other than the national anthems,
attracted special attention for the
artistic rendition Miserere" from
III Trovatore and the BARITONE
solo by Private Roy Barnes.
The program was opened by
Judge w. /. Cunningham, who
acted as chairman, with appro-
pirate remarks. The invocation.
by Rev. Father Barland, S. j. OF
Shreveport, was most inspiring
and appropriate. La Aiarsel.
laisc by the assembly with band
accompaniment was inspiring. The
DIST Psalm was read by Mr.. Isaac
Marcus in most impressive man.
ner. A quartet, Mr.. R. Chaplin.
Miss Joe Bryan, Miss G. Moore.
MIR. Cecil Mc(jlung, rendered
60 f,.: r. ..