The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1918-02-23


conducted by the speakers bureau of
the Louisiana Council of Defense
proved one of the most successful and
impressive demonstrations of the kind
on record in this community, both IN
point of attendance and degree of en-
thusiasm and patriotism manifested.
The auditorium of the courthouse was
well filled with an assemblage OF rep
resentative citizens, every seat being
occupied and many persons standing
in the aisles.
Walter Lemann called the meeting
to order, and made a brief talk in
which he referred to the sacrifices
made by the boys who have joined the
colors, and urged the people at home
to display the same spirit of loyalty
and unselfshness by obeying without
a murmur the requests and regula-
tions Of the food administration and
the other branches of the government,
He then introduced as chairman Of
the meeting Rev. Father C. M. Cham
bon, pastor of the local Catholic
church, who was greeted with en-
thusiastic applause. In eloquent
language Father Chambon declared
that the Germans have ignored and
violated the laws of man and civilized
nations as we'll as the commands of
| Christianity. We of America have
not yet heard the booming Of cannon
nor the mighty tread Of armed hosts
as they thunder at our gates, but if
we do not arouse ourselves to the seri-
BUSINESS of the situation and make adj
equate preparations to perform our
part in the struggle, our sacred
shores may yet be invaded by the
ruthless barbarians who devastated
peaceful Belgium, sacked Louvain,
wantonly bombarded Rheims and its
historic cathedral, and capped the
climax of their cruelty and frightful-
ness by numbering and mutilating the
defenseless women and girls of Bel
GUM and France. Father Chambon
concluded by expressing the fervent
hope that God would open the minds
and hearts of the audience to the mes
sage that would be expressed by the
speakers of the evening.
L. E. Thomas, Of Shreveport,
chairman of the Board Of State At
fairs, was next introduced and de-
1ivered most effective and interest
ing address. He. stated that the time
has arrived when the people of Amer
lea must recognize the solemn, serious
responsibility resting upon them in the
pending crisis. The sinking of the
Tuscania, with the attendant loss of
scores Of American lives, is but a fore.
taste Of what is to come. The great
wars of the past pale into insignii-
canoe beside the present colossal con-
f1ict. A striking illustration of this
truth is found in the fact that the
/ United States has expended more
money in the past ten months than
during the entire period of the civil
war, which was Of four years dura-
1 ton.
The speaker reviewed the provoca-
ton for Americas entry into the
mighty combat, and declared that the
questions raised by Germany's over.
bearing attitude would never be set.
tied until they are settled right. He
said that he considers utilization
and Conservation" two of the most
important and expressive words in oul
language. Great inventions and &C.
complishments have resulted from the
utilization of products and substances
formerly wasted or undeveloped
Conservation is vitality necessary to 8
proper marshaling Of our forces anc
the successful prosecution of the war
Food must not only be conserved, but
more foodstuffs must be produced
Implicit obedience must be given tx
the orders of the food administration
/ A rigid observance Of wheatless days
lis necessary, because vast quantities
of flour will be needed for our asso
ciates in the war and our boys at the
front. Corn can't be exported as vel
as wheat, and consequently more Of
it should be consumed at home.
+ Another way in which everyone
can help is by buying thrift stamp:
land Liberty Bonds. "The govern
Iment does not ask you to give it YOU
money!" said Mr.. Thomas. ut mere
Fly wants to borrow it, at profitable
rate Of interest and with absolute as
surance of its return in certain
time. If we should be defeated il
| this war, the people Of the United
States will be heavily taxed for gen
erations to come to pay the immense
indemnities Germany will demand.
The speaker referred to the fine worl
done. by the school children Of tht
state in connection with the W. s.. S
campaign, and also took occasion tt
warmly commend the members of the
local Red Cross branch for theil
splendid display of patriotism. He
compared Stacker" to lazy mule
which, hitched in double harness
hangs back all the time, with trace
chains dangling and single-tree bump
ing against his legs, and let's the Other
mule pull the entire load.
Eloquent tribute was paid to the
indomitable courage and unfiinchine
determination displayed by the sol
diers of France at the battle Of Yer
dun, which epochal engagement the
Ispeaker characterized as the most mo
mentous of the present war, and in
fact one Of the greatest of all history
Even with their dying breath the fear.
less defenders Of the fercely assault
ed line exclaimed through gritted
teeth, "They shall not passp' And
their unconquerable spirit triumpheo
over the savage foe and saved the day
for France and civilization.
| Mr.. Thomas interspersed his re.
marks with several appropriate and
amusing stories, which brought home
to his hearers in an effective manner
the conditions he wished to describe
and added materially to their interest
| in and enjoyment of his stirring talk
Hon. Murphy j. Foster, formerly
governor Of Louisiana and United