the state, and so far as is compatible with public affairs, that the business of the state, parishes and municipalities be suspended, so that all public officers may assist in making the celebration the success the occasion deserves.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and caused to be affixed the great seal of the state, this 6th day of April, 1912. J. Y. SANDERS, Governor.

New Orleans, La., April 10th, 1912.

To the Citizens of New Orleans:

The centennial anniversary of the admission of Louisiana as a State of the United States will be celebrated on April 30th, 1912, in accordance with Act No. 107 of the General Assembly of Louisiana of 1910, with the assistance of the city of New Orleans in its official capacity, under the auspices of the Louisiana Historical Society.

All the ceremonies will be presided over by the Governor of the State, who, by his proclamation, dated April 6th, 1912, has asked all the people of the state to participate, those not able to come to the city of New Orleans being requested to have some form of celebration at their homes, and he has directed, in so far as same is compatible with public business, that all official functions be dispensed with, and also that there be a holiday in all the public schools of the state, and in this I concur in so far as the city of New Orleans is concerned.

The main celebration will take place in the city of New Orleans, which was the capital when Louisiana was admitted as a state, and where sat the Constitution Convention of 1811 under which the state was organized.

Among those who will be represented will be the President of the United States, the ambassadors of Great Britain, France, Brazil and Mexico, and the ministers of Spain and the other republics of America; and to add to the importance of the occasion three United States war vessels have been ordered to our harbor and a naval parade, unequaled in the history of this State, is contemplated as part of the proceedings.

I, therefore, enjoin upon the people of this city, that they assist in the celebration in every way, and that business houses so ar

range their affairs as to allow their employes, as far as possible, to participate therein, and I ask the private and parochial schools of the city to join with the public schools in giving a holiday to all the children so that as many as can do so may take part in great event and learn of the glory and history of our state.

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The committee in charge has made special arrangements for the children at the Jackson Square, and their attendance, as future citizens of this state and our great country, will add much to the charm of the celebration and its completeness. No state of the Union has a greater future before it than Louisiana, and in caring for the present and working for the future, we must not forget the glories of the past; because "if we are not true to the memories of the past, we cannot be true to ourselves," and "monuments are a debt which posterity owes to history.”

I hope that the coming celebration may be the means of placing on foot the work of erecting in this city some great monuments to those who established Louisiana and founded New Orleans.

MARTIN BEHRMAN, Mayor.

THE PARADE.

The parade was the most elaborate, brilliant and successful display of military and civic organizations that has been witnessed in New Orleans for a long time.

Thousands of people lined the streets, and crowded at doors and windows, to admire the magnificent parade, in which were to be seen distinguished representatives from our own country and from abroad; and the sailors and marines from the United States warships, the State militiamen, infantry, cavalry and artillery, and the stalwart soldiers from the United States barracks. Many stores and business houses and private residences were handsomely decorated for the occasion. Canal street, from Rampart to Decatur streets, was appropriately "en fête" with trophies of flags and banners, and long vari-colored streamers extending from post to post along the spacious neutral ground. Each post was ornamented with escutcheons and intermingled colors of France, Spain and the United States. The decorations were greatly admired by the multitude. They were designed and ordered by the committee of the Louisiana Historical Society, on Decorations, of which Mr. H. Gibbes Morgan is chairman.

It was an ideal day for a parade. Nature smiled upon the patriotic celebration in her most charming garb. It was such a spring day as perhaps only the balmy climate of Louisiana can vouchsafe. The heavens were fair and in smiling mood. A gentle breeze tempered the rays of the orb of day, which blazed like a gigantic oriflamme in a sky of spotless blue, save for a few tiny, fleecy cloudlets that sailed across the expanse above the city "en fête," like miniature Viking ships, of which the folk-lore of the Nibelungs have sung. And the pure, bracing breath of the east wind came like a benison from the Creator to the countless multi tude that was greeting the centennial of their State.

Under the experienced direction of Major N. E. Baumgarden, chairman of the Committee on Parade, the big procession moved exactly on time, and with clock-work precision and regularity at the appointed hour up St. Charles street to Lee Circle, then out Howard Avenue to Camp to Canal, upper side of Canal street to Basin, lower side of Canal to Chartres, and down Chartres to the Cabildo. Canal street was crowded with people. It seemed as