Sixth National Convention of the Acadians at Saint-Basile (ph_3614)

The sixth Convention took place on August 19 and 20, 1908. Acadians from the Maritime Provinces, Îles de la Madeleine, Labrador, New England, Louisiana, and other places were present at Saint-Basile of Madawaska. Cyprien Martin was president, the Senator Pascal Poirier was secretary and Prudent Mercure, assistant secretary. Each parish was allowed three or four delegates. A special train from Moncton bringing 300 delegates came in late, but nevertheless the convention was a success. About 5000 people gathered and strolled around the grounds between the church and the Hôtel-Dieu. The reporter from Le Moniteur Acadien wrote that the Acadian flag was flying and towered above everthing. (August 27, 1908). They even had fireworks the first evening, with patriotic speeches in between. On the second day, a Requiem mass was celebrated in memory of the ancestors.