NATCHEZ — Forty-five years have passed since Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have A Dream Speech.” On that very anniversary, the first black presidential candidate gave his nomination acceptance speech.

Former Natchez mayor Phillip West, an elector at the convention, said he clearly sees the significance.

“He’s the only person in my lifetime who I’ve heard speak that I put on the same level in terms of charismatic and intellectual and inspirational as Dr. King,” he said.

But it’s not just the one speech that one night, the entire Democratic National Convention has been an unforgettable experience for not just West but also City Attorney Everett Sanders, who is a superdelegate.

West said he’s so grateful to have had the experience of going.

“It’s a tremendous feeling. This is among the highlights of my life because a person where I have come from would never have anticipated, expected, dreamed that I would be living to see us reach such a moment,” he said.

Sanders also said he’s glad to have had the opportunity to witness history in the making.

“I think this is a significant moment in history and I’m very pleased to be a part of it and witness it,” he said.

Both men raved about the speeches that had been given over the course of the past few days.

“Sen. (Hillary) Clinton did a tremendous job (Tuesday) night and the night before Michelle Obama did a tremendous job,” West said.

Sanders said former president Bill Clinton’s speech was also very good, as was the speech from Barack Obama’s running mate Sen. Joe Biden.

“His speech was very good,” Sanders said of Biden. “I think he identified closely with the middle class and the working class persons in this country who have been hit the worst by the Bush economic policy.

“I think Sen. Biden and Sen. Obama will make an excellent team.”

Sanders and West also said the atmosphere of the convention was incredible.

“It was electrifying,” Sanders said of the night Obama was officially nominated. “The mood of the convention has been steadily building.”

West said the atmosphere was one of unity.

“People are really coming more and more together and more centered on the message and the policies and the things that need to happen to make (this) a better place,” he said.