The American patriot., 1855-07-14


music of his harp grew fainter, yet more ox-
quisitely sweet. A light as from Heaven
seemed shedding its radiance upon his face.
The strain ceased, its echo died away--the
smile still rested upon his lips, but his arm had
dropped powerless by his side. The minstrel
was dead P*
ADAMS Co., Miss, July |, 1856. '..a
---N.~sN -
Platform Of the American Party Of La.
!. We advocate an amendment of the Natu-
raizaton Laws, with proper safeguards to pre-
serve the purity of the elective franchise.
2. We advocate the passage of such laws as
will prevent the immigration of paupers and
criminals to this country.
3. We oppose any Interference in the vested
rights of all persons, whether they be Of native
or foreign birth.
4. We are in favor of non-intervcntion with
slavery by the Federal Government, except for
the protection of our constitutional rights. t
5. We advocate a high National Policy, such
as will afford stern and unwavcring protection
to the American name abroad, and will follow
and guard the American citizen wherever he
moves
6. We believe that America should be gov
erned by Americans, eilectng the same
through the ballotbox alone, the only egiti-
mate instrument of reform in this country.
z. We believe that the office should seek
the man, and not the man the Office, and shall
oppose the distribution of office among office
seekers, or as a reward for partisan services.
| 8. We will maintain and defend the Cousti-
| tuition of the United States, the Union as it
now exists, and the rights of the State without
diminution, insisting upon Il faithful perfor-
nance on the part of the General Government
of all the duties enjoyed upon it by the Consti.
tuition.
8. While we approve of tho platform adopt
ed by the late National Council of the Ameri-
can Party at Philadelphia, we reject the appli-
cation of the principles OF the eighth article
to American Catholics, as unjust unfounded,
and entirely unworthy Of our country. We
shall forever continue TO protest against any
abridgement of religious liberty, holding it as
cardinal maxim that religious faith is a ques-
ton between each individual and his God. We
utterly condemn any attempt to make religious
affiliate with any party which holds sentiments
not in accordance with these .....
10. We war with no party as such, but shall
oppose all who oppose us in the advocacy Of
these great American principles.
..-. Address.
The American Party of Louisiana having
completed its organization, as is demonstrated
by the assembling in the city of New Orleans
of delegates from the various local councils Or
ganized throughout the State, and believing
that the principles which bind its members to-
gether are in unison with the sentiment of a
large class Of our fellow-citizens who are not
affiliated with us as members, deems it proper
at this period to make such an authentic decla-
ration of principles as will do justice TO the
pure and patriotic motives which have actuated
its members, andby securing tlepubc appro-
baton, will enable it to direct the adrninstra-
ton Of the State Government into n course
more consonant with the Native sentiment Of
the county
The American party of Louisiana, in having
covered it's proceedings up to this time with
the veil of secrecy, has been influenced by con-
siderations of the greatest importance, to Sc
cure the successful attainment Of its object.
This secrecy in its elementary organization is
: now approved by its deliberate Judgment as
having been perfectly proper and just, and the
success of the rapid organization of the party
is the best proof Of its policy. In all govern
ments and at all times all party organizations
have been more or less secret in their action,
and particularly so in the sources whence
they derived their counses. The country was
already divided with two powerful political
parties, whose leaders had been employed for
years in drilling the masses into the belief that
, its prosperity depended upon the snccess of
their several measures, or rather of placing
them in power to carry these measures into effect.
Who does not see how eagerly the leaders,
both great and small, of the old parties, would
5 have combined to crush out the life during the
struggling moments of parturition, or even in
its early growth, Of an element so adverse to
to their party existence, and so certain to de
plivc them Of the 'spoils of oltice?" Who that
understands the influence of party in restrain
, ing the impetuous, urging forward the timid,
and controlling the masses the Old slogan cries
Of Democracy and Whiggcry, docs not sec that
It would not have required an infant Hercules
to have destroyed the American party, if it had
exposed its first efforts at union to the assault
, of such a combination. Its formation and its
q existence would have been an impossibility
= = Deeply impressed with the belief, we met in
i secret for the purpose of organizing. In doing
c 50, we knew that we exposed ourselves to thu
o censure OF our opponents, to whom this secre-
cy afforded an argument of defamation, when
. they did not dare oppose our principles and
- we knew also that we estranged from us many
who were friendly to our object, but who were
# unwil ing to promote it by secret organization
J. Conscious, however, of the rcctitude Of our
motives, and our purpose being the welfare OF
, our country, we did not hesitate to incur tbs
J. censurc and defamation of our opponents, and
1t the partial estrangement flour too timid friends
is But our party having now attained the vgol
i OF manhood, and being prepared to do battle
~ for our cause, through the press and on the
e hustiHgs, now publish these our principles, ant
ID hy them we are prepared to atand or fall.