The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-09-15
The Past. Present. and Future.

Institutions. 10 nave lalT, Tree, ulu HUI
pendent political opinion upon oil questions OF
q public character, and to have that opinion
expressed ut the ballot box in accordance with
the constitution and laws regulating the cleo
tive franchise Is what was intended by our
forefathers, when they instituted our present
admirable system of government. This all
must admit and which none should desire to
change, alter or abolish. In monarchics, the
few control the many; but we have reversed
the rule, and have established that the many
shall govern the few. This principle, justice
demands, reason justi6es, common sense die
tates, and seventy years experience proves to
be right.
To obtain the fair expression of public opn-
ion our forefathers appealed to the good sense,
the reason, and the judgment of the people, by
free, open, and independent discussion, both
publicly and privately. and through the public
press. There were no associations, bound to-
gether by secret oaths and secret Political
machinery, to band together, whomsoever
should join them. for the purpose of having
them vote in particular way There were
no obligations binding any portion of our fel-
low citizens from voting for whomsoever they
pleased All was open and fair Freedom of
speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of
action, were our pride and boast. No one
sought to dictate to another, further than he
could do so, by the power of truth, and the
force of argument, based upon facts, and rea-
son, addressed to his understanding and his pa
triotism. No one sought to bind another, fur
Their than his own unbiased judgment, Lis
sense Of right and his enlightened self interest
|, sanctioned To have required any other obi.
: cation than these imposed, would have been
. fatal to the party, or person, that exacted it
1t would have been looked upon as an impeach
ment of the honor and honest intentions of the
person sought to be bound. 1t would have
manifested distrust Of the frmness and fidel
5 ity of an Independent citizen, that would have
been resented as an insult, and would have en-
) dangcred the head of the individual who should
have dared to make the proposition.
There were times when the true spirit ant
S meaning Of our constitution, was felt and I'm
$ dcrstood When the political equality, AM
rights of all our citizens, whether native, o
. naturalized were acknowledged and maintain
<, ed as the blood-bought heritage of the heroe
!. and sages of the revolution No one wa
/ sought to be prescribed on account of his plac
q of birth, or for his religious faith. Person
from all nations, and professors OF all religions
met, and mingled, and worked together, fo
E the common good. But these times have pa!
e scd away. A new party has sprung up, wit
new ideas, and new modes of action. On
>, class ofSour fellow citizens are declared to b
more trustworthy than another. A portion
now considered unworthy to hold or exerc!f
Office, (although the constitution makes no sue
distinction because they are of foreign brit
At Another portion is not to be trusted, bccau.
% they worship God according to the forms Of ii
- Roman Catholic Church, although the Co
" stitution says:
ed No religious test whatever, shall be rcqr
o. red Of any one holding an Office of public trn
in under the government"
n Men are not now to be trusted to vote
g' their judgment and sense of propricty dictate
~ but must be bound by an oath to vote in
he particular way or not to vote at all. Snrcl
at We are living in strange times, and str.nl
ty counscls prevail. How long will the pcol
wv be deludcd in support of such erroneous dc
-, trncs
=. The future will unmask the selfish motiy
IL which actuate the leaders of this self styl
he American party, and consign them to dep
'th which years Of repentance and well doing C
c'f alone make atonement. Thousands are lea
~ 49,
are ing the order, from one end of the union to t
rty other. They all speak the same language,
it They were deceived, and went into it, bel
ne ing it to be great reform party. They lea
Nv it, because they believe the doctrines and ri
to of the order, subyersivc of the freedom of
rty citizen, and the pauest teachings of the c.
sly stituton of the United States. The great a
good, of both the old wing and domocra