Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1855-06-23
Conclusion of the Philadelphia Convention.

The Picayune furnishes the public with q
telegraphic despatch, giving q synopsis Of the
final resolutions of this body, and which, if
true, must be taken as the platform of the
American Party as it now exists. One Of the
first Of these resolutions says that " the ritual
of the party has been somewhat modified, and
the Catholic test re-adf,med. We do not fully
understand this-but presume it alludes to the
exclusion of Catholics from holding office. This
is religious prescription in its fullest sense,
WHICH the American Party Of this State cannot
sanction; and as it in direct opposition to that
clause in the Constitution which invites all
good men to participate in the management OF
Government irrespective of their religious ten.
denotes, we do not see how any patriotic and
enlightened man Of the party, in any portion
of the country, can sustain such a resolution
as the one alluded to.
But we are in hopes that there is some mis-
take on our part, and on the part Of the friends
and enemies of the American party in this place
with reference to the resolution alluded to.
The eighth section in substance (and it is
rather too clogged to be clear :" resolves on
resistance to the aggressive policy and corrupt
tendencies Of the Roman Catholic Church, by
the advancement to all political stations none
but American born citizens, as it asserts that
all others owe civil allegiance directly or indi.
rcctly, to some foreign power or other, and BY
birth, education and training. are not fitted to
be elevated to political power. Thus, it seems,
that the above quotation refers only to foreign
ers, and has no reference to American Catholics.
That is the way we understand this resolution.
The ninth section is eminently patriotic. We
give it in full:
The ninth section declares it the right Of
every man to have the full, unrestricted and
peaceful enjoyment of his own religious opin-
ions and worship, and that a jealous resistance
will be given TO all attempts by any sect, de.
nomination or church to obtain any ascendency
over any other in any State, by means of any
special privilege or exemption, by any political
combination of members, or by any divisions
of their civil allegiance to any foreign power,
potentate or ecclesiastic, or by any action of
the National Legislature.
All the other resolutions are unexception-
able-they are eminentIy national and pa
triotic. We will publish these resolutions
in full when we get an authenticated copy.
Until then, we trust that the friends hith-
erto Of the American Party in this State,
will reserve their opinion. 1t may be that
Louisiana will have to $50 Il alone" If 50.
10 ready for the contest. We have said
repeatedly, (and we know it is the sentiment
If our political frieDdso that we cannot afiii-
ate with any political party which goes out
If its way to prescribe from public station
portion Of the American people, on account
the kind Of religion they profess It is ut
,erly At variance with the letter ~ with the
'pirit Of the Constitption-and should be re-.
by every friend and well-wisher of his
and its institutions, whether upon the
loil Of Massachusetts or Louisiana.