The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1855-08-11
Hon. !. P. benjamin.

e.
stitucnts, who thought proper to ask him for
his views, inrelation4 to the " AmStican party,
scAoss published ndtiosal proceedings and acts,
DECLARE Objects ara purposes, which they deem de-
struetipc 70 Ms mott sasrsd principles Of tie con-
stitntio,, and IN siOlationof The political and re.
hgions rights secNrsd BY fiat sacred Instrument
The great md eminent danger to which the
Union il exposed has been drawn 50 clearly
and forciblysb ~ Mr. Benjamin that none can
fail to Zee Il, but those who are "judicially
blind" After depicting in gloomy colors, the
schemes Of the abolitionists and their almost
certain success in the next congress, -bywith-
holding supplies for the ordinary expenses, Of
g1S kihcnt, and with this gloomy aspect Of
public affairs before their eyes, he asks, "what
are the people Of Louisiana doing I? Are they
uniting in on, great southern party upon some
platform similar to Georgia on whichwc can
oil stand together, and meet with frfhncss the
coming shock" Are they like watchmcn on
the tower, straining their anxious gaze towards
the quarter whence danger impcnds? Not at
ALL" Nv
He answers these queries by saying, :" four
fifths Of the wings Of Louisianashavc been Sc
duced into joining an organization which, al
though calling itself the American party, has
no claim to the name Of party at ALL It. a
mere association for the purpose ofinRucncing,
not the measures by which the public good is
to be obtained, but the men by whomsthc off,
ces are to be filed. He exclaims, !" Oh
what wretched fall from the proud tradi
tons Of the gallant wings Of the olden time ~
Mr.. Benjamin opposes the know nothing, or
American party, on the grounds, that their
principles are anti-Republican in refusing equal
political rights to all Americon citizens. he
cause they violate the spirit, if not the very
letter Of the constitution by the prescription
Of citizens on the ground Of their religious be-
lief; because they arc retrogression towards
union.of church and state, union equally
dangerous to civil and religious liberty; be-
,ause they present issues addressed to the pas
ions and prejudces of the people, and thus
end to divert their attention from those high
II subjects over which it is their duty to keep
,easelcss watch, because, above all, they in
ringe that priceless privilege of freeman,
The right Of Independent personal action, gui-
led by independent personal Judgment"
JJo an VIC "a offar bo ;<.noo,;r;o..
he national convention lately held in Philadel-
,hia it is impossible our fellow citizens can
ong remain deceived. The light,of reason is
'lready breaking in upon them. Every day
dds to the proof that 50 far as the north is
the whole strength Of the K. N.
'arty rests on two bases; ono Of violent hos
ility to the south, the other Of bigoted intol-
rance to catholics" 40 speak of party
S national party, the platforms Of which are
ectional, is to do violence to the received
meaning Of language, and none can long re-
main deceived, except those who are willing
upcs."
Mr.. Benjamin has spoken out as becomes an
american citizen, and as was due, from
he high position he occupies in the councils of
the nation, as one of the representatives of
ovreignty Of Louisiana therein. Party spir-
must be very blind indeed, that can look at
he picture SO faithfully drawn by Mr.. Benja-
lin with regard to the combined efforts oil
Americanisn, or know nothngism, abolition
i'm and freesoism ut the north, and feel no
larm for the safety Of the union. That we
re on the very verge Of dissolution of the
Mon events most clearly prove. Not year
ill roll round before We shall realize this
nth. Before the adjournment of the next
congress, We shall witness an excitement such
robaby as we have never seen before.
Yet ail this impending over the pros
Gritty and very existence Of the union, our
now nothing friends in the SOUTH are vanly
irving to cling to on association and make
national, which as shcwn by Mr.. Benjamin
based at the north, upon violent hostility
} the south, and bigoted intolerance towards
atholics," How many distinguished south
N statesmen have taken the same view, and
armed the country Of Of the approaching dan