The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-09-29
FOREIGN MFL UENcE IN LOUISIANA.

INFLUENCE IN LOUISIANA.
@ II.s -
Irs DANGEROUS TENDENcIEs-1Ts EFFECT ON
TAxATIpN-THE ANTI-AMERroASs ALARMED
AT IT. 81
The anti-American party pretend that we
are in no danger from foreign influence in Lou
isiana. Let us first examine the statistics. to
sec how far they are correct in this assertion.
We will leave the country out Of the question
entirely, and go to NewOrleans.
By the census Of 1850, the total population
Of NewOrlean stood as follows
Native population observation-disclosures 0,470
Foreign population 46,60l
Leaving q majority Of natives. 49,. 1869
The voting population was as follows:
Native vote ...........s...........7, 2lO
Foreign vote .......................6 ,943
Giving the native vote this maj.... 267
Since the census of 1850, Lafayette has been
added to NewOrleans, which will change the
figures without materially disturbing the pro
portions.
Thus it appears that out Of o voting popu-
lation Of 14l53, the majority Of native Ameri-
cans is only 267.
Were it not for the fact that many conserv-
alive foreigners unite with the conservative
party, Newt Orleans would be entirely in the
hands of naturalized citizens. 1t is easy to
perceive why, in former elections throughout
the State, that party succeeded, which could
control most forstgn votes. The country
parishes were about equally divided, and New
Orleans held the balance of power. The con-
sequence has been that Louisiana has been
governed by foreign infuence,-an influence
which has impoverished her treasury, and en-
tailed a burden Of taxation which the country
can i'll afford to carry.
So long as Louisiana is under foreign con-
troll, SO long will taxation and Encouragement
characterize her government. NewOrleans,
we have seen, holds the balance of power, and
Newt Orleans has heretofore been controlled by
the foreign vote. Deduct from that vote, a
small proportion of intelligent and patriotic
naturalized citizens, acting with the American
party, and the balance are an irresponsible and
wreckless mass, many Of whom are criminals
and paupers. As an evidence of this fact, we
have but to consult the records of the Parish
Prison, the City Work-H House and the Charity
Hospital. What do these people care about
taxation? They are not required to pay any
themselves. They>have nothing to tax and
the only interest they have in the country, is
to make their two dollaas a day. w speak,
be it well remembered, of the majority not in
tending our remarks to apply to that respect
able minority whom we have already excepted.
Louisiana is in danger, becauce NewOrleans
is in danger. The anti-Americans themselves
are aware of it. Mayor Lewis of NewOrleans
has thought that danger sufficiently imminent,
to issue his Proclamation, published in the
I" Louisiana Courier" the anti-American or
gan, notifying masters of vessels, that they
will be required to furnish bond with two good
%sureties, i'll a sum not exceeding three hundred
dollars for each immigrant, that he will not be-
come a "burden to the public authorities"
The conservative and intelligent portion of the
foreigners are aware of the danger, and are
cooperating with the American party, in or
der to avert it. Their votes added to those of
native Americans in November, will be more
than sufficient to rescue the State from foreign
rule.