The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-08-04
AND PLATFORM
OF THE
American Party Of Louisiana.
Address.

~ SlfgsEf rE4 Address, 5.
The American Party Of Louisiana having compile
bling in the city of NewOrleans of delegates from the
various local councils organized throughout the State,
and believing that the principles which bind its mem
bers together are in unison with the sentiment of a
large class of our fellow-citizens who are not affla-
ted with US as members, deems it proper at this Pc
Rod to make such an authentic declaration of princi-
pies as will do justice to the pure and patriotic mo-
tives which have actuated its members, and by Sc
curing the public appreciation, will enable it to direct
the administration Of the State Government into a
course more consonant with the Native sentiment of
the country.
The American Party Of Louisiana, in having GOV.
cred its proceedings up to this time with the veil of
secrecy, has been influenced by considerations of the
greatest importance, to secure the successful attain
ment Of its object. This secrecy in its elementary
organization Is now approved by it's deliberate judg-
ment u having been perfectly proper and just, and
the success Of the rapid organization of the party is
best proof Of its policy. In all governments and at
all times, all party organizations have been more or
less secret in their action, aud particularly SO in the
sources whence they derived their counsels. The
country was already divided with two powerful polit-
ical parties. whose leaders had been employed for
years in drilling the masses into the belief that its
measures, o r'rathero Of placing themin power to carry
these measures into effect. Who does not see how
eagerly the leaders, both great and small, of the old
parties, would have combined to crush out the life
VA AA6 tAO sAuSSAtA& OulCH vi pulbuIlblONS VI even
in'its early growth, of an element so adverse to their
party existence, and so certain to deprive them of the
"sp0ils of Office !" Who that understands the influ-
ence Of party In restraining the impetuous, urging for.
ward the timid, aud controlling the masses with the
old slogan cries of Democracy and Whiggcry, does
not see 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 q combination? Its formation and its existence
wonld have been an impossibility. Deeplyimpressed
with this belief, we met in secret for the purpose of
organizing. In doing so, We knew that we exposed
ourselves to the censnre of our opponents, to whom
this secrecy afforded an argument Of defamation,
when they did not dare oppose our principles and
and we knew also that we estranged from us many
who were friendly to our object, but who were I'M
willing to promote it by secret organization. Con-
scious, however, of the rectitude of our motives, and
our purpose being the welfare OF our country, we did
not hesitate to incur the censure and defamation of
our opponents, and the partial enlargement of our
too timid friends. But our party having now attained
the vigor of manhood, and being prepared to do bat.
tie for our cause, through the press and on the hust.
ings, now publish these our principles, and by them
we are prepared to stand or fall.
! Platform.
!. We advocate an amendment of the Naturaliza.
ton Laws. with proper safeguards to preserve 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.
8. We oppose any interference in the vested rights
Of all persons, whether they be of native or foreign
birth. - RI.
1. We are in favor of non.intervention with slavery
by the Federal Government, except for the protection
of our constitutional rights.
5, We advocate a high National Policy, such as