The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-09-01
Meeting and Barbecue at Abbevinle.
Correspondence Of the Patriot.
D - Mr. IuupIA Au0usf "a 126i.

Correspondence Of the Patriot.
New 1BrRIA, August 70, 1855.
Messrs. Edi1ors-The inclemency Of the weather
led every one to expect that the meeting of tn
American party at Abbeville would be q failure
Such, however, was not the case.
At about 10 o'clock, Hon. Charles Derbigny wa!
on the ground, accompanied by Hon. Bernard Ma
rigny. We were glad to see present several Of thu
Antis-among them, Charles H. Mouton.
The meeting was first addressed by Hon. Charles
Derbigny. The rain, which was pouring Town il
torrents at the time he assembled the platform, die
not cool the ardor of the distinguished orator, wht
gave q short but concise and unanswerable discourse
He was followed by Hon. John Moore, Hon. Mr.. Ma
rigny, Mr.. Adolphus Olivier, and Mr.. Gates. wv
regret that we can not give the synopsis Of these
speeches furnished by our correspondent; his lettel
was received too late. Eds.] .,i r.
>Dr. Dnperier next appeared before the audience
He stated that it was his intention to address the
meeting on the occasion, but so much of their time
having already been consumed, he would r%elinquisf
the pleasure. There is, however, one important
matter which l wish to consider before this assembly
~disperses. As a member Of the State Executive
Committee, l consider it my duty to accept a chal
lenge which has been thrown out on this very spot
by our enemies. HE then proceeded to read from a
paper the following resolutions, adopted at n meeting
of the Anti-Americens held ut Abbevile on the 22d
of July last
"Resolved, That the book found in this Parish,
being the ritual of the first degree of Wigwam No
Is, organized in this Parish, and known under the
name Of Society of Know-Nothings, is, from the de.
alterations of the Grand Council, recently held in
NewOrleans, fully identified as such, and that, from
the contents of said book, we are perfectly satisfied
and convinced that the members of said society are
solemnly engaged to oppose the Catholic Religion,
and to prescribe members of said church who would
refuse to cooperate in their i~ntOlerant and anti-Re-
publican acts.
Resolved, That we challenge each and every mem
Der Of the Know-Nothing party of this State, or of
the United States, to deny positively that the reli-
gious prescription sanctioned in the eighth section of
the Philadelphia platform has not been sanctioned
by them in their respective wigwams."
al am now said DR.. Duperier, /" at Abbeville, on
the very spot where originated these resolutions-in
presence of the authors of the resolutions-in pres
ence Of the individual who found the ritual of Wig
wan No. 1s. l am happy to meet them on their
W ground. I accept their challenge, and accept
their own weapon. ] defy the gentleman in whose
possession is the ritual defy those who gave utter
ance to those calumnious resolutions, to come for,
ward and show to this assembly a single word which
has reference to the Catholic Religion. Irepeat the
challenge I defyt the gentleman in whose possession
is the ritual, to come forward and read it publicly.
He is present, and hears me-. / defy Mr.. Daniel o.
Brien, in whose possession is the ritual, to come for
ward and read it to this assembly,"
MIR. O'Brien made his appearance, holding in his
hand the ritual. He said, " take it for granted you
accept the Philadelphia platform. I did not intend
to say, and did not say, that the ritual in my posses
sion contained any thing in opposition to the Catho.
lie religion. The AbbeviIle resolutions do not ex-
press it. ask that the resolutions be read over.'
DIR. Duperier proceeded to read the resolutions in
French and English, to the confusion and shame of
Mr.. O'Brien. Cries of "Let us see his face!' "Let
him stand on the platform u were re-echoed all over
the assembly.
MIR. O'Brien then stated that he had not partici.
pated in these resolutions.
"You have" said DR.. Duperier; "you presided
over the meeting which adopted the resolutions; you
signed its proceedings without protesting against
any portion of them you are therefore bound in
solido with every man who participated in drawing
these resolutions, for setting forth resolutions which
contain nothing but calumnies. l now return you
the lost ritual. Keep it, and he careful to circulate
it every where.'
Mr.. O'Brien took the ritual. Deafening hurrahs
issued from every mouth, to the great modification
OF our enemies. The defeat was complete not a
single Anti was left to carry the news home.
VERlTAs.