The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-08-11
ADDRESS AND PLATFORM
OF THE t -.-
American Party Of Louisiana.
Address.

.4 sT -.a.t Address.
The American Party of Louisiana having compile
Ted It's organization, as is demonstrated by the assem-.
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 atilia-
ted with us % 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.
dves which have actuated its members, and by he.
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. sGF ~ ri
The American Party of Louisiana, in having GOV.
cred it's 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 iudg.
ment as 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
sources whence they derived their %counsels. The
country was already divided with two powerful polit.
tcal parties, whose leaders had been employed for
years In drilling the masses into the belief that its
prosperity depended upon the success of their several
measures, or rather Of placing them in 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
during the struggling moments Of parturition, or even
10 its early growth, Of on element so adverse to their
party existence, and SO certain to deprive them Of the
"sp0ils Of Office "? Who that understands the infu-
ence OF party In restraining the impetuous, urging for
ward the timid, and controlling the masses with the
old slogan cries Of Democracy and Whiggery, does
not see that It would not have required an infant
Hercules to have destroyed the American party, II it
had exposed its first efforts at union to the assault of
such a combination? Its formation and its existence
would .s;.I il have b, been an impo,ssibility, Desplyimpressed
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 mot dare oppose our principles and
and we knew also that we estranged from us many
who were friendly to our7pbject, but who were I'M
willing to promote it by secret organization. Con.
sctOus, however, of the Tectitude of our motives, and
our purpose being the welfare Of our country, we did
not hesitate to incur the censa,re and defamation of
our opponents, and the partial estrangement 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.
lngs. now publish these our principles, and by them
We are prepared to stand or fall.
Platfhru.
l. We advocate an amendment Of the Naturaliza-
non Law, 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.
=. we oppose any interference in the vested rights
Of all persons, whether they be Of native or foreign
birth.
4. We are In favor Of non.intervention with slavery
BY the Federal Government, except for the protection
Of our constitutional rights. -
Is. We advocate o high National Policy, such as
will afford stern and unwayering protection to the
American name abroad, and will follow and guard
the American citizen wherever he moves.
6. We believe that America should be governed by
Americans, etiecting the same through the ballot-box
alone, the only legitimate instrument of reform in
this country.
I. We believe that the Office should seek the man,
and not the man the office, and shall oppose the dis.
t%ributon of ONCE among Of6ceseekers, OF as a reward
for partisan services. I'M
9: We will maintain and defend the Constitution
o. the United States. the Union as II now exists, and
the rights Of the States without dimiAutiou, insisting
upon a faithful performance on the part Of the Gen.
sral Government Of all the duties enjoined upon it by
the Constitution.
8. While We approve Of the platform adopted by
The late National Council Of the American Party At
Philadelphia. We reject the application Of the princi-
1.-THE eighth article to American Catholics. as
unjust, un{ounded, and entirely unworthy Of our
We shall forever continue tu protest against 4
sbitdgement Of religious liberty, holding Il O. q
nArdinal marin that religious faith Is Q question be.
lvesn each individual and his God. We utterly con
any attempt to make religious belief a test for