The true Democrat., 1855-07-24
Letter from Albert Pike.

Letter from Albert Pike.
 Els. Pic.-What one says in public is so sell dom correctly reported, that 1 venture 10 ask you to allow me to say through your columns what l have to say Tn answer to an article in re. gard to myself, i'll the Delta of the 10th inst.
 To the refined wit and graceful personalities of the article l have not word to say. should be sorry to learn that they suit the taste of the people of New Orleans And if the matter were one of mere personal interest, should not obtrude myself upon the public at all.
 The editors of the Delta are well aware that it is very unjust to as Ssume that public speaker used the precise language contained in a brief sketch of his speech by reporter Indeed. the reporter quoted by them expressly stated, in Ms report, that he did not pretend to give my language at all.
 did not pledge myself :" not to rest day or niqbt' until the Catholic test was removed from the platform of the American Order; nor did say that the error had crept an, and there was no time to eradicate it.
 The first speech and indeed the only one of any length, which made in the National Coun- ell, was exclusively an appeal in favor of the immediate admission of tae regular delegates 1 from Louisiana to the floor Of the Council, and in 1t expressly declared that if, at last should have to choose between the Order at large and toe Order in Louisiana, I should adhere to the latter; and so shaX, if at the next annual ses sion, the substance of the Louisiana Ritual and Constitution is not adopted.
 The Committee on the Platform, of which was member, reported the 8th article without the words (With which it now commences, ) Resistance to the aggressive policy and cor rI,,,t f +ho ho1t Church in our country" As reported it con- menced thus: "The advancement to all politi- cal stations" etc. The former clause we added in the Council on motion of Mir. Rayner, of North Carolina 1 did not debate, or make formal opposition to the amendment, (which did not like,) for three reasons: First, every one was weary of debate; second, 1 saw that at that time, 1t would be of no use; and third, the committee on the Ritual and Constitution, 1 knea0, would report those instruments in form satisfactory to Louisiana; and 1 wished to reserve what little influence l had, to be used in urging the adoption of the Ritual and Con- stitu ion as they should be reported.
 They were not reported until, 1 believe, the last day of the session, when many members had gone home, and hardly quorum was pre- sent. When reported, they were substantially the Louisiana Ritual and Constitution, and would have been unobjectionable to Louisiana. Being reported in slips, in the shape of amend ments to the present Ritual and Constitution, they were referie to a committee of thrce to be put together and 1 moved an amendment, and had it referred to the same committee, still more explicitly adopting the views of Louisia- na
 The committee reported that at the late date of the session and when so few members were present. it was inexpedient to make any radl- cal change. It was obvious that 1t was too late to debate the question, and useless to insist up on oul point further at that session, and 1 and others reluctantly allowed the matter to lie over.
 did say in the National Council that had heard arguments and appeals there that seem- ed to me better fitted to be addressed to a con venticle of Scotch Presbyterians, looking upon the Pope as Antichrist, than to an assembly of American gentlemen met to discuss matters of political consideration only.
 The Delta asks if 1 did not speak in praise of the platform at the Park in New York. No. did not speak in the Park at all 1 have spo- ken three times: at Baltimore, at Washington, and at Mobile; and at each place have expres- sed the same views as to the eighth a.ticle of the platform.
 said at Moble and say now that I had foreseen that what was at first opposition to the assumed temporal power of the Church of Rome, would degenerate into hostility to the Catholic Church, as c church, and become religious quarrel; and that there was a mighty anti Cath ollie feeling in the country, which was great fact to be dealt with in some way or other; and that feeling would be prevented from doing great harm, only by the exertions and influence Of tha T ,1ar oft D.Ja 'tset, and intended, and I believed would be able, at no distant day, to modify and liberal ize the feature of the platform, to which l ob- jected
 l said that adhered to the Order, notwith- standing my objection to that single feature and TOT the purpose of aiding in changing 1t; and that felt certain it would be changed at the next annual session. I do feel certain of that. And cannot regret that, after the slavery oues- tion had so rent and divided us. we were not further torn to pieces by change in the ritual and constitution in another imnortant respect. The 9th article can do no great harm for A. year. will stand upon the platform as it is. trusting to time and the good sense of the Or. der to remove hereafter what consider an oh. | lection to It. It Is new to me that must ad :. here to the platform as it is, without saving how | desire to see it amended.
 may be mistaken as to the probability of a modification of the ritual, constitution and plat. form in this respect; but do not believe I am. The American party is new and young. It is not to be expected that every thing in its creed should at the beginning be just as it should be. It is the vice of all political platforms to be in- tolerant, and no party is exempt from error- But see no hope for the South or for the Un- ion in any other party, and agreeing to the plat. form on every point but one, and construine even that to avow hostility, not to the Catholic