The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-11-03
THE PATRIOT.
,,rlrlll JOURNAL OF THE PARISH Of SAINT LANDRY.
OPELOUSAS:
..rnnsnAY MORNING, NOVEMBER L
1MgRlcANs, TO YOUR ARMS,

In days past this summons alone would call
a. tbe battlefield true Americans, with brave
hoorts and strong arms, ready to do valiant ser
vim for the honor and welfare Of their country,
battling against d foreign foe; and now the ap-
MN, il heard again" Americans, to your
aarmsln-uot literally with guns, pistols and
bovie,kniyes, as our opponents, in spirit Of
,,ttloness and meanness, have intimated, but
with stout hearts, strong arms, clear heads, and
. determination to excise your own opinions
and incIinations, as well as to demand and &C
cord Justice. Your country's interest is again
in danger: on enemy, more formidable than
pockenhams forces, is now menacing you
secret foe is again in our midst, and political
deathawaits you unless you promptly and fear
]essly do your duty at the ballotbox.
Before the, next issue of this paper shall have
reached many Of our readers, the people of
Louisiana will have determined whether they
preter retrenchment and reform in our State
policy to wasteful expenditure of tile peoples
money whether they prefer Charles Derbigny,
an enlightened, experienced native Louisianan,
for Governor, or Robert G. Wicklife, man
Of but ordinary talents, young, and a native Of
Kentucky; the people of this Congressional
District will have determined whether they pre-
fer that William B. Lewis, native of Louis
lana, man Of ability, and one who will do us
credit in the Halls of Congress, shall represent
us, or John NJ. Sandidge, o native Of Georgia,
and o man without talent and the voters of
St. Landry, whether they prefer that Cyprien
Duprs, Solomon B. Harman and Louis Ker-
legand, natives of the Parish, men Of inteli-
gence and integrity, and true to the interest Of
their country, shall represent them in the next
Legislature, or that Benjamin R. Can't, An
drew J. Thompson and Placide Guilbeau, men
put forward by the Opelousas clique, shall re-
present them; whether Elbert CAN'T, q man Of
property, Of industry Of experience and Of
business habits, shall be their next Sheriff, or
whether it shall be Louis V. Chachcre young
man without ability Or experience; whether
John B. a. Fontenot young man Of sound
sense, of cultivated mind, Of energy and good
morals, shall be your next Clerk, or whether
it shall be Louis Lastrapcs-ina word, whether
you will support the nominees of the American
party, all Of whom are tried and good men,
qualified for the positions for which they arc
put forward or whether you will support their
opponents many Of whom are without quail
fcations or experience.
Reflect, then, fellow citizens, well, before you
cast your votes and when you deposit them in
the ballot-box, know that you have such names
upon them as will bring no reproach upon you
or your country, should they be called upon to
preside over the destines of your noble State
Let no petty prejudices, personal dislilses Or
delnagogical tricks influence you to cast vote
which you will ever afterwards regret; but
come like Americans to the polls, and vote like
froemen.