Southern shield., 1855-07-07
Capt. Pike at Baltimore.

DcaIlou neeIInS uelu III that clUy Ie1 gently at which many distinguished members of the party made speeches. The following account of the brilliant effort of Capt. ALBERT PIKE, on the occasion, we copy from the American:
 
 Hon. Albert Pike, of Arkansas, was here introduced and delivered a telling, popular speech that strongly excited the enthusiasm of his hearers. He ad- vocated the great duty of cultivating a hearty, national spirit. He believed, and so did the great body of the Amer ican people, that those born upon the soil were better republicans and better Quali6ed to administer the affairs of the government than those who had been born in other lands.
 This might be called prejudice, but if 1t was, it was one he hoped would never be destroyed, for it was the pal Iladium of our liberties, the vital essence of American sentiment, founded upon the memories of the revolution and nur- tured by the wise precepts and admo- nitions of the fathers of the country. It was one of those instincts of nation ality which God had implanted in the human heart, in the mysteries of which the masses need no instruction. States manship and talent were not necessary to create it-it was indigenous to the American heart, ready to manifest its
 overAowing abundance on the slightest apprehension of danger to the institu-
 tions of the country, which was the sub- Iject of its love.
 Mir. Pike then proceeded to speak of the rise of the American party. It was first heard of in Arkansas in November last, and now it controlled the Legis- lature, and in State of 40, 900 voters Ihad a majority of ten thousand. As 1t was in Arkansas so it was everywhere lin the West-her mountains, her val Ileys, and her prairies were echoing back the triumphant shouts of Americanism so it wasin the South, in the Middle States, in Pennsylvania, New York, and all the conservative States of the North. Loud cheers. They had everywhere with them the maqses-the common people of the counhy-who possessing the power of the country, l had determined to enrust it to those that would crush out the old effete and corrupt political organizations, and es- tablish upon their ruins g party pure in American sentiment and sound in re- publican simplicity. Applause. The speal,or- conti9reA, r,1ioz--;;Sing | the platform of principles established by the Philadelphia Convention. It was a platform upon which all sections of the country could meet, and abiding [ by its triumph at the next Presidential election, and at the next, and the next again, until it's principles are as firmly established as the policy of the country. ! Enthusiastic cheers. It declared that Inone but American born citizens should be elected to office, and that the man who in this country owed allegiance to foreign potentate was unworthy of public trust. It was necessary to draw the lines thus strictly because @ great tprinciple was to be established. but when it was once frmly recognized they could relax their strictness and grant to worthy foreigners, who should pos sess the necessary qualifications, the privilege of holding office.
 Mir. Pike dilated on these points at length and with much eloQuence, and made frequent attempts to conclude, but was melted to persevere by repeat ed cries to go on. He finally conc,u- ded by proposing three cheers for the Platform, which were heartily given, and withdrew with the remark that on the 22d February next, the birth day of George Washington and the ami versary of 8 great American victory in Mexico, the States would send their delegates to Philadelphia to nominate the candidate of the American party for the Presidency. He believed they would select good and proper man, in whom they all would repose confidence, and that under his lead they would march to an assured triumph.