Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-04-26
A I'D LETTER.

The following letter from Col. Preston
son Parish, in response to an invitation to ad-
dress them at the American Ratification Meet
ing 10 be held in Richmond on the 21st inst.
breathes such an excellent spirit that we trans
fer it TO our columns with much pleasure:
CLINTON, La, March 90, 1856.
Dear Sirs: Your kind favor of the 9Th nit.
has just came to hand, and | hasten to reply
The cause in which we are mutually embarked
is one of the most noble and glorious which
can engage the energies of the American mind,
or arouse the emotions of the patriot heart; and
it would be a source of The purest pleasure if
] could feel myself entitled to the very high
and distinguished compliment which you have
so kindly conveyed 10 me in your letter. Ifa
deep and earnest devotion to the principles of
the American party-if a sincere and strenuous
effort to vindicate their trust and TO render
them the triumphant and ascendant principles
of the American Government entitle an individ-
ual to the esteem and confidence of his fellow
citizens, cannot permit the gallant Americans
of Madison TO confer upon me an honor, the
distinction of which has been so nobly won by
themselves.
am aware that our defeat in the late contest
was chiefly owing to foreigners and to foreign
influence, and that, as a consequence, ] was
prevented from occupying the position 10 which
you allude. by defeat was a matter Of minor
importance to the great and irreparable wrong
inflicted upon the great (and God grant it may
be triamphant) geuius of American character
and American nationality. In such issues men
are nothing; principles are everything; and if
the political sacrifice of ten thousand humble.
individuals, like myself, could insure to the
native a home, a character and a native land,
which he and his children could call their own,
the cost would dwindle into nothingness, when
contrasted with the benefcence and splendor
of the result. Believe me, that | have no re-
grets for myself. | fell upon the field in the
faithful performance of a duty which was as
signed to me, and am ever ready to do battle
or make any sacrifice of personal aspiration, to
redeem my native land from that infusion of
foreign power and influence which must prove
fatal TO OnF national existence, unless speedily
and efectually checked. | am glad 10 see that
Madison is putting on her amor for the com,
ing contest, and am assured that she will do her
duty well and faithfully.
IL is source of regret to me that cannot pos
lively accept your invitation to De present at
your ratification meeting on the 1lst OF April
Our court meets on the first Monday Of next
month, and will be in session on that day
There are several important eases confided 10
nv care which will be tried at this term, and it
Is ont of my power to ~foresee, at this time,
whether my professional duties viii or will not
give me leisure to attend your meeting. can
only say, if il should happentha my profession
al engagements do not prevent, I will be with
Won On The QIst In not howaver maka ann
certain reliance upon it, for it is barely possi>
BILE that Ibis pleasure viii be permitted to me.
OF Osa thing, however, you nay Be care, tbat