Daily American organ., 1856-02-21


we must admit them 10 seats.
Delegate. Is there State Council in Louisi-
anag
The Secretary explained that there was no State
Council holding direct communication with the
National Council, coFrohorating substantially the
remarks Of Col. Pike.
Mr. J. w. Barker, Of New York, ADVOCATED the
admission Of the Louisiana delegates. There were
delegates here from the North, South- East and
West whc had withdrawn from the National Coun.
ell bat whowere still true to the principles OF the
party. When they came up we did not stop to
question them In relation to their course, and 1t
would be an act Of injustice to apply such test to
the claimants m this case. There we're councils
which had abolished secrecy altogether. We can
not reject them according to the principles settled
upon here, They are entitled 70 seats, and he
would freely vote for their admission. Applause.
The discussion was continued at great length.
At times, the excitement through the body wasof
the most intense character, and on several oeca-
sions despite the raps Of the gayel, the President
found great difficulty in maintaining order.
At the height OF the excitement Mr. Eustis, Of
Louisiana, came forward and desired to say a word
or so to the council touching the matter before it,
Cries of hear, hear, no, no, &c, &c.l
The Chair. AS the gentleman is not member
Of the council, he would decide that his remarks
would not be in order.
a i
Louisiana have leave to speak
After considerable difficulty, and amid much
turbulence, the motion was put and carried by
large vote.
Mr.. Eustis then stepped IN front of the Presi-
dents desk aud said that he would claim the atten-
ton Of the Council but few minutes only. In
the State of Louisiana the people have organized
Native American Society, and the only principle
upon which we stand, or admit to be discussed, Is
the great principle of Native Americanism. APP
pause After the adoption of the National Platform
last June, the following action was taken by the
American party of Louisiana, and will explain the
whole of this question. While we approve of the
platform adopted by the late National Council we
reserve to ourselves the right to reject the Sth
section unjustto the great body Of the Order in
Louisiana.
The honorable gentleman said that he must
frankly tell the Council that in the interior of the
State of Louisiana all alusion to religious sects of
any kind has been stricken out, as well as the
oath. And in regard to the latter, 80 help me
God said the speaker, win never take an oath
not to vote for Catholic born on this SOIL Two
thirds of the Order in Louisiana adhered to the
Church OF Rome as their spiritual Judge But
they were native Americans, and they would be
true to the American principle to the last. Loui-
siana desires to act with the National Council But
if you persist In adhering to the eighth article,
and abide by the ritual as laid down, we must de-
cline. If you follow in the course recommended
by Virginia, California, New York, and other
States, and break down and destroy the barrier
which prevents so many good and true men from
acting with the American party, we shall stand by
your side to the end in establishing the great
doctrine of religious liberty, by striking out re-
gious test and re affirming the principles of gem
uine freedom as handed down to US by fat ere.
Mr.. Eustis retired amid general applause.
Mr.. @. O. Lathrop, Of Louisiana, followed in an
eloquent and Impressive address, in which he advo-
Gated the right of himself and colleagues to partici-
pate in the proceedings, with great force He
wanted to read the ritual of the order in his State
We approve the platform adopted in Philadelphia,
but we do not use or recognise the words Roman
Catholics, in our meetings or sessions. tie ven
tured to say that not single Catholic in Louisiana
the Pope of Rome political power
He then read from the ritual question. Would
you consider yourself by your religion or under any
circumstance, bound to reveal the secrets OF this
Association
This, be it remembered applies to the death
bed, the confessional, or ''any circumstances" If
this is answered no--the candidate is advanced.
Here is another question: Gt
Are you willing, at the proper time, to vote
and use your influence for native-born American
citizens only for offices of honor or profit in this
countryp
Mr.. Latbrop. We have been misrepresented.
We came here as Native Americans who refuse to
any power outside of the constitution
and laws Of our native land. Immense applause.
If we find in your action anything we cannot CO.
operate with you in enforcing, we win not disturb
your council with our presence.
Mr.. Lathrop proceeded to read the pledge given
by every member of the order in Louisiana, in sub
stance as follows will never betray the secrets
of this society to any enc but member OF the
American order, and win vote for none but ma
tve-born Americans for office. Ignoring all titles
of Wing, Democrat Tory, and Federalist we viii
the right of Americans to rule America.
will not favor any religious distinction; but will
oppose the interference of the priest of any reli-
gious denomination with the political affairs of the
This is the pledge that we have all given, and I
tell the Council here without fear of contradictory
that the American Catholics of Louisiana do not
the Pope in any other light than as
spiritual guide.
Mr.. Lathrop cited several Instances in which the
Courts of Louisiana, the Judges being Catholics,
had decided adversely TO the claims of the Church,
and contended that truer men or better Americans
did not exist than the citizens of his State. They
act under the constitution and the laws of the land
and they know and pay respect to no power out
side of them.
AT the conclusion Of his remarks the previous
question was called and put.
The Chair announced tho motion to admit the
delegates from Louisiana, and to be carried by a
vote of 66 ayes to So nays.
The result was received with applause, and after
variety Of motions, the Convention adjourned
over until 8 o'clock, P. M.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The contested seats Of the Pennsylvania dele
gates came up upon the reassembling Of the Coun-
Gil at o'clock, p. M.
There were three propositions before the Coun-
Gil to dispose Of the subject; to refer to commit,
toe Of one from each State to refer TO committee
Of FIVE members and to hear two the claimants
on each side and then to vote directly on the ques
ton to admit The latter, after long and some
what violent discussion, prevailed. $50