The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1857-02-21
Il WoRD ABouT OURSELVES.

n WORD ABOUT OURSELVES.
The present Issue completes The second year
Of the opelousas Patriot. The publication
was commenced under many unfavorab,e aus,i-
ces, and with limited means of carrying 1t ON
successfully yet we think that We can point
with no small degree of satisfaction 10 our
course as journalists, which, though not with
out errors, has 50 far carried US t~riumphantly
through every difficulty, and succeeded in es-
establishing ourenterprise on a permanent basis.
Our thanks are as well due to a liberal public
for the generous patronage which has swelle'
our sails, and which we shall strive in Tic
future still better to merit.
II is true, the principles of our party have
not found the favor that we had fondly hoped
they would. The idea Of confiding the admin
~istration Of the Government, mall its ramifca-
tions, exclusively to the natives of the soil, is
the one upon which our party built its founda-
ton and upon this one idea, our enemies,
with c%onsunlnate skill, have sought 10 engraft
a number Of odious features, calculated to
prejudice as honorable and patriotic q cause
as ever was advocated by a free people. They
argue, besides, that we have no reason to fear
the foreign influence Of the feac natives of other
countries that have taken up their residence
among us and still, by a remarkable want Of
consistency, they have almost entirely ceased
the nomination Of foreigners to Office. This
being the only design Of the American organi-
zation, it seems to us perfectly plain that we
have effected a portion if not the whole of our
object; and that, although greatly outnum-
bcrcd at the polls, our influence has prevailed
at the caucus. With the disappearance of the
evil for which the remedy was sought, will dis
appear the remedy but not until The principle
that "Americans shall rule America +" is practi-
cally acknowledged throughout the length and
breadth of our land, will the American party
sdisband. Nine hundred thousand freelnen is
no faction, even in a great and growing country
like ours.
But enough Of that. We do not believe in
harping on q single string continually. We
intend hereafter to make the Patriot more ac-
ceplable as n family paper than it has hitherto
been--always reserving the privilege of speak
ing openly our sentiments upon all subjects.
politics as well as the ordinary events of the
day. We shall commend nothing that is un-
worthy, nor Intentionally overlook anything
that is meritorious. We can never become
the mouth.piece of any, CLIQUE, whether of
politicians or d any other class of persons
but shall act Independently and fearlessly,
offending none to whom the TRUTH is not OBJ
noxious. This is our aim, and we shall pur.
sue it with whatever ability we possess.
A word to our. patrons. We have upon our
list q large number Of subscribers who are in
arrears--some for two years. The individual
amounts are triaing, while the aggregate is
large. There is also a long string of small
accounts for job work and advertising. We
want money-not for its W sake, but to
supply our necessities. We are compelled to
pay cash for paper, ink, ETC., and, indeed, for
every comfort of life. Printers '-nio. nNe On
air, d,y more than other "a ana we indulge
the pleasing hor ,.,at those who are indebted
to us will e the force Of our reasoning, and
up promptly to the rescue. What is but
a triae to them is "the yerything itself" to us.