Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1859-03-26
ADDER
To the People Of Louisiana.

10 the feOple OF LOUISIANA
Fellow C%1T1sENs: Existing circumstances
in our political affairs, render it necessary, in
the opinion of the undersigned members of
the General Assembly, to address you on the
subject-giving you frankly our sentiments
in the matter, and inviting a free expression
of your opinion.
We lay this down as a fundamental propo-
sition that, amongst a free people. different
parties, in a political sense, must exist, or else
general stagnation: fatal to our interests, would
ensue; or, worse still. a discreditable squab-
Bile for the spol|s Of office, and hence a lower
standard Of public virtue. Assuming this TO
be true, we ask under what form and banner
shall we enlist for the future? This was the
subject of free consultation among us, and the
prevailing opinion was. that we would re-
vive and assume the honored name of the
Vine PARTY.
If We look at the condition of the national
Democratic Party, (f indeed, such an organi-
cation can be said to exist) what do we see ?
Is there any NIFTY of sentiment amongst
them, on the leading questions of the day T.
What are the sentiments of a great ma iority
of north ern Democrats on the subject OF s]av-
cry ?-adverse to the institution and exposed
to its extension There is no unity of senti-
ment among them Oh any leading question Of
the tim e: on the tariff question: on that of
nteJnalimprovement-ont the acquisition of
Cuba-on the Pacific Railroad-on States
RiShts-and, lastly, on the African Slave
trade, in one form or other, every shade of
opinion has it's exponents in the bosom of the
Democratic party.
| The proof OF the disbanded state of its for
ces, is found in the recent abortive session of
Congress, where with a majority in both
branches of that body, it was found impcssi-
bic to harmonize it's discordant elements, OBJ
stiucting thereby the most necessary legis-
]atlon, and rendering an extra session highly
probable, if not certain.
What is the state of the case*in respect to
this party i'll our own State?s We see around
us the discovered fragments of a once harmo-
NOUS party; dissension has invaded its ranks,
and the trldens of power may soon.be snatch
ed from its grasp. We profess to know moth
ing OF the merits of this schism, moi whether
it arose from a contest about men, or princi-
ples-.nor who is in the right, or who is IN
the wrong-or whether it is likely to endure.
or to be healed but we were eve and ear
witnesses to the authoritative enumeration,
that the schism existed in a dignJfed debate
in the Senate OF the State. 1t ~suffices to saw
that we cannot act with either wing of the
Democratic party ofthe State, neither reflect
ing our views or principles. and therefore
consider the time propitious to re-organize
the glorious old WING PARTY, and cali upon
all true conservative men amongst us,
to rally to our standard, and let US embody
the conservative opinions of our people,
in one loud; clear, emphatic utterance of
the sentiment. "Liberty and Union now
and forever, one and inseperable."
Action, action must be our watch word ::
and We exhort you to send delegates. good
men and true, to meet in convention in New
OrIeanson the second Wednesday of June, next,
70 assist@in organizing the movement, and.
Fexpect to prove to our political adversaries
that the neutrality-suspicious. torssome
years, is not extinct. ~
The WHlG PARTY has slumbered-itz has
not died the wisdom of its policy, the con-
servAtism of its principles, the unrivalied en-
dowments Of its gallant leader-CLAy-who
for so long and eventtuI a period bore it's hon
ored banner in the thickext of the SIGHT. all
betokened its indestructibility; and the effort
we now make to unfurl its flag, once more. to
the battle and the breeze, farther evidences
its vitality, and gives token of our devotion
to the organization of our choice, gemmed as
is its escutcheon with the most brilliant por-
tons of our political history. Lives there a
Wing with emotions so torpid. as not to feel
his bosom h!eave with patriotic pride. as ne
reviews the past of our history, studded as
every page Of that history is, in characters of
electric briI|iancy, with the proud names of
CLAY and WEBSTER. Their genius impress
sed itself with iEettaceble durability, on the
policy CT the country, whilst their profound
craftsmanship comprehendmg diversified in
terests of this great nation, subordinated them
all to the solution OF the highest problem OF
Political E%conomy'in a republican govern
ment, the greatest good Of the greatest number;
and the wisdom Of their policy has proved
itself by this, that it has inextricabIy inter-
woven itself with the succeeding affairs OF
our Federal Government, and like a golden
thread, rearpsars in the current history of our
national affairs, alone redeeming them from
the just reprobatlon of a disappointed and
suffering people. All honor to the old WIG
PARTY, for the past of its history is at least
secure.
In conclusion, we exhort you in the burn
ing eloquence of the gallant Harry of the
West. "Arise, shake Of the dew-drops that
glitter on your garments, and once more
march to battle aud to yictory.".
P. Chew, L. A. Tregre,
Fergus Gardere, B. L. Hodge,;
E. Locoul, c. T. Bemiss,
F. A. Lumsden. Moses Eastman,
Charles D. Dreux, Richard Wade,
P. O.. Broussard, A. S. Fox,
A Landry, J. E. Trudeau.
A. .-1:.I -u.L~-.- 1900. ktTsl- -- ,