The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-09-05
A National Press Association.
From the s~ugar&Planter.

We are in recent OF communication
from r. Il. Rodgers, Esq, of the Sanders
vile, Ca, Herald, containing the resO-
Iutions adopted by the Georgia Press
Association, in reference to the fOrma-
ton of a National Press Association.
The resolutions are below and speak for
themselves. They will be laid before
the Press Association of this State at its
meeting on the 23d October next, and
prompt action solicited thereon. After
carefully considering the subject matter
of the preamble and resolutions, we
incline to the opinion that a National
Press Association would add greatly to
the interest of the fraternity and be pro-
ductive of good to the people at large.
There should be, in our opinion, a free,
full and unprejudiced exchange OF ideas
upon the affairs OF this great country at
three years, Just as the majority may de-
eide, and II done with proper spirit,
much of the acerbity of the press, North
and South which still exists, might be
rendered nugatOry and a better, a o
~fraternal feeling prevail. We would
like to hear from the members of our
Press Association upon this subject, Civ
ing their views, one way or the other,
so that when we meet in October next,
opinion will be settled upon the course
to be pursued in regard to forming a
National Association:
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
Whereas, It has been the custom, the
"time whereof the memory Of man run
meth not to the contrary,nst to allow the
free transmission, through the mails, OF
printed journals in exchange with each
other, and it has also been untila recent
date, the immemOriai custom in the
State to exemptfrOm taxation, the print
ing material of every newspaper; and,
Whereas, We regard the action OF the
General Assembly of Georgia, in levy
ing a tax upon printing material III this
State, and that Of Congress, in requiring
payment of postage on exchanges, asl .
vading the immunities of the Press OF
the country, and that such is not promo
tive of the best interest of the people,
does not accord with the true principles
of republican government, and is adj
verse to the general welfare Of the cOun-
try
Whereas, We believe the custom was
salutary, and We hold, that the freedom
of the Press is SYNONYMOUS with the lib
erty Of the people, and that such acts as
referred to are unsoundin policy, in that
they serve to embarrass the Press, and
deprive the people of an extensive ditfu-
| sion ofnews, and OF a general dissem-
nation of useful intelligence, and
Whereas, The recent legislation of
| Congress has deprived the Press OF some
of its most valued and valuable priyil-
eges, whish fact must be taken as a
declaration of war against the whole
"fourth estate" by that department of
the government, and that, actuated by a
principle of self-preservatiOn, we must
unite and prepare to defendfrom further
aggression the last remaining bulWark
of a free people, a free and untrammeled
| Press. And
Whereas, Believing that in %"union
there is strength and Where no coun-
sci is the people fall, but in the multi
tude of counselors there is Safety the
necessity of united action by the Press
of the country becomes apparent, and as
a complete remedy for existing evils,
and to oppose the further inroads Of op-
preston, we propose the formation Of a
National Press Association for the Uni
ted States. Therefore, be it
list Resolved, That the President OF
this association appoint a committee OF
five members thereof, to confer with the
officers of other State Associations and
with prominent (and leading) journals
throughout the Union, for the purpose
| Of forming a National Press Association
I'd Resolved, That such committee be
authorized, in behalf of this Association
to take all necessary steps for the form
alton of such an Association as above
mentioned, and that said committee be
required to report the result Of their &C
ton to the President, at the earliest
practical period, who shall thereupOr
Immediately call a meeting of the Asso-
citation, to considerthe same and appoint
delegates to such National Convention
Sd Resolved, That the object Of this
movement is to promote the varied in,
terests of the whole people, the genera
welfare of the country, the dissemina,
ton acknowledge, toresist the encroach,
of constitutional liberty.
4th Resolved, That we recognize the
rights, and the power of the people, thai
we respect their will, and we earnestly
invoke their aid and encouragement t.
the efforts of the Press to preserve con,
stitutional government and civil liberty
ABoGUs PRINGEss-THE PRINCESS DT
PoLIGNAC.-A case of unusual interes
has recently come up in a Paris court
The defendantwa q handsome brunette
named Madame Leda Blanchard, WHIT
was accused Of falsely taking the IT'LL
of the Princess de Polignac. She sai(
that she had borne the Princes name
the religious ceremony having been con
was a tradesman, whom the lady owed:
/ hill foTt rannHc m 1nTrTa+TT ~ too ON 4,ov ar
She had paid over half, when the hard
ships of the siege prevented her from
continuing her payments. Her defens,
proved that in 1866 she met the Prime,
de Polignac, and, whether or not a re
ligious ceremony took place, sheleft he
home to follow him. He was at tina
time in the French army, and two chill
dren were born of the union. AfterWart
he resigned his position and came to thi
country, where, in the Confederate army
he rose to the rank of a. Major General
and had a separate command in Texas
where he proved himself Almost efficien
officer. Madame Leda was with hin
here a faithful friend, and on being sep
arated and returning to France, he Wr0t
her some very aHectionate letters, WhicI
were read in court. In Paris, though h
was separated from Madame Blanchard
her wants were supplied by his mothe
and brother. The lady received a SINAI
pension also, but trouble ensued, an,
these fayors ceased, SO that Madam
Blanchard was brought into court 70
debt. The judge decided that she ha,
violated the law, but, considering th
circumstances, released her with a SINAI
fine.
The following bill for hanging an
boiling a friar is taken from an old En-
glish magazine: "Aceountofthe hangin
and nanhni1inn nE Erian SEa1an If Cantnr