Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1843-10-21
TIE CONVENTION.

IT ia pretty generally conceded the powers
of the Convention will be only restricted by
the a~rtirie 81 The Constitution Of the United
States prohibiting the establishment I. any
other than a Republican form Of government.
Under fhfs view. il il maniie$tly the duty MS
sell aathe interest Of The people, through the
press and every other convenient fneaus, 10
instruct the members of the Convention as 10
what amendments or changes they desire
them 10 consider and adopt. 1t has been
suggested by sofae, primary meetings OF the
people, should be called together in each
Parish Of The State and they should by a Sc
riee Of Resolutions set forth tho grievances q
which they complain and tie changes they be-
lieve necessary 10 remedy these for the iu-
tnre. One thing ,seeustp be gran'ed by all
The sober and rejecting portion Of The eo:1mu-
nity, ifmeans are not soon taken 10 rntIRe the
public mind, the members Of the Convention
will in all probability take their seats as Par
tisans looking only To ths accomplishment d
party purposes aud the blind aud short sight
ed policy of p1rty leaders.
Ii is quite plain from the first and last vote
Of the people calling a Convention, they de-
sire a change OF their system of Government
but whether they only ask it 10 be made in
conformity to and restricted by the sugGes-
tiona contained in the Act Of the Legislature,
ii At least doubtful. The majority Of those
with whnn the writer has colversed on this
subject ask some ctHioHs questions--' why
talk TO us about the danger Of a Convention !!
is not our present aystem based on The adj.
lnitted truth. The people are capable not only
Of selecting their governor but forming the
Government itself! were there no parties at
tEsx ,a,t.J ,ba E.., a,aafiy.tt,, ,.oe aHpntod I
Has time and experience made us ignorant
If our present wants. IL the wenrer of the
shoe not the best judge where it pinches a.
BY the recent vote deciding a Convention as
proper and necessary, the foregoing qles-
tons have acquired an Importance demanding
our serious consideration. The people have
said, we viii once more meet together in our
sovereign capacity, to consider Of our present
condition, 10 see what ravages time and cir
cuulstances have made in our social fabric
what ameljorations have become necessary to
suit the exigency ofthe time and advance our
welfare for The future. The Agents which
the peop'e are about 10 be called on to select
to fulfil the high and important trust Of carry
ing out their views. are not to be more au-
tomatons-they ought 10 be chosen for their
wisdom, moderation aud prudence,
and go into the Contention, resolved to adopt
such a constitution az from a free Interchange
Of opinion, they believe best adapted TO the
and spirit of the Age, the disposition
and manners of the people. Laws and con-
stitutions are but the impress of the times
aud the nearer they conform themselves to
the actual wants of society will they furnish
a true history Of their trainers and their adj
vance in the art and policy of civilized life.
1t has frequently Of late been asked what
will the convention make ! will the
Judiciary be touched! The writer for one,
believes the people Of this State pay more for
and the officer who administer it, than
any other under the sun and If we wanted
no other evidence of the amiabie disposition
IF the creole population, it would be fully es-
tablished bv their patient sufferance Of such
A crying evil. We ale as reluctant as our
whining friends TO render the Judiciary cleo
live but we cannot keep believing the moss
IF the people are just as much interested in
a Judge who will please them as a
Governor or member of the Legislature. IF
he people can safely appoint a Judge by their
agents (the Governor and Senate) as is grant
"a by those opposed TO election by the pop
vote, how soes il happen they cannot re-
sumo the power? Is the Governor and Sen
tie beyond the pale of party feeling and in
and is it not much more difficult ,
the majority of the community, than
few selected Agents! Besides who can best
ujge Of the qualifications of an officer a
and Senate who perhaps never saw
he man, or his immediate neighbor whsai
,annot be deceived ? Government is
,ased Oh the snpposition the governed pos
less the information necessary to select
heir agents if not the sooner our free con-
are abolished the better. Public
are The servants not the masters OF
hose who have appointed them to administer
he laws. In a republic no man should de-
mean himself in such a manner as TO awaken
suspicion he makes use Of the shield of the
aw, TO crafty an unholy ambition, a selfish
If a sordld feeling, or a mean spirit of re-
From all the writer can learn on the
ubject Of the judiciary the Judge, will be
elected by the people and for short periods.
These cursory remarks are sent you, Mr..
sditor with the hope they may induce some
me 10 enlighien the public mind and bring
bout a full expression of the views of the
Of the Ieople 10 serve as guards to
uf members in the Convention.
CANDIDUs.