The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-02-13


constitutionaI Reform.
Ite altering or remodeng Of fundamental laws, I
seems TO be extensively prevalent among the States
Of our Union. Men appear 10 he in a marvellous
hurry to get rid Of The Institutions under which their
fathers ptospred, and % treat them az but tempo
rafy e1fedients, Of course in the advance Of popu.
lation and intelligence 10 be laid aside. In the
greater number Of changes proposed, and many Of /
those adopted, are foreibls remiided Of an ae- /
count given Of the early settlers Of Plymouth or |
Connecticut, who, in their haste to get up some
code Of government, concluded to take the law Of
God for their guide until they had time 10 make
better!
These reforms sre for the most part of very recent
adoption, and somewhat in the nafureof expert
menls, OF which we cannot with certainty say that
they are in all eases Improvements. Our own Con-
suton is but Of four years standing; and already
the ncipient steps taken to modify it in i'm
portant particular. Election Of judges by the pso
pleis here referred to- and it is gratifying this
instance 10 run with The current of public opinion,
as those we'll know who have ofien attempted 70
stem and been borne down by it. This mode Of
appointment has long been repugnant to the minds
Of cur best and most respectable citizens, proceed
/ ing not much from want OF confidence in the
people, for they daily submit their dearest interests
without hesitation to the determination Of junes
taken az hazard from among them, but il is occa-
stoned by The association Of this idea with radical
ism, and its having been first suggestion of dema
gogues for their advantage. 1t is agreeable TO
| see, however, that wherever the experiment has
been put in practice, litlls benefit has accrued
| to this class from their suggestion From this
result, together with its unexpected good working
where it has been longest tried, il has steadily pro-
gressed in favor with the lovers of law and order.
So far the experience this subject is, that the
| people will listen to Jack Cade on the stump,
laugh at. or with him, and sometimes be led into
inconsdesate actions, the consequences of which
they cannot calculate but as he is seldom their
legal adviser, we may fairly presume that he will
be as seldom their choice for judge.
/ All agree that the appointing power should be
lodged in hands least subject to the binding preiu
dices and Influences Of party, and freest from the
control of designing men. The Governor owes his
elevation to party and party leaders and if he be
not strong, reliable party man in cther words,
| pliabie TO their eBds-the chances much against
| his success. Thus circumstanced, thus under obi-
galion, be must be more Than man 10 resist the de-
nands of that party and those who placed him in
office He is, when elected, literally btdled and
saddled, TO be ridden III iurn by all who have az
sisted at his equipment There may be enough, of
men Weh qhtiltu tut JuuBes, OI MS parry, OF tftFe
may not; at all events, a large and perhaps the
best portion of The legal community are excluded
from competition, appointed at great risk II
parry unbrage, and personal abuse TO the Governor
thus offending. But who bows not in silent sub
mission to the voice and will Of the people!
The elective power, in the hands of one or both
bFahcles of our Legislative Assembly, may be con.
sdered iniermedite, in this view Of the subject
between appointment by the Governor and election
by the people, Bn; lhey, TOO, are composed Of mer
still labOrng under the heats OF an exciting canvas
just over, il which partisan ahn1e has produces
party hatred and, too, exaspeJaed by the struggle
not in greater less degree TO be blassed in thei
e Judgment. An instance of how legislative as
s sembly may be Influenced by intrigue and (what
l. the other word y eorrupiion is OF so recent dat
TO the people of Louisiana, that fears may be We
entertained that the eimine viii be soiled if en-
trusted to their care, or placed in their power.
! Election OF judges by the people, is distinct al
i tice in the confession of faith of neither of II,
great political parties Of this connlry; but is ndi
! ferently adopted by both Kentucky twhig) an,
0 Pennsylvania tdoubIfub are following in the foot
: steps OF Mississippi (democraD in this reform. Il
= the latter State for more than fifteen years, th
+ people have exercised this power with singula
a judgment and praisewortlIy mpariiality, in defane
t. too of all attempts to enlist party spirit
y There is much in our new Constitution which il
: Objectionable, to which this addition will consti
tute a redeemlng feature. With or without our ap
probation, all signs of the times point to its adoption
by the people; and it is agreeable once in whil
! to be the popular side OF question, especall!
when such position costs no sacrifice of principle
: ". v. d.