The daily comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1850-1856, 1852-09-04
The New Constitution.

This instrument meets with but lille OPP
position, says the New Orleans Della, either
in the country or city. 1t will, we believe,
be adopted by lar ger majority than that
which approved the Convention. 1t is true,
some persons object strongly to the total
population clause but, then, in many parts
of the State this basis will meet with gene
raj favor The fact is, in question Of the
division of political power, it is very diff
cult, if not impossible, to bring people OF
distinct sections to act upon any fixed or de-
finite principle Each will try to get some
advantage, to strengthen itself by abstract
ing from the power of another. 1t is vain
to talk CT abstract political principles, to
people engaged in such division of power.
The slave basis was admitted in the Con-
veuton which made the Federal Constitu-
ton, not as principle, but as compromise
between sovereignties, of rival and conflict
ing tendencies. A like feeling and Iela-
tion, no doubt, produced the compromise
which admits the population basis in
our new Constitution. 1t is idle to pretend
that it is equivalent to representation OF
property, or that it places slaves on level
with whites.
The total population includes other per-
sons, who are neither slaves nor property,
in the ratio of representation. This, for
instance, in New Orleans, there is large
class of foreigners, persons who are not ma
turalized,- who do not intend to be;
there are also many free colored PERSONS
all OF whom enter into the basis of total
population So far as this is concerned, the
large foreign population, together with the
slaves and free colored persons, will give it
a reasonable share of political power in our
Legislature, much better share than it
would have under system, such as was
strongly advocated by tae country members
of the Convention who were opposed to the
total population basis, to wit fixed fac
ton of the representation forever without
regard to any increase of population. Any
basis for New Orleans is preferable to the
narrow minded policy of certain politicians,
who labor ceaselessly to degrade and weak
en- this great city, of which every Louisian-
ian should be proud.
We are happy to perceive that the oppo-
sition to the new Constitution in the coun-
try is very limited, even in quarters where
it was apprehended such opposition would
arise.
The democratic papers on Red River, in
the Felicianas, and in other parts of the
State. 60 for the adoption of the Constitution
We perceive, too, that the Concordia Intel
ligencer, which has been quoted as hostile
to the total population basis, removes all
on that score, by the follow
ing satisfactory statement.
"A mistaken impression seems to have
gone abroad that the Concordla Intelligencer
is opposed to the ratio Of representation,
based on the entire population, free and
slave. This is mistake, as it is too much
in favor of Concordia and other great plant
ing parishes for us to object We published !
opposed to it, and part of a !
minority report against it before the basis |
was adopted, but reserved our own indivi-
dual opinion"
IowA-This young State is in an
,nviahle nosition with raoard r., ;ta