New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-01-20
facilitating under Threats +!

Whilst we recognise 70 Tvs lullesV eAteie ehe
aoctr;ne of the accountability of the Representa-
rive to his constituency, in all cases where pub
Ia opinion may be clearly arrived at; whilst
I'VE hold him to be simply the servant of the
psople, placedsin Office to carry out their will,
And responsible to them for any neglect of duty !;
whilst we consider this agency Of the representa-
tive to be a cardinal principle in all Republican
governments, we feel it a solemn dnty to protest
against any attempt to set up the wishes OF
few. as an expression of public opinion, and
every attempt to convey rebuke or infictpunish-
ment, outside of the ballot box. or the Judicial
tribunal Let the representative once feel that
he may be threatened, insulted, brow beaten,
and ordered to resign, with impunity, by any
class Of the community. upon whom his vote
may impose tax or imagined burthen. and he
ceases to be cit for his duties; we lose all qua
rantee that the clamor of the few will not be
mistaken for the wishes and feelings of his con-
stituency. Having been placed in office by the
majority, public opinion should so surround and
shield his independence, as to enable him fear
lessly to carry out measures and opinions, hon
estly considered as beneficial to the whole, and
As fully in accordance with the wishes of the
many.
Threatening dictation to the legislator, strikes
at the very roots Of our principles of Govern
ment, and never should be tolerated for mo-
ment, even in the humblest department of our
Association few days since we were shocked
by the vile and infamous letter of Christian j.
Young, President of the Bar and Cabaret
Keepers Association addressed to the Mayor
and Common Council of our city, and replete
with threats of personal violence and mob law,
unless tax, held obnoxious, be repealed-a let
ter, it's true, extravagantly written, to de-
feat its object by its own terms of folly, yet,
doubtless, evidencing the fact that an attempt
is to be made upon the independence of our
City Fathers, through the power of an &c asso-
ciation.'
We should have been content to pass by Mr.
Christian ]. Young and his folly, without fur.
ther comment; but that we find the same at
tempt to frighten representatives into terms, is
now being made in our sister city of Lafayette |
The Coffee house keepers of that city, have |
been required by ordinance to pay their licenses
in adUance-in consequence of which outrageous |
grievance, we have two special Indignation meet
ings. The Mayor is required to call special |
session of the Council; special session is held,
to consider the respectful remonstrance of the |
People, through committee duly authorized |
=. 10 request those members to resign aoho lco,ld
disregard popular i,astructions.''
A proper remonstrance from any body of
citizens, will never fail to receive attention and
consideration; but the attempt of a few, to pass
off their cry as expression of public will, and
to change laws through the terms of threat
must sgnally fail.
We are glad to see that the Council of La
fayettee promptly rejected the Indignation
and feel confident, that such
will never be countenanced by the
larger portionof the Coffee house keepers. either
in this city or in Lafayette. Our experience
rs always found them w-abiding class of
citizens.