Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-04-03
The l9th of April

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But nine days more intervenes before the
election takes place for or against a Conven-
ton to form a new Constitution. We wish to
impress it upon the minds of the people the
Importance of coming forward with alacrity
on the 18th, and vote for this measure--the
main plank in the platform Of the wings last
fall-by placing in the ballot-box a printed or
written ticket, with the word "Convention" up
ION it. Let US carry this ticket in Iberville by
an overwhelming majority, and show that here
we are united for Reform and Progression
the abolition of laws which place the officers
of the Judiciary in the hands of the Executive,
which impose onerous taxes, impede the circu-
lation of capital, arrest improvements, cramp
the spread of education--and particularly, that
we are unanimous in desiring men to frame
the new Constitution, Of political principles
different from those who had the honor of be-
ing in the majority when the present instru-
ment was concocted, to perpetuate the glory
and welfare-of the Democrats.
We presume it is not forgotten by the peo-
pie of this Parish, how strenuously was urg.
ed last Fall the antipathy entertained by some
of the prominent gentlemen of the democra-
cratic party, against a Convention, against a
new Constitution, against every thing which
the wings were in favor Of" as a matter Of
principle! When the election is over, and it
is decided by the people that a Convention
shall be habitat a better Constitution shall
be framed-in spite of the exertions of demo-
cratic leaders to prevent such beneficial mea-
sures FROM accruing, we are curious 10 learn
what reasons and ~locofoco logic those same
gentlemen will use, why they, as candidates,
should be elected to perform what they so We
hemently opposed! The electors of Iberville
are certainly not SO viry as to be warped into
the favor of those who seek their suffrages to
assist in making a better Constitution, when
they have so repeatedly exclaimed that the pre-
sent one is "good enough!" Aye, they may
think that anything is 'good enough" for the
people after their votes have been obtained,
but we are of opinion that "the people" will ap-
prise those democrats, who glory in the name
but not in the spirit and principle of democ-
racy, that they are not "good enough" for them
on the l4th of June next!
But recurring more particularly TO the cap
ton of this article, or the subject which it in.
PRODUCES, we urge the necessity of every friend
of the Convention in the parish to exert him.
self in the interval of time between this and
the 18th, to impress it upon the minds of all
to a measure pregnant with so much
good, the Importance of action end energy,
and to see that moi a vote be lost through apa-
thy.
The Bee of Tuesday, has the following ju-
remarks upon this subject:
We have said that little or no doubt exists of
the concurrence of the citizens, in the contenl-
plated changes. But it would be unwise thence
to infer that the call for a Convention will not
opposition. There is in our midst, a par
ty which is from habit and principle, ayerse to
projects of reform. There is likewise, a frac-
lion composed of those who were mainly in
in establishing and framing the pres
ent Constitution. From the influence quietly
and secretly excited, Of these adversaries, dam
ger is to be apprehended. A minority exposed
to a vigilent majority, can of course, accom-
plish nothing. But it is the marked proclivity
of majorities to grow supine in their over-con-
and the larger their predominance, the
apt are they to employ the energy and &C
tivity essential to triumph. On the other hand,
a watchful and Jealous minority is ever espy-
ing the points in its opponents discipline and
ever ready to take advantage of an
error, and to work ceaselessly while we are
slumbering in fancied security. The vote on
the 18th of April, will be simply q record of
on a question of grave moment, but it
involve no contest for Office of honor, or
emolument. 1t stimulates no heated p~artizan-
and presents to the masses no exciting
appeals to action. Hence we fear that the vote
be thin. Now if there be twenty-five thou 3
sand citizens in favor of a Convention, and ff. ,
teen thousand against it, and a little over one. .
third of the "Ayes" should not take the trou.
to 60 to the polls, while all the "Noes"
vote, it is clear that the Convention l
might be defeated by a minority. This !
8 exactly what we fear, and consequently we Y
AXE this opportunity, and shall embrace it of. !
EN-, to keep the subject before the minds of the ,
in order that they may not, through :
apathy and neglect, suffer the State to lineer :.
'ut two more years of depression and decline. Il
TThe following notice appears in the Ba.