Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-02-05
a Elattering Picture!

We lind the following paragraph LII aa afl'
Gle in the st. Francisville Wing of last week
ave have been a regular attendant at the
Capitol, during the sittings of the Legislature
for a number of years past, and we must say
that that body, as regards intelligence grows
beautifully less at each succeeding session.
Never, within our recollection, has such a he
triogenous conglomeration of sense and non
sense been congregated in so small a space as
is now assembled in the State Capitol at Baton
Rouge. There is the man 40 years OF age, a
native of Germany, a Democrat by profession:
! by trade a Cobbler, who can neither read or
write. And then there is the man who can
Just make out to do both, without any preten-
sions to such capacity as should be!ongto a
legislator. 1t isa matter of no Importance what
may be the trade or profession OF imam, but
we do think some little regard should be paid
to his capacity before elevating him to so i'm
portant a position as law-lnaker. Most assur-
eddy there is in the present assembled wisdom
Of the State, some gentlemen of known legls-
lative capacity, and upon them must depend the
safe guidance of affairs"
A fiattering picture, indeed, Of the present
Legislative body Of Louisiana! The editor
speaks as if he knew precisely what he is say
ing. Whether or not he exaegerates, we are
not prepared to say; but we had hoped and
believed, from the very able Senatorial and
Representative delegation sent from this pa
IRISH and district, that the present General As
sembly of our State was as we'll represented
in talent, to say the least, as those which pre-
ceded it. We have ourself, in former times,
taken occasion to refer to the very low scale
of intellect which characterized the Legisla-
lures of Louisiana compared with those Of
other States. As we intimated, however, we
thought that the times in this particular were
becoming brighter; but if we are mistaken, if
the Feliciana observer is right, we care not how
soon our Legislative bodies sink into utter in~
significance, when any change, if it comes,
will be for the best.
In Tennessee ard other Western States, no
can be elected to the Legislature unless
he gives the best of evidences that he posses
ses both merit and talent; ability is honored
there and he who becomes a candidate, must
mount the stump, and publicly divulge the
of his mind if he expects to get the
votes of his fellow-citizens. This custom,
it indispensable that a public man shall
repeatedly address the people during his cleo.
pioneering tour, doubtless deters inferior in
~,el'ects from pushing themselves forward for
lonors they are unworthy TO wear. There is
out little of this speaking from the stump done
n Louisiana. Let voters demand this trial of
Intellectual powers from candidates, as a con-
Of the highest Importance, which
lone dare sherk from, and our Legislatures
will soon be as brilliant Intellectually as the
of our sister States. Such custom
ere, as it does elsewhere, would tend better
0 secure the purity of our elections. This
uiet way of slipping along through a parish
nd pocketing votes, like a thief in the dark, is
very dangerous way, and should be put a
top to.
Since the foregoing was in type we have re-
the Capitolian Vis-a- Wis, which speaks
!, the following strain upon the subject of the
bove paragraph:
The Legislature Of hcompeents.-In old
mes, to be a Representative of the people in
se Legislature might have been an honor
hat time, We regret 10 say has passed. Not
nat the Office has become less important, but
lie order Of things has been reversed. Then,
nose only who were distinguished for integrity,
apacity and v~irtne, were selected to fill this
flee. Now, to a great extent, ignorance and
has taken the place of intelligence
nd sobrety. Then, the prefix of Honorable"
something it was evidence of merit,
and estimable character. These quali-
IS are altogether lacking in many who now
seats in the Legislature, and the prefix
Honorable" really seems to be burlesque.
God save the people!