The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-04-06

constitution. Mere politicians and the parties
to which they belong are not interested in this
inquiry, because any restraint on the action Of
such as find their way to the Legislature. would
Of course operate prejudicialIy to their interest
as a class, and could not be popular with them
If on the voyage Of discovery, any thing bear
ing resemblance to a constitution be found, let
it be published in the newspapers and printed
in the school books; let it be written on stone
and engraved on brass, that runners may read
it and learn its plain letter. Another sugges
ton could be proftably acted upon relative to
the constitution. viz: such a~splrants to office as
have read the document, should tell the people
who either cannot Or win not read-all they
know about it, when they take the stump to de-
liver themselves. An interesting and protita-
bic discourse would that be to any audience in
Louisiana, to define the relative position Of the
seperate bodies Of magistracy to the c%onstitu-
ton of the State; ascertain its latitude and lon
gitude and let US know where it stands as au-
thority. Is it subservient to the Legislature, as
authority from the people, or is it not rather
their supreme will, before which the legislative,
executive and judiciary should bow with res
pect and acknowledged allegiance? If this IS
not SO, why require members Of the Legislature
to swear on it, and to support it? Is it a mere
form in obedience to custom? Does a solemn
oath 10 support the constitution of the United
States and the State of Louisiana mean nothing
at all? It would seem 50, since overt acS2 Of
treason against each are common. Little is
vcntured when the assertion is made that one
half Of the pipe-laying ~demagogues who COM
to the legislature and swear to support the con-
s%titulion, NOV nothing of it-have never even
read it. Instead Of having an inutle and un-
profitable prayer in the legislature every morn
ING, it would be a better idea to employ som
minister in an ante-room, to read in the pres
ence Of holy water, with bell, book and candle,
the constitution under which they have been
elected, and under which it is expected they
shall act. If the document is SO complex and
intricate as not to be ineligible to common
sense, such as the people are presumed to have;
why then let it be narrowed down to a few sim
pie and safe provisions which the people should
maintain to preserve the semblance Of a repub-
lican form. How often, may we ask, has the
legislature oftheState, in general assembly con-
yencd, violated the clear provisions Of the con
s"titution, and each member thereofhis own oath
Of allegiance to the same? There has not been
a session since the adoption Of that instrument.
The tyrannical~ assumptions Of the legislature Of
1856 relative to New Orleans; the sanction of
an appointed board o~fswamp land commission
ers in place of an elective board ofpublic works,
specially provided for in the constitution, may
be referred to in passing notice.
Whatdocs the following very simple and clear
article of the constitution signify?
ART. l22. No person shall hold or exercise at the
same time, more than one civil Office OF emolument,
except that Of justice ofthe peace.
In contravention of this law, the secretary Of
state and the state treasurer are each salaried
officers, as members Of the board of currency.
luis true that their salaries $500 each is paid
by the banks, but the law organizing the board,
fixes the amount and directs the manner in
which it shall be paid. In addition to this, the
legislature, before adjourning, passed an act
which has been signed by the governor, and
bears at this writing the aspect flaw, giving the
treasurer an additional salary Of $4,000 as re-
ceiyer Of public monies. The question is an in
teresting one. GLOW many offices Of emolu-
ment may one person hold at a time under a con-
s]titution which says No person shall hold or
exercise at the same time more than one civil
Office Of emolument?'" Will some Phiistine
learned in the law-with a smattering know
ledge of the kings English-please answer this
question?
While the prudent, conservative men Of the
south, are quieseently resting upon their oars,
and crying out as each note Of warning falls
upon their ears, "a little more sleep, a little
more slumber, a little more folding Of the arms
to sleep" their f~reesoil enemies Of the north
are working perseverance, Systematically, skill
full, and with an energy that knows not Stun
Der or WEAKNESS, to ensure the success of their
candidate-who win be Seward or a worse
MANN 1860. We have frequently predicted
that they would succeed; and we deeply regret,
although years have elapsed since we first ven
tured tie prediction, that nothing has occurred
to weaken the impressions entertained at the
beginning. On the contrary, succeeding events,
as they pressed upon each other, have only
served to strengthened those melancholy con
y%ictions.
The last and most important move in this
direction we find chronicled in the New York
Tribune Of the 10Th ult., 1t comes in the shape
of a proposition to publish an edition Of one
hundred thousand copies Of H. r. Helpers
vile abolition work entitled "Impending Crisis
of the South, at the rate Of sixteen cents per
copy, so that it may be scattered broadcast all
over the free States; and, TO use the language
Of The Tribune, especially in Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, Indiana, Delaware, Maryland, and
TIE other border slave States.'' And continues