Gazette and sentinel., 1861-03-23
Little Too Much of a Good Thing.

glanced over its proceedings, that this politi-
cal body was bestowing its attention upon
matters Of legislation not within IFS jurisdic-
ton. or within the sphere OF those duties for
which it was specially convened by the voice
of the people. Those impressions became
more fixed perhaps, from the fact that the
State Leg Stature was in session at the same
time. and had constitutional cognizance OF
much puhljc business which the Convention
had assumed to take charge of or to aPpropri.
ate to itself. When, therefore, a member of
/ the Convention offered sarcasticalIy a reso'u-
ton to abolish the Legislature, we thought it
not a bad idea, unless the Convention prefer
red to abolish itself by adjourning size die
The people were, it appeared, paying two bo-
dies for the performance Of duties which one
could have accomplished, if they did not in
fact l~egitimately belong to the Legislature;
and such a state Of things does not exactly
tally VI III the economical ideas Of a Demo-
! cratic people. 1t was certainly extravagant
| for two political bodies, having similar (unc.
| tionS, to be in operation at the same time.
But up TO this time, ~ourself as well as many
of our contemporaries, W are convinced, who
were warm advocates for the Convention, felt
a d~elicacy in being the first to ccnsure a body
whose convocation they had been instrument
tai in bringing about, Cat least such were our
| feelings,) trusting from day to day that the
Convention would see the propriety of bring
ing its session to a close, til at length to be
louce- silent would be criminal, if the press
assumes to itself the guardianship Of the no.
nor, rights aud interests Of the people.
We innocently supposed i. to be the duty
of the Convention to adjourn Immediately af>
ter it had got through with the main and in
cidental duties for which it was convokcd-
to be called together again in any emergency
which the Governor thought justified it, and
which our Legislative body conld not legally
take cognizarce Of. But we were disappoint-
cd. The Convention still pursued its course,
legislating upon matters which either properly
be longed to the Legislature or to a convention
called to reeise the present organic la~ Of the
State. At length there are murmurs arising
from a Power before which all others in this
Democratic land must bow. As the spokes.
man Of that Power, or an integral of il, We
assume the responsibility Of raising our voice
in opposition to the course which the Conven-
ton is pursuing, but with a full knowledge Of
the humble and unpretending source from
which such remonstrance springs.
The Convention was called together for a
special and pressing necessity. 1t soon, no.
bly, and periodically, effected. he purposes for
which it was convoked. Freeing Louisiana
from the hateful tyranny of Black Republican
rule and persecution, providing for all pos
sible contingencies that could grow out Of
such an act-'aking possession of federal pro.
perty, authorizing an inventory to be had, Or
ganizing an army, dc, for protection-were
about all the services required Of the Conven
ton. Had it adjourned after e%iTecting these
desideratums, it would have saved to the
State at least $4,000 per week, and have me
ritcd the lasting gratitude Of the State. 1t is
to be lamented that it took a contrary course.
The Baton Rouge Adpoedte, in an article
upon this subject, says:
Experimenting with our banking in
situations, our railroads and the cOrpo-
rate Institutions of individuals by a
body elected to consider Federal rela-
tions alone, should and must be discon-
tinued, or those engaged in it will meet
a fearful condemnation when they lay
aside the robes of power and return
to their homes. The General Assembly
is the tribunal to which the people look
for legislation on matters Of q strictly
local character. That body is elected
for this purpose-the present State
Convention was not.
So say we-and we have but little doubt
that our delegates from this parish are Of the
same opinion.
In his remarks upon the Banking Ordi-
nance, on Wednesday, Judge WALKER, a de-
legate from New Orleans, takes occasion to
say:
He had never expressed, either by
words or by act, that the Convention
possessed powers beyond those for
which it was constituted. The COnven-
tion was called into existence exclu-
sively for political purposes, arising
from the triumphs of a policy fatal to
our political existence, and the Conven-
ton was framed to meet this emergency.
This is unquestiOnably the correct UNDER
standing Of the purposes for which the Con-
~vention was called into existence at the COM
mand of the masses. Let it do what it was
called TO do, and leave the rest to God and
l IL D-.-