The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1863-12-24
EERe State Of EOsi{sics


We cannot find better illustration OF the
recklessness OF re licaiisll, and It's disregard
OF truth and reason, than is furnished in
the attempt to destroy the State Of Louisi;,-
na and bring her into the Union us a Terri
tory, OF new State with new constitu-
ton. There is a loud outcry Of abolition
lists against any attempt 10 revive what
they call "thc cid pro-slavcry constitution
of Louisiana" The attempt is made to
convey to the public mind the idea that
men VINO desire to have Louisiana resume
her status in the Union as the old State Of
Louisiana, desire it because the constitu-
tion Is pro-siavcry, and that by retaining
the old constitution they will retain slavery
Nothing could be more untrue The vari-
Gus constitutions Of Louisiana never COR
| tanned one word on the subject Of slavery,
recognizing: establishing, Or controlling il.
The constitution cf the State OF Louisiana.
adopted in 1852, which is to-day the law
of that State, above all other law except
that of the United States, does not mention
slavery and is in 10 possible sense of the
word ''pro-slavery." The system Of slavery
in Louisiana is not dependent on the consti-
tuition at all. The subject is under the
control Of the people Of the State, who, by
their ordinary channels Of legislative ac-
ton, may, if they choose, provide for its
removal or modification 1t is in the same
condition any other system of property
holding, and the laws which regulate it are
subject to Legislative revision or repeal at
the will Of the people.
Why then do the radicals want to over
throw that constitution? For what reason
do they desire to have a new convention to
adopt new constitution and make new
State of Louisiana? It is not impossible
that an answer to this question mag not be
found in Title II, Article u of the Corsti-
tuition, which puis large stumbling block
in the way Of certain radical plans for man
aging elections. The article provides that
''no soldier, seaman, or marine in tie array,
or navy Of the United States,
shall be entitled 10 vote at any election in
this State. This may be diaiculty in the
way Of plans fer controlling elections in
Louisiana, which causes the loud outcry Of,
radicals dcwn there against the ''pro-s!a, cry
constitution as they call it, and they prob
ably desire to force an abolition constitu-
tion On the people.
At the present time the city Of New Or
leans is governed with full recognition Of
the constitution Of 1852 as an existing In
strument All the courts OF civil and |
criminal jurisdiction i'll the city are depen-
dent on that constitution for their power |
If there is such q crime as murder, such q |
process as the foreclosure of a mortgage, or
~ action fer the collection of debt-if
there are any remedies or safeguards for
property or person by the interposition of
the courts Of law, these are wholly due 70 |
the present existing validity of the CoDsti-
tuition OF 1882 aud the fact that Louisiana |
is to-day State, in tho United States, by |
that Constitution. We are well aware that |!
the legal argument is of no Importance to |
the radicals. They trample On LAW aud |
constitution with needless feet To attain
plumber and spells Of Office, to destroy the
Southern States and keep them from ever
becoming voting members Of the Union, /
the abolition party viii do anything against
law But our readers should know the |
fact in cases like this, and therefore We as
sure them, that Notwithstanding the loud /
outcry of abolitionists against the old pro
slavery" Constitution of Louisiana, and
against those who wish to bring the State
into the Union under it, there i. not one
word about slavery in it, nor one provision
from beginning to end which can prevent
the people Of Louisiana from abollshing
slavery whenever they choose. The out
cry Of the aboltiOnists is therefore intend
ed to deceive, and, Ike great deal else
that they do, untounded in reason OF in
truth-(New York journal of Commerce.
Election cf Spcakcr-EsON IL Was
Dcne.