The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-09-13
Our State Election.

The New Orleans Star Of the ID iast intimates what
is to be expected from Gov. Wells il relation to the
Reorganization Of Louisiana az State of the Federal
Union. we have no doubt that the Star speaks by
authority when it says that it is fault Of the gov
ernor if there be delay in getting the legislation and
congressional machinery into full operation again. but on
the contrary that he is anxious avoid any unnecessary
postponement Some delay has occurred in substitut-
ing the provisional goveruorship for that which Gov
Wells at present exercises owing to the nonreceipt by
the president of the governors application. 1t is
known that the commission is ready and is presumed
that it will soon be received The Star intimates that
when the substitution takes place the legislation Of the
last four years will be nullity and also the consttu
ton formed under Gen. Banks military administration
So it would seem that we are to have provisional
governor at last if there be any truth in the ntma
tons thrown out by the STAR which we have grounds
to doubt It is really the only proper and legitimate
course to follow and should have been naugurated two
months ago. SO that Louisiana might have been one OF
the first instead of the last State to knock at the door
of congress for admtance. However it is better late
than never. to do good deed. The governors course
will be plain and clear. He can call a convention in
the same manner in which Cows Sharkey and Parsons
acted taking the constitution Of 1852 as a basis Of
representation and following its provisions in the de-
tails for conyoking and holding such an assembly. We
heartily congratulate our citizens on the prospect of
getting rid of the constitution of 1864 which efectuay
debarred Us from ever getting back into the Union and
which in every respect is 50 disaseful to our people
The Pcayune its issue of the 30th ult has the Sub
Joined paragraphs in relation to this constitution
"a pretended State government and constitution
we're established in this city under the auspices of Gen
Banks, without any constitutional or political auth0ri
sation, and in which but miserable fraction of the
people had any particpation-a government and con
sttution to which the great Of the people feel
profound repugnance on account of the frauds and
corruption which characterised its origin, its proceed
ings and its results.
under this constitution State officers were daily elect
ed, including senator's representatives, ETC. These
officers still hold their places claim them. GOV.
Wells, though entirely disconnected from the Illegal
and obnoxious proceedings Of this organisation, holds
bis Office under this constitution Of 1864 With rare
courage and frankness, he Of the first to ex
pose and dencunce the frauds which alone are sufi-
cient to render that whole movement offence in the
nostrils Of all honest citizens
'But thus far Gov. Wells has been obliged in lis
official course to proceed under the constitution Of
1864. He perhaps thinks he has no authority to set
it aside. The last congress rejected the representa-
tves and senators elected under this bogus govern
ment. There is no reason to doubt but that the next
congress viii act likewise. The result Of this action
will be to shut Louisiana out Of the national council
to reduce her to the condition Of territory, such IS
she ceased to be half century ago. when she became
a member Of the confederacy; nay, to leave her in
worse condition than the territories of the United
States, with all the burdens and responsibilities of
State without the benefits and honors and without the
aid and guardianship which are extended to the terri
tories by the national government This must continue
to be our position as long the folly and iniquty of
1864 are continued. We can do nothing until we get
rid Of that abortion. 1t is the incubus which has i'm
peded progress and thrown US in the rear Of cur
sister States in the work of restoration