New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-03-31
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

presented-quite sufficient to JUSTIFY the Star IN
nronouncng it q dull day. We presume that
papers ideas of busy day in Congress, or one of
| average interest, is when the number OF amend
ments proposed to the Consultation amounts to
some fifteen or twenty-or when some honorable
member carries carpet bag full, and turns them
out upon the House as if he were emptying bag
of potatoes upon the floor.
It is, indeed, wonderful how ricketty and rotten
an old concern the Constitution of the United
States has been discovered to be since the close
of the late war, though it was previously consid-
cred very good one. The original Constitution
was adopted in 1889, and the last of the amend
ments was agreed to in 1904 For considerably
over half a century we managed to get along tole-
rably well with the old Constitution though it was
often violated--and it is the popular belief that
during that time this country advanced somewhat
in wealth, population and power. 1t is true some
of its provisions were construed by interested par
ties so to allow all sorts of dangerous powers,
and John Randolph used to talk about driving
coach and four through it if it meant what the
attudinarians said. But Notwithstanding all that,
we got along very well with it, and would
get along very well with it again, if people
would only adhere strictly to its provisions Ger
tainIy the Southern people never objected to the
old Constitution, and all that they claimed was
that it should be observed in its letter and spirit
In proof of this when the Confederate Congress
at Montgomery adopted new Constitution. it was
almost an exact copy of the old one SO far as the
powers Of the different departments of the govern,
rnent were defined, the only variations being in
some unimportant particulars, not affecting the
original principles Of government laid down by
the fathers.n
The amendment abolishing slavery was the only
one really necessary the result of the war; and in
deed this was not absolutely necessary because the
Sixties would undoubtedly have abolished slavery
any way, in their sovereign capacity Of States, and
this would have been better way of getting rid
of the institution than bya constitutional amend
ment. BUTT appears that this amendment does
not satisfy the desires Of the constitutional tinker
ers of Washington. Their victory in the war seems
to be construed by them as furnishing an excuse
for remodeling the Constitution in Its parts-for
changing the whole form and structure of the
government it is remarkable that nearly ell the
proposed look to one object-the des-
tructon of the States, States, in everything but
their geographical boundaries, and the establish
ment of consolidated, centralised power at Wash
ington. The States, for instance, are to be
required to subscribe the doctrine that the Federal
government, in all its departments, is supreme
that they must yield what has been heretofore
under State jurisdiction to Federal jurisdiction
that Federal courts may exercise sort of appel
late jurisdiction State courts thatState legs-
latures can do nothing, even in regard to local
affairs, without getting consent from Washington
that States must no longer regulate suffrage within
their limits, but have it done for them by Federal
authority that even the domestic relation of EN-
ployer and employee must be regulated by Federal
law. To bring about all this is, as we have said,
to change the structure and remodel the form of
the government And therefore the Constitution
is to be torn to pieces, and patched and repached
until it becomes Of as various materialasa beggars
coat.
After.all, however, the solicitude to change the
Constitution seems to be altogether unnecessary.
With the liberal construction of the instrument
which radicalism INDUCES in, it will not be difficult
for that party to find pretended warrant and au-
thority for whatever powers they may consider it
proper to exercise, without taking the trouble TO
fortify their views with constitutional backing.
1t has been lately assumed that under the vague
language of the preamble about providing for
" the general walfare,'' everything and anything
that may be considered as conducting to the general
welfare is constitutional; and if this principle be
the anxiety to amend the Constitution
will be very apt to be attributed by the public not
10 much to consciousness of the defects of that
as to desire to be made conspicuous
IS the inaugurators of REFORM and as statesmen of
more than the usual amount of acuteness and pa
riotism.
AAll amendments to the Constitution must pass
wo-thirds of both Houses of Congress, and must
20 ratified by three fourths of the States before
hey are considered valid. There are now thirty
,ix States, three -fourths of which are twenty
seven. If, therefore, more than nine States reject
IN amendment, ii Is lost twill thus appear that
the various wild schemes Of patching the Consti- |
tuition, which are daily proposed, have but little
chance of success--and the radicals admit this,
when they require the acceptance of their amend
ments as condition precedentto the admission of
Southern representatives in Congress. We hardly
think the bride is sufficient. We do not believe
the Southern States will purchase admission into
Congress at . cost SO reat-the pulling to pieces
of the Constitution, the incorporation of amend
ments making this a consolidated government in
stead of a republic, and the sinking Of all State
The radicals had better fall back
upon the general welfare clause in the pre-.
tnDe OF Tie COHStltuli0H bH0uTh II Is PLAIN thai
there is formidable obstacle in their way in the
person of the President. The tinkering of the
Constitution with amendments is not necessary
under the present radical interpretation Of that in
strument nor is it likely to be successful if the at
temps are persisted in.
ST.. CHARLES THEATER.-Little Lottie had
benefit last night that was benefit. Few
such houses have been seen at the st. Charles
this season. She performed charmingly, and
when the curtain fell was called out, and made
speech as nattily as if extemporizng speeches
was her vocation. The Seven Daughters of
Satan" in which she performed last night, will be
this evening. III " y3.8s.
ACADEMY OF MusIc.-The great number of per-
formers at the Academy, and the artistic excel
lence embraced in the large corps, enable the
to present constant variety of enter
In each department the highest order
Of talent is engaged. The negro minstrelsy, the
ballet or the pantomime Of the Academy have
never been surpassed in New Orleans matinee |
will be given to-day for ladies and children, as
Usual. f. qg |
The OLYMPIo.--.s Ely s0iConnor = is still an
lonnced at this house. That it maintains itself SO
ong before the public, proves how much lies in
he power of really good artists. '