The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-01-24
A CONVENTION

The political status Of Louisiana OF this
time is very anomalous. Political geeao
gisss. who speculate on the condition o.
imam antecedent TO agegular social lorna
ton, and theorists, who picture his condi
ton consequent on 8 total disruption O
society, viii find in this charming type q
an orthodox chaos, where
"Hot and cold wet and dry
Contend for mastery"
matter to substantiate any views they may
entertain.
That we were once State our memory
assures US. That ne are not one now oul
ewes convince us. We seem to exist in Q
mermaid semi-territorial and seai-State
condition. Upwards, in the memories o.
the past, the gallant deeds of her sons ant
the chiyilrc tone other society, Leuisiana
lis the queen of yore. Netherwards, she
founders in filthy pool Of military domin'
alton and civil misrule. If we are going to
beg to get back into the Union the peti.
ton at this present speaking stands. in
feeble form. If we are going to wat 10 a
identified manner to be asked in, our itch.
inc soicitude about the invitation smells
|
wonderfully of the shabby genteeL
What the Legislature has done to relieve
us from our lunenviable situation we do moi
see. 1t opened with stormy outburst
against the Constitution of 1864 and much
fine talk about wiping out that odious in in.
strument; became more calm on the intro.
duetion of bill for defraying its own ex
penses, and ended its session in high
game Of cat and dog with the Governor
and his man Friday. From such a politi.
cal empiric as the Governor we never ex'
pected anything and those who did, have
added to their experience another example
of the vanity Of human hopes.
There is but one way to unite this gor
dian knot aad that is to cut it. We must
have q Convention. At the opening ofthe
Session of the Legislature the Situation
was delicate one. Every member, who
had a soul as big as o pea, and over whom
a perverse blindness had not come, saw
that the Constitution Of 1864, formed un
der such auspices and by such men as il
was was flaming disgrace to the State
The question was, how to adopt certain
measures absolutely and Immediately neces
sary for continuing the Government, aid O
charitable and educational institutions, re
storation Of lerees, establishment Of labor
gstem &c, without in SO doing giving
measure of validity to this Constitution =
t.would have been wrong by adjournine
without transaeting any business to have
tleft the State in her helpless condition and
7 vet the transaction of2business seemed tc
be a virtual and authoritative acknowledge
ment of the Constitution of ga as the Law
Of the State. In attempting to avoid these
| two di1aeaities the Legislature has fallen
I foul Of beth. BY their continued Session
they recognized the Constitution of ga
and yet they have not adopted any finan--
ciai-measure for the relief of the State
| We are astonished that the idea did no
occur to that body to call Convention
and Immediately thereafter to pass meas
urcs for the relief ofthe State, under |
protest addressed to the members Of thu
Convention to be assembled, setting fortl
the situation which made Legislation ne
Ecessary and their unwilliugness that thei
action should be construed as an acknowl
edgement Of the Constitution 81. -
i The question Of q Convention is to il
not,one ofpolicy nor one for the advance
ment Of material interests; though W
think both of these demand it, It is
question of honor and State pride: Al
though the present Constitution should b
adopted verbatim, and we haveto pawn tn
ornaments Of the Capitol to raise tn
money for holding Convention, We advo
cate the measure. We are convinced tina
all who feel an interest in maintaining tn
Honor of the State concur with US in thi
view Of the matter. Many true sons Q
Louisiana and loyal to her glory, have ha
their eyes turned away from a correct vie1
of the case by the complications into whic
state politics have run; but fortunately fo
the fair name of the State, the only thin
which can at present relieve us from tn
embarrassment of these complications
the very thing which can wipe from OF
escutcheon that which now blots itso foul.
Though we are poor, let us maintain prt
lper pride. This isall we have left US !
which we may hope to. be entitled to th
respect of Others, and, what is more, to r,
tain our self-respect. Rest assured thai
while our conduct in these matters
marked with becoming dignity and prid'
we will need nothing to bolster usup in til