New Orleans Republican., 1868-01-04
LET NOTHING DBFBAr THE CONSTITUTION


ones to throw the least obstacles in the
way Of an immediate restoration to the
Union. 1t is supreme folly for any of these
high-minded and respectable gentlemen to
say that it is possible for this convention to
deprive them of any of their natural or ac-
quired rights. We can not conceal our con
tempt for men who rise up in their seats,
and say that the colored people, in pre-
senting united front in support Of what
they believe to be their rights, desire the
destruction of the rights of the white people.
None but born and bred demagogues will
advance such arguments. What ifthe lead
ers Of the colored members frequently dis
play want of taste and tact, and prolong
discussion upon non-essential principles
when they could obtain the essential prin-
eiples almost without debate. Can not these
educated gentlemen, who take pride in
their culture, their breeding, their self-dis-
cipline, and their great superiority in all
things, bear patiently with little that is
informal, irrelevant, and perhaps inju-
dicious from representatives whose con-
stituents are just ont of bondage? Laugh
ing and sneering, and aside talking, to say
the least, from these high minded and
respectable gentlemen is not the best way
TO prove their superiority in good breeding
and culture. No fair-minded man can sit
long in the convention without coming to
the conclusion that SO far as decorous and
respectful department is concerned the col
ored members exhibit the most of it. And
it is not because they are stupid and do not
know how to make trouble. It is because
they are serious and know that all they
have and all they expect to be in this
world is at stake; while strong suspicion
rests upon some of the white members, who
talk great deal, That they 40 not mean
what they say, but are only in the
convention for obstructive purposes, and to
defeat the constitution either in the con-
Ventioh or before the people. All this we
say in no spirit Of fault finding. We feel
that the colored members make mistakes
daily, and in confounding privileges with
rights, exasperste those who have sufficient
intelligence to recognize the distinction,
but not enough good temper or patience to
make it clear to others. We are satisfied
that the colored people want nothing but
their rights and are willing to work genera.
tons if necessary to obtain social priv
ileges,. which can be secured only by OBJ
serving the laws of taste, culture, and |
breeding. ColOred people are not the
only persons who are struggling to obtain
the privilege Of mingling in the society of |
those they foolishly suppose to be their
superiers. There are white flunkies all over
the world who crawl and cringe to men
simply because they are rich and are them
selves poor; because they are ignorant and |
others profess to be learned. All the con
in the world can not change this
of things. 1t is part of human
nature, and the mesnest part, and can be |
changed only through the growth of self |
respect. The man who respects himself |
soon commands respect from others, and be |
be white or black will in due time obtain
social recognition, and live down the most
Obdurate prejudice. But the man who |
claims social privilege as right will |
meet opposition at every point, and should
meeti it. A drnnkard and bully has no right |
to crowd himself into the society of tenn
perate and well-behaved people. They
may tolerate him if they see fit, or eject |
him from their midst in the most summary
manner possible. 1t is not the function of
government to define, protect, or regulate
social or domestic privileges. The broad,
natural, and acquired rights Of man, which
pertain to him as a human being, are alone |
its province. Why, therefore, can not the
educated men in the convention, who are
familiar with these principles, so present |
them that they shall have weight and
command respectful attention from those
who are unfamiliar with them? Suppose
the convention insists upon inserting
clauses in the constitution defining privile-
ges as well as rights? All the harm it will
do win be to make the constitution little
more dificpltto ratify. twill not give the
colored people a siRgle social privilege |
they could not command without it. But
do not, on account Of these Objectionable
clauses, fly into passion, threaten to leave
the convention, mount the stump, and labor
to defeat the ratification of the constitution.
The constitution defeated, no one will be
injured but the loyal people of the state.
The constitution ratified, legal as well as
rebel will be benefited, and will begin to
see the revival Of agricultural and CONNER
cial prosperity from the FIRST moment of its
adoption. We are prepared to stand by
and work zealously night aad day for any
constitution the convention may make.
We know It can make 20 laws that win
be stronger than Gods laws implanted in
human nature, fand therefore are not
alarmed at any puny attempts to overthrow
them. We want the natural rights Of the
cOlOred people protected; We want Louis
lana reconstructed; we want the state in |
the Union. This is al we want at present.
ANY constitution thaa win accomplish these
ends all loyal people ought 70 support.
Perhaps il will be wise to have something
in the constitution for demagogues to harp
upon. Statesmen in framing laws always
A.I~ -