New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-10-25
THE ArENDrENTs 10 THE CONSTITUTION

1 wv
ments to the constitution are correctly
printed upon their ballots at the next cleo
ton. Their ratification by the people is a
part of the Republican platform, and it is as
much the duty of all true Republicans to
he careful to vote in favor Of them all, as
| Il is to vote for James Graham for Auditor,
or Antoine Dubuclet for Treasurer. And
as we have not heard Of any man pro-
Tossing to belong to our party who does
not heartily indorse the nomination OF
both these staunch and faithful officers,
we hope none will be found unmindful
of their duty in regard to the proposed
| amendments. These are four in number,
and are published in full in another part
Of the REPUBLICAN, that all may see them
| and judge of their merits for themselves.
They have been recommended for adop-
ton by the Legislature, having received
for each a two-third affirmative vote in
that body Without referring to the
journals, we will state our recollection to
be that there was no opposition to three
of them by either party, and but little or
none to the other.
Since the adjournment the subject has
been considered by the Democratic State
Committee and all the articles approved
| except one-the proposed abrogation OF
article fifty, which, as the constitution
| now stands, renders the Governor ineligi-
BILE for office for the succeeding term.
There never was any sense or reason IN
this prohibition. 1t places such a re-
striction upon voters as to literally de-
prive them of freedom Of choice in elect
ing their Chief Magistrate. 1t is, more
over, wrong in principle, and defective in
practice. Any officer Of the State is a
public servant, who is employed by the
people to serve the State solely for the
public good. In making selections no
thought Of comforting benefit upon the
recipient should be permitted to influence
the voter. We select responsible agents
and skillful, faithful employees, in private
life for their fitness for the position; and
while it is sometimes customary to limit
the time the contract is to continue, no
man of sense ever binds himself not to re-
new it if both parties desire it. 1t should be
SO with the people. They should be free
to choose such men as they want to fill
the public offices, and the fact that a man
has been tried and approved, instead Of
being urged against him, should form
strong argument in favor Of his re-elec-
ton.
The opposition to this article comes
entirely from the Democracy, who think
by such a course to bar Governor War
moth from the executive chair at the
next election for Governor. We have
little respect for such narrow views of
politics but as most of the views Of the
opposition are of similar character, and
are usually sustained by the unterrifed
without much regard to right or wrong,
but simply because their leaders so order,
between the Democrats and Republicans
in the present canvass. We can not say,
at this time, who will be the Republican
candidate for Governor in 1872. The
Democratic committee evidently supposes
it will be Governor Warmoth, and wish
to take time by the forelock, in order to
defeat him easily, Possibly they think
that by the end of his first term he will
be so popular that there will be no chance
for candidate of their stripe. Fearing
to be unable to beat him in 1872, when he
shall have grown strong by the rectitude
of his personal and official conduct, the
Democracy want to try to do it in 1870,
before he becomes so formidable to them.
This is all there is in the argument
against the amendment.
Now, as q Republican and an American
citizen, we want the privilege Of voting
for whom we prefer for the Office of Gov
ernor or any other position. We do not
wish to restrict the people of this State
at any future time in matter where we
do not now wish to be restricted. If the
Democrats find man in 1872 strong
enough to defeat the Republican candi-
date for Governor (whoever he may be)
we are perfectly willing to accord them
the privilege of re-electing him in 1876,
if they can. For it is very clear that
man who administers the government of
this State for four years in such an &C
ceptable manner that the people desire to
reflect him. is the one of all others best
fitted for the place.
The Republicans will, of course, all
vote for the four amendments, and such
of the opposition as are not afraid Of the
popularity of Governor Warmoth will do
the same thing. Those who suppose the
offices of State have been created for
private use and emolument, and not for
the public good, will take care to vote for
prohibiting the reelection of any one to
any Office, hoping by this means to get a
place lof tAelusei'eS III ItSl, alIer every
body else has been made ineligible by
reason of having served one term. The
old, exploded idea of rotation in Office,
once clamored, for but seldom or never
practiced by the Democratic party, is not
adapted to a practical, efficient admins
tration of the government. For men do
not pass from the counting-room, the
workshop. the pillow handle professional