The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-01-26
SUFFRAGE IN LOUISIANA.

Senate submitting TO the people vi
Louisiana at the next election the
question of repeating the odious
goth Article of the State Constitu-
ton. 1t passed unanimously.
The article IN question is the one
embracing the qualifications for
voting and holding office. 1t will
be remembered that the Conven-
ton exercised it's ingenuity in de-
vising the means of perpetuating
the power of the Republican party
indefinitely by prescribing a large
number of the citizens of the State.
In this respect the Constitution of
Louisiana is more proscriptive than
any of those formed under Radical
manipulation for the government
of the Southern States. The goth
article is a disgrace to the State
and is beginning to be so consider
ed by the most intelligent of the
Republicans themselves. Its
speedy repeal is a foregone conclu-
sion.
Governor Warmoth had it in his
power at the beginning of the ses-
sion to wipe out much Of the odlum
which attaches to his name by de-
claring himself in his annual mes
sage in favor of universal suffrage
and universal amnesty. Governor
Senter, of Tennessee, who like
himself is young and ambitious, set
this example of liberality which
has been followed by many of the
ablest Republicans at the South
Gov. Clayton, Of Arkansas, stands
on the same platform, and so does
Gen. Hamilton, of Texas, who was
elected Governor but cheated out
of his seat by the frauds OF the
military authorities. Even the
Governor Of Missouri has recon
mended the REIMBURSEMENT Of the
thousands of Southern men who are
deprived of the right Of suffrage.
The Republican party has discov-
FOL hn 10 NV
wholesale prescription, and finds
itself unable to sustain itself
against the increasing liberality of
spirit among its members. The
ablest Republican leaders at the
North, out of Congress, are urging
its abandonment, and are really
anxious that Congress should pass
general bill relieving the disa-
bilities Of all those who are denied
the right to vote or hold office I'M
der the 18th amendment.
We say, then, that Gov. War
moth made mistake in not taking
time by the fore.lock. Bnt he was
afraid of his party. He considered
a proper settlement of his contro-
versy with Wickliffe Of more i'm
portance to Warmoth and the Rad
ical party, than any act that would
benefit the people Of a whole State,
Such an act would have rallied to
his support strong party of Con-
servatives, and would have left
Wickliffe supported by the ultra
Radicals alone. AS it is the Gov
ernor has no party, and the mass
of the people have no sympathy
with either of the combatants in
their personal difficulty.
10 1t was stated in debate in the
Legislature few days since that
State warrants had fallen to forty
five cents on the dollar. This is a
fall of about thirty cents since the
Legislature met. The reason is
plain enough. The Legislature has
been accustomed to make the most
wasteiul expenditures Of the pub
lie money for the purpose of. re
warding each member of the Radi
cal party, so that no money deale:
will have anything to do with Stat'
warrants as long as the Legislature
is in session. And, yet, notwith
standing the low ebb to which tn
credit of the State has fallen, tn
4 Radical Legislature continues t,
make it's extravagant appropria
tons as before. The members O
the Radical party seem to be S,
well convinced that the Radica
hold on the Treasury will last onl,
during this administration tina
they wish to make all they cal
while it lasts. The credit of th
State is small matter when com
pared to the enriching of the Radi
calsout of the public crib.
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m Never forsake q friend
Wba,1 anemies Gather around. Whe,