The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-02-09
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foes that was right. have refrained FROM
all severe ami arbitrary measures, orrecourse
to mere force, appealing, on MI occasions
and in all localities, 10 the justice and dis
cretioa of the people themselves. Under
all circumstances, however, have iheld my
self in readiness to employ all the resources
at my command, both civil and military, to
enforce the laws, preserve srder, and pro-
tect every citizen in his rights, SO far as the
authority of the executive could be lawfully
used. The good results of this spirit Of
harmony Oh all sides, upon the prosperity
OF the State, connot he estimated
1t has been my pleasant fortune, during
the past season, to visit great portion of
our State, in answer to repeated and cor
dial invitations from many of MY fellow-citi-
zens, which were extended to me by gentle
men OF all political parties. had been ledte Z
believe, from the assurance of many promi-
nent citizens, that would find the leading,
most influential and enterprising peOple Of
and more advanced ideas than those petty
partisan animosities and sectional hates and
prejudices, which, swaying the breasts of u
small class of men, more noisy than impor-
tant, had hitherto caused much Of the do
mest;c trouble of our State, and brought
Disgrace upon its name; and that the good
people of the State hal taken its peace and
order into their own hands, rs was proper,
and that the power of these bad and restless
spirits was gone. I am glad to say that
these assurances have been realized. haxe
everywhere been received with that wonted
cordiality and hospitality for which Louisa
anians are 80 deserYedly famed What is
more important, everywhere saw evidences
that the people we're determined. to ses
t.ut the laws were obeyed, and the rights of
all men, under the law, respected. was
met with assurances from all parties, that
in every effort to advance the welfare, cred
it and the great interests of the State,
should receive the hearty support of the
people. -. r..,- t..t..
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
The last General Assembly proposed four
important amendments to our Constitution,
which were duly ratified by the votes of the
people at the last election. The first amend
nent repeals the ninety-ninth article Of the
constitution. This article, by reason of its
Acknowledgement Of an influential class of
our citizens, for political reasons, was OBJ
noxious to them and their friends, as the re-
suit has proved, was distasteful to almost
all Incorporated in our constitution by an
peculiar phraseology, serving mainly to
lrritate and humiliate, while debarring
from suffrage and Office only the most
scr,lpulous and upright of the class it
was aimed against, and admitting all
others. it had all the most odious features
Of Acknowledgement, with none Of its
good effects, if such there be. It is to
the lasting credit Of the first Republican
administration of Louisiana, that the
amendment to strike out this last vcstige
of the war, in our constitution, was
passed with the unanimous Republican
vote of the General Assembly, and in
dorsed unanimously by the people. 1t is
no longer a part b the constitution.
Henceforth, in Louisiana all disabilities
resulting from the war are removed, and
no citizen is disfranchised by its laws.
except for crime or mental disability. .
The second amendment limits the
total amount of State indebtedness that
can be contracted up to the year 1890 to
the sum of $25,OOO,OOO. All indebted
ness, of whatever character, contracted
above the amount, before thnt time, is
illegal and null and void. This voluntary
limitation by the people Of the amount
of Indebtedness which they will incur,
for term of years, will have the double
effect Of increasing the credit Of the
State securities. thus lessening the in
terest Of the State win have to pay on
any future loans, and Of compelling rigid
economy on the part Of the State govern
ment.
The third amendment prohibits all
officials who have held public moneys
from voting or holding Office, until they
shall have procured from the proper
authorities receipts in full for all funds
which they have thus held. The former
history of the State, with regard to many
Of its public funds is sufficient proof
of the wholesomeness of this measure.
1t is to be hoped that it will lead'to
moro stringent accountability by public
officers for s,ch tr11s.s lt.f