New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-22
THE LEGISLATURE,

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healthy animal life, and even man himself
must needs take exercise if he would re-
tain that elasticity and vigor which are the
results of motion. This principle per-
meates all the departments of life and
nature and is as clearly visible in the rise
and fall of states as it is in the glow of
health upon the burly laborer's face, or in
the silence Of bird that has been shared
from the hawthorn hedge and made song
less by confinement in gilded cage.
The political world is purified by storms,
for the people have won all their victories
by constantly upheaving against the re-
straints that craft and cunning have i'm
posed upon them in their hours of weak
ness and confidence Events that seemed
portentous only of evil and disorder have
been converted into blessings, and dis
turbances that threatened anarchy and
confusion, by capable management, have
been made the authors of regeneration
and security.
When the present session Of the Legis-
lature opened in January, the political sit
uation was overcast with gloomy anticipa-
tons of reaction and disaster. The ele-
ments had been so much at rest that they
had bred disorders that were unhealthy,
and it was apprehended that the occasion
Of this distemper, and the necessity for its
speedy cure, would be taken advantage of
by incompetent men to doctor the commu-
nifty into a worse condition than it was.
This fear was not without foundation. The
attempt to remedy the weakness of the
body polite was essayed by the very par
ties who had precipitated the debility and
were, therefore, the least fitted to prescribe
for recovery from the public distress that
was confessed by all Fortunately they
failed, first, because the patient rejected
them, and, secondly, because there were
skiliful attendants present who advised
against their prescriptions and resisted
their attempt to force their remedies upon
the State. After a struggle of weary days
the victory was won in favor of healthy
suggestions and the present state of calm
and confidence is the happy result.
The Legislature is now very different
body from that which the public foreboded
it would be. Both of its parts are work
ing in pleasant accord, and their record so
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be ashamed to present to their constitu-
ents The storm through which the gov
eminent passed, purified it of the improper
influences that had operated to disparage
and demoraiize its elements, and instead
of calendar full of Ubiquitous measures
by the lobby and facilitated by
suggestions, the journals show
a steady adherence on the part of the Sen
ators and Representatives to the consider
alton Of laws designed TO promote the
of the people and the welfare of
the public at large,
To those members who stood fast at
their posts while the storm Numbered and
threatened them with overthrow and
destruction. too much praise can not be
awarded; and to the gentlemen who re-
covered from their unaccountable way
Hardness and returned to help, by practi-
cal and legitimate efforts, in the work of
reform, We are free to extend all the praise
hat their labors deserve. The Senate has
discovered in Lieutenant Governor Pinch
back presiding officer ready and willing
o do his entire duty to every member, and
n favor of every correct measure sug-
sested by his associates, while Speaker
Brewster has given such universal satisfac-
ion that even his enemies confess that his
sudden elevation was one of those rare
ortunes which are developed as often by
.ccident as by design in great emergencies.
The people Of the State may rest salts
led that the present session Of the Legis-
allure has not done aught to their injury
20 far, and that it promises to effect much
or their good during the remaining days
# its existence. All the necessary meas
Tres of reform will be enacted into laws.
All the Objectionable schemes that were
originated to be struggled through in the |
interests of spectators will be defeated by |
he members who have SO manfully re- !
listed the offers and demonstrations of the |
1bby. None but the most violent oppo- |
ents of the Republican party will have
ause to complain when the Legislature
as finished its work, for while the cleo
on and registration laws will be modified
ley will still be maintained with those !
satures in them which will secure fair
nd free ballot-box to every man
l the State disposed to exercise his cleo
,ral franchise. in other matters pro-
Ision will be made to secure greater
,onomy in every department Of the public
srvice, without at all impairing the eff
ency of the officers of the State in the
ischarge of their duties. More than this
ould not be asked, and more than this we
not desire to promise. The people
no desire a free control of their own
Hairs can only obtain their ends by toler-
ing the same freedom in their fellow
tizens who have opposite opinions to
lose which they entertain. Opinion will
2 left free, argument of the widest lati-
Ide will be invited, and the result will be
# to those who make out the best case
fore the tribunal that is the last resort
American nnlitics The resrlt will ho |