New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-07-16
ooNsrITUr1oYAL AMEHDMENrs.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Our contemporary Of the Picayuneadvc
Gates the call of convention for the tota
reconstruction of our State constitution
This affords us a proper opportunity K
express an opinion upon the general prin
ciple of constitutional reform, and thu
special application to whatever of chang
may become necessary in Louisiana. 4
constitution is mode of legislation differ
ing in nothing from any other law excep
that it is solemn agreement by ant
among the individual citizens of polit
ical community; that no legislation shall
during the existence of that agreement
do, o. omit to do, certain things specified
in the agreement Whenever the indi
vidual citizens resort again to the same
mode of signifying their will, it is done by
repeating the agreement, or such part Of
it as no longer meets their approval.
The constitution Of England has been
formed by parliamentary legislation.
The doctrines Of government as tested
by use or established by popular revolu-
ton are embodied in the laws or in the
established system of administration.
The constitution of England becomes
thus an enactment of popular will, and a
permanent adjustment of all social re-
ligious, property and political relations Of
the English people. Prime Minister Dis
raeli recently said:
One of the most satisfactory features OF
the present time-one on which think we
can congratulate ourselves-is the trust
which the people of this country repose in
their political institutions, and the feeling
of affection even with which they view
them. If this were a mere sentiment of
loyalty it would not be one that should be
undervalued; but am mistaken if that be
its character. 1t is the result of the pOliti-
cal experience of the generation to which
we belong. They have seen such vicissi.
tudes of fortune in public affairs that they
have been able to come to great and preg-
Dant conclusions. Amid the change OF
dynasties and the fall Of empires they have
been taught to reflect on the causes which
give stability and strength to our society.
This English example is to a certain
extent useful in America. As we were
new people it became necessary to assume
at the beginning certain principles Of
government which our fathers deemed
proven by the experience Of the Old
World. Those principles were embodied
in our earliect constitutions, and the in
which modern society has
placed upon the integral equality of man
has been incorporated in all the constitu-
lions of q later date. The first amend
nents of the federal constitution have
principles without which the
instrument itself could not have existed.
They were indeed conditions upon which
he constitution was adopted. The SUBJ
,equent anne ndments have been added as
. fnality of disputed questions, and the
constitution is still open for such addi-
;ional enactments as may mark the pro-
yress or signalize the settlements Of the
ederal C constituency.
In adopting amendments to our consti-
ution, there fore, it is no longer neces-
AIRY to call a convention armed with the
,ower and charged with the duty of re-
Using the whole doctrine of the constitu-
ion. If a calamity of war, fire or tenn
,est should disable part of our custom
louise building, or experience prove that
he building was not adapted to any mod
m purposes to which it must be applied,
10 architect would counsel a disturbance
f its solid foundations. In like manner
be constitution of Louisiana may, and,
indeed, must, require alterations and ad-
itions to fit it for the government of the
tate; but there is no need of bringing
IS basis principles of human equality, re-
gious freedom and personal right within
be reconsideration of convention.
The Legislature of Louisiana has, here
ofore, submitted to the people several
to the constitution, which |
ave rendered that instrument more prac-
cally protective of those great principles
'hich are embodied in its text. The linn
alton of the State debt was measure of |
,finite value. The men employed solely |
/ guarding the inalienable rights of the
eople did not think of the abuses of pop
lar interests, and State debt mounting |
o to sixty millions must have impaired |
realty the value of the rights guaranteed
y the constitution The fundamental
w makers could not have foreseen the |
isasters which have befallen Louisiana,
ther from the act of God, or
le misconduct of her rulers. Hence |
has become necessary to protect
,e people from the consequences of an
lcessive debt and of oppressive taxation.
his has required the scaling or reduc-
on of the public debt to an amount
hich the representatives of the people
ink the people and property of the State
N meet. An advertisement in another
,lumn of our paper gives notice that the
eople will vote at the ensuing election to
amend the constitution as to confirm
10 contract made on their behalf with
Ie public creditor. Another vote will be
ken upon the limitation of the debt con-
actible on behalf Of the city of New Or
ans, and a third changing the constitu-
onal day Of general election. 1t is by
,ch gradual changes in the fundamental
W that the constitution of Louisiana
ay be made to keep abreast with the
rogress of the age. 1t is by such periodi-