The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-09-07

TooHTrNuKD from FIRST fAoL.l
v;czad LEGISLATION. and utterly lacking il
everv element to inspire popular connoenc
and The reverence and affection of the people
1--WE have met to-day, not indeed 10 70
claim the scattered fragments and repuno tn
old tample. but to construct cons'l1uuo.
not wholly unworthy. We trust to succeed
The truest craftsmanship is that whicn 3
penaralizes principles as to give them Hexlbl
sdaptability to the progress and needs q
civilization. Let us endeavor to give to on
proceedings this characteristic of wisdom
Let the organic law we are to frame be com
prehensive, consistent enlightened and non
partisan; alike just to all classes, protectiv
of all interests, and equal in its burdens a
in its benefits.
s.The events of the last decade have elimi
rated from our institutions the only elemen
of national controversy. Let US recognize
this fact with broad significance and IN
corporate into the constitution the natlona
spirit and the national laws of the perfec
political and civil equality OF all men OF what
ever race, color or previous condition. lie
publican institutions rest upon the common
Intelligence OF the people, therefore one o.
the high duties of republican government is
the education of the masses, for there can be
no progress without education, as there is no
can eminent statesman has said The
power to tax is the power to destroy Gov
ernments should provide against possibilities,
as possibilities often become facts. Limit,
therefore, the legislative power of taxation.
So impose this limitation as to shield from
suspicion the honor and credit of the State.
The spirit of the age is licentious and ex-
travagant.
"The old economics have become disrepu-
table by digquietude. Individual character
istics have been made the habits of govern
ment, and the government has degenerated
into mere fundamentally for the advance
ment of personal ambitions and the promo
ton OF personal aims in a way that would
have shocked the primitive simplicities of the
men who conceived and illustrated in their
lives the great problem of free government on
this continent.
Gas far as we may, in due Difference to cir
cumstances, let US limit the duties of govern
ment to the ends of government, which may
be summed in the general phrase-!he full
protection of the rights of person and pre-
perty-the simplest government is the best.
The complications of a multiform machinery,
however suitable to the development of the
special sciences, only aggravate the burdens
which more or less attend every form of civil
administration.
abstract from the fundamental law every
useless fundamentally, so as to have as few
intermediates as possible between the gov
eminent and the people. We thus secure
both responsibility and economy. Abstinence
is q cardinal virtue and should be as potent
in the law of States as in the conduct Of indi-
viduals.
"fGovern as little as possible, and only by
general laws, is the rule of wisdom, sane
toned by experience. Determinations are
always invidious, and, therefore, always un-
just. The growth of interpretations is one of
the marvels of the age in which we live. Their
power, like that of King George, has increased,
is increasing aud ought to be diminished.
Great as they are, they are simply the repre-
sentatives of individual interests and are
never organized except to promote personal
ends.
1.-The dignity of government is all compro-
missed when its credit is surrendered, and its
honor committed to other custodians than its
own agents and servants. Constitutional pro-
hibiiions should protect the State against the
of legislative departure from
the principle Special limitations should be
placed upon counties, towns and other civil
and they should be restrained
from lending their credit to ventures or pri-
vate speculation, however plausible in theory
AID possibly profitable in results.
"Local legislation, though sometimes SEEM |
ingly exigent, should absolutely be forbidden. |
Its enactments are insidious its ends often |
Legitimate and sometimes demoraliZ ng and |
corrupt. The liberties of the people can only
be preserved through an incompatible judi
ciary. 1t is the Interpretation of the law by
he courts even more than the mere law itself
hat gives to legislation its character for wis
lom, or full independence.
Its action, except to just public criticism,
'hould be secured to the judges who admins
er the law by extended terms, thus removing
hem as far as possible from sudden explo-
ions of popular clamor on the one hand and
he temptations to seek popular favor by I'M
worthy means on the other.
"Gentlemen of the Convention, it is neither
ny province nor my purpose to do more than
uggest general principles for your consider
ton. leaving their value to be determined by
our higher and better Judgment.
"With q salubrious climate, a generous
nd productive soil, mineral wealth in bound
ess profusion, and water power of vast capa-
ilities, our State lacks nothing to make it
reat except good government, honest and
just. fair and frugal in the be-
towal of power; rigid in the exactions of
uty, and temperate, conservative and nation
| in all of its provisions.
"This great trust is confded to us. That
ur deliberations to this end may be har- 4
lonious, our labors successful and the final I
onsummation all that our people could !
ish, is the hope with which l accept the
nerous and responsible position you have
signed to me-"
rus r<t