New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-02-11
ASK MY CONSTITUENTS. y

/ ASK MY CONSTITUENTS
| We are glad to see true Republican
principle indicated in the call even of 6
party constitu ency to consider the con
duct Of their representatives in having
assented to the terms of compromise.
We consider this substantial rebuke to
the humane suggestions of capital execu-
ton offered by the mob around Clay
Statue.
General McEnery, in view Of the de-
lection of those followers who recognized
the paramount authority of their con-
stituents over that of their leaders, broke
his sword in indignant denunciation of
the "traitors." 1t has been since seen
that he is by DO means responsible for
what individual representatives may de-
eide to do. The call Of the Democratic
Club of the second ward to consider the
acts OF the repr esentatives Of that ward,
was an acknowledgment of the repub-
ican doctrine. It is said that lowing to
the inclemency Of the weather the attend
ance was small. = Itmay have been some
what attributable to the pending NIardi
Gras and somewhat to the effect that the
city Offices having been filed, there is no
longer the same pleasing uncertainty
among the Democracy as to whether each
holds lucky ticket or blank. There
was enough present to recognize the
primary obligation to the district voters
and not to the captains and their clamor-
Gus followers, many of whom have no
vote IT, New Orleans at all. We presume
that Mr.. Booth was accidentally present
and gave his reasons why he had opposed
the compromise, which may be satisfac-
tory to his constituents, but which had
no bearing on the responsibility of an
other member to another constituency.
MIR. Mitchell also, we believe, from
distant district, was called in to prescribe.
He likened the disease of the State unto
"a man with severe case of lumbago,"
caused by severe pressure on the loins |
BY the hand Of the federal government |
He was professionally Of opinion that a
hair Of the dog was good for the bite, and
hat further federal interfer ence alone
would be the remedy.
Hon. MIR. Hammond announced the
rue republican doctrine in saying:s
He was the representative of the people,
md as such he intended to give expression
Q their views without regard to his ind1-
'idual opinion.
Hon. Mr.. Hall took a somewhat more
nlarged view of his representative agency
n saying ''that he acted with view to
be welfare of his constituency and the
tate, meaning Of course the welfare of
be State in the opinion of his constit-
ents and not Of outside dictators. We
'ere pleased to see that harmonious rela-
ions had been restored between the Rep
and some indignant patriots
HON he had known for years, and ''who
u Saturday refused to speak to me for
~ action, saw their error and spoke to
he to-day, one Of them even coming
cross the street to do So
The final triumph of the doctrine that
representative is not responsible to his
arty leaders for the propriety of his vote
found in this statement:
1t was deemed improper, owing to the
nallness of the number present, to pass
~ resolution OF instructions, but resolu-
on expressive OF the confidence of the
ub in the integrity and ability Of the rep
'sentatives of the ward was adopted. Il
So the constituents may instruct their 7
representatives., and such instruction is
e sufficient warrant to protect the as
mblyman from the lamp post before the =
rival of his constituents. This extri-
.tion of an assemblyman from mob by
e habeas corpus Of constituent response "
lily is one Of the grandest discoveries in
'litical rights since Magma Charta.
MS much has been gained by the people e
their conflict with the club leaders. L
e are now confident that if any repre- L
NATIVE will take care to have upon his 9:
rson some instruction by way of safe G
nduct he may Nth some IMMUNITY, and
federal guard, represent the wishes of n
e voters who elected him without going
the Committee Of Seventy for instruc- Il