New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-10
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, THURSDAY FEBRUARY TO- 1876

sembled in council, representing the views
and interests of the people Of the several
localities composing . common whole, enter
into solemn compact or agree upon q
fundamental principle embodying the
greatest possible amount of good, agree
able to the views and interests of the
whole. The agreement entered into by
the representatives Of the whole people,
for the purpose Of certainty, and
signed by them in the name of the SOW
ereign who commissioned them to act, and
promulgated that none may be deceived,
and nothing remain secret that has been
agreed upon in convention. And to pre-
vent unwarranted violation of this contract
entered into by and between the people, it
is provided how it shall be amended and
made 80 meet the wants of progress and ex-
perience. This covenant also specifies how
it ehall be carried out, and the obligations
of the people under it enforced. When
framed or put in permanent form, this COW
enant or agreement is called constitution.
or fundamental rule of government, bind
ing on all who have been proper parties
thereto, and throwing it's mantle of protec.
ton over all who, in the spirit Of good will
become soldiers of its cause. but holding
out the sword of just retrlbutiOn to all who
would Illustrate its legitimate purpose or
violate it's barriers, erected for the common
good.
This written constitutional form of gov
eminent, entered into by the representa-
tives of the people, in their official capacity,
and by the people themselves ratified and
confirmed, becomes the supreme civil and
municipal law for the government of their
material concerns, until otherwise ordered,
in accordance with the provisions therein
named. Every citizen is bound by 1t, and
he who seeks by violence to annul it, or
prevent its operation, is q traitor to his fell
bowman, and an enemy to society. This
fundamental or supreme law, adopted and
ratified by the people, it next remains to
carry out and provide for its practical exc
cutiOn or administration. The people, as q
whole, can not do this, therefore, they COM
mission officers or men from among them
selves to do it for them, promising them
proper reward and remuneration for faith
ful service, while in the government or
common employ, and condign and swift
punishment for all dereliction of duty, or
yiolstion of law. The citizen also promises
the officer whom he commissions IN his name
to execute the law and administer hls gov
eminent, for the protection OF life, liberty,
property and the pursuit OF happiness to
give him his moral, and, if necessary. his
phsical support in the enforcement OF order
and law, for the protection of life. liberty,
property and the pursuit of happiness, for
these are the objects of the covenant, and
the cause of his obligation to the community.
And when he tails to do this ne violates his
agreement, embodied in the constitution
and laws, and becomes source OF uneasl-
ness and distrust to his neighbor; and an
encourager Of RIGHTEOUSNESS and disobedi'
ence among the people, which soon gene
rates into peculatiOn and corruption in
Office, which causes enforcement OF law
or the rules of government, and general
desire to avoid responsibilities, which in
wolves the dethronement of justice and the
consequent dissolution OF the forms OF civil
lized and Christian society.
Every American citizen is sovereign in
thie. that he has voice in the making of
his government; in the enactment Of law
and the enforcement of the same through
designated tribunals of justice erected by
right and reason. He ID also prince,
in this, that he is his own master, in the
full ENJOYMENT of liberty, except in 80 far
az he has in his sovereign capacity restrict
ed or limited himself for the good OF the
whole and the better protection Of that
sovereign, he has q right to command that
his laws and rules Of government be en-
forced, and to see that all offenders against
his peace and dignity be impartially and
speedily dealt with. As sovereign hold
ing the reins of government, but limited by
his own agreement with his tellow-man, ne
should see to it that none but the most COM
petent and Trustworthy be commissioned
with his authority. As . prince in full pos
session of his rights and liberties, powerful
and lust, he should see that the compact he
has entered into for the benefit Of society
il not violated with impunity, for fear that
his life liberty, property and happiness
NAV be endangered or affected thereby. He
should pursue, yes, even unto the death. If
necessary, every viOlaror OF the sacred
trusts of government and the society to
which he has oblig lated himself to support,
defend and protect. This for his own inter
eat and good. as we'll as for the honor Of his
manhood and his country.
The sovereign, the citizen should ever be
on the watch in regard to the conduct
and ability of his officer. and mete out to
him summary and just punishment for every
neglect of duty and apparent incompetency::
He should also hold out q prOper reward
| for capability. patriotism and eelity. He
should stand on the rugged platform OF
simple but stern justice. COwardice. dis.
honesty and incompetency in office should
be dealt with in the most expeditions and
sge), honesty and competency inoothce, sup
norted by the moral example of the people,
| ia the sure safeguard Of our republic.
| Imagine a man in office, the duties of which
he assumed of his own free will, and under
| a solemn oath, saying: I'm afraid to en-
| force the law; I would only create enemies
| tor myself: l would endanger my life and
profit nothing" How despicable, how
| treacherous to the people and his God.
Why. there are no words in our language
| sufficiently severe to express our contempt
| for such q man.
What are the laws made for Certainly
| not to remain imperative on the sta-ute
| book: and if such is the case why pay men
| to execute them Why burden ourselves
| with debt simply to feed men IN ldleness
and fee them for their individual opinion
| and the exercise of their likes and dlsilkes
| What is the officer 1Or-tO do or not to do
the will of the people expressed in law
| The man who, in his cOwardice or vanity
| dishonesty or incOmpetency, sets himself
above the law, should be hurled from power
| and place. through the severest rule OF JUS
tice and prohibited from ever again hold
| ing q place Of trust in our government
| What are the laws made for! To protec,
us in our Just rights and happiness. to pun
ish violators Of and offenders against the
| same. How dare q man aspire to an ofhce
| the duties of which he has not the cOuraye
to perform
Such action is moral treason to society
How dare man assume the obligations OF
| an oath of office and then set his own inter
est and feelings above the plain lette. O
the law! Such an act is perjury, and de
serves all it's pains and penalties. If suef
men are not punished it is the fault of the
people, and the source OF all their com
plants and grievances. The citizen and
the officer, the sovereign and the subject
take advantage of broken obligations, ont
at the sacrifice of his honor and office, ant
the other his sovereignty and manhood
| And Tins hecause of cOWardice, persona
gain or prejudice, they store up where tn
rot and moth consumeth, and jeopardize tn
common good. -
| Z. l. ,,aeloas for the nA0nla TO aaY we hav