The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-23
THE NEW ORLEANS DEMOCRAT SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 49, 1877
the salaries paid TO D portion OF the pub.
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lie officers.
The simple question Is whether it
would pay to have an early convention.
II there Is anything With which the
Industrious, quiet people Of Louisiana
are Disguised, it Is politics and political
agitation. They are satisfied with their
gallant and honest Governor who they
elected for term Of four years, and
they wish him TO serve out that period
After ten years Of bitter political strife
and constant annoyance, ill-feeling and
dissatisfaction, they want peace and
tranquility. A new convention necessi-
tates new election, to be followed by
another for the offices created by the
constitution, which will rekindle the
smouldering fires Of prejudice and spite
now dying out, interfere with the labors
Of the farmer interrupt trade and com
tneree. and perhaps give us another
constitution that will not improve mat
tiers much
Let us try the present under the direo-
tion OF honest officers for couple of
years, and learn from experience what
The real deficiencies are, and then, at
the end Of the terms OF the present State
officers, hold q convention, II deemed
expedient and wise, three years hence.
The idea Of new convention Is suited
to the objects Of politicians and seekers
after office 1t is repugnant to the mass
of men who desire to pursue their own
business In peace and quiet.
These are two prominent standpoihts
from which TO discuss this question.
Three years hence will be soon enough
for new convention.
Against n Constitutional Convention.
Union Record.l
Many Of the leading journals of the
State are advocating call for q consti-
tutional convention.
Our present constitution Is imperfect.
Objectionable, and In some respects OBJ
noxious. but the high taxes which have
been wrung from our people, the OPP
preston which has been heaped upon
them, and the shameful legislation
which disgraees our statutes, has sprung
not from defects In the constitution.
but from the ignorance. extravaganza
and corruption Of our officials.
The calling Of q constitutional con
vention at this time, from either a.
financial or political standpoint. seems
to us to be premature.
After eight years Of hard fighting we
have at last obtained the right Of self
government, but we have not had time
to revolutionize public sentiment, or by
our acts convince the negro that we are
his friend,
At the last election. when the State
was in q blaze OF excitement. when we
were striking for "liberty and life."
when every Democrat was aroused and
exerted all his influence, we were only
able to elect majority OF one to the
Legislature.
The strength of the two parties to-day
is unknown, and should we have con
vention at this time would we be able
to arouse the people? Would not many
Democrats neglect to vote? And is 1t
not possible when that convention as
sembled. majority of its members
would be Republicans? Ia that case
We would lose wtlHt we hHve struggled
SO long for. and made so many sacrifices
to gain,
The State would again be in the hands
Of the Radical party, and we know with
what tenaeity they hold to office and
power. and judging from their past acts.
we could not hope they would submit to
the people constitution that would be
acceptable.
II the Nichols government will but
pursue Q wise and e5noiliatory. course.
before the time of Its expiration the
Republican party will be disorganized.
and every Intelligent and honest col
ored man will have fallen into the ranks
of Democracy. We do not and cannot
doubt the fidelity OF the Nichols gov
eminent. The splendid victory won by
our representatives last winter Ia suf1i.
eient proof Of their fidelity, and emit
ties them to the respect and confidence
OF the people.
We have as able men in the Legisla-
ture of Louisiana az we could elect to q
constitutional convention.
Then is 1t not better to wait with pa
thence and let our representatives get
through what reform legislation they
con this winter. and submit the neees-
sary constitutional amendments to the
people. to be voted upon at the next
election.
Then let us not rashly hazard the prize
we have gained.