Richland beacon., 1878-06-29
For the Beacon.
The Convention Question"

ouCus .vih JsDlIVH. - t,"tt VI
TO an article tn the Vicksburg Herald Of june
lith, over the signature Of w. W. Farmer
and J. B. Hol.,ead. As these letters Of Capt
Farmer and Mr.. Holstead were intended to
be good reading" for the incorrigible conven.
ton men OF North Louisiana, and in consid.
Grafton Of the fact that "sll the papers" in the
parishes "where The Herald circula,es are
convention men, and do not publish articles
in opposition to it," (Noswiihsta nding; Mr..
Editor, your solicitation under recent date for
articles upon topics Of public in,eres,). have
thought il not aniss TO give the Captains let.
ter m airing with your pern:ission) in the
columns OF tho BEACON. 1t is short and
sweet"
(a) "The question now at issue before
the people Of North: Louisiana is: Shall a
Constitutional Convention be called by the
next legislature to frame . new Constitution
for Louisianss"
Q0 THE newspapers in oil the parishes
where the Herald chiefly c:rculates are in
favor of the convention and do not publish
articles in opposition TO il. enclose herein
. communication to the Vienna Sentinel in
opposition to . convention, written by J. b.
Holsiesd, formerly editor OF that Paper."
(c) at is and able and interesting letter
and worthy Of republication
(D The Sentinel circnlates principally
west of that river; the Herald circula,es prin.
cipally eas, Of that river"
(e) 81 ask YOU therefore to give the anti
conventionis,s tte use Of your columns for the
discussion OF this subject. Please publish
Mr.. Holstead's letter in full in your Journal"
<s) Why docs Capt Farmer say North
Louisiana? Many (,he writer with the res,)
had thought that this was q n question in
which the whole State felt a deep interest
May not the expression North Louisiana afford
a key, which, il properly used, might unlock
the secret recesscs Of this anti-convention
movement? ! must be compelled to say the
inference is that in South Louisiana, for in.
stance, the battle has been fought aud lost or
won. If won, it mus, have been accomplished
last winter with the legislature.
(b) What do you say to this charge, Mr..
Beacon. guilty OF not guilty. Die you really
reject articles from Anti Convention men,
Shame upon you to persecu,e the poor fellows
20 cruelty! and thereby make martyrs Of
them. I'VE have never refused, but invited
correspondence.-Ed
(c) "Bus," says Mr.. Holstesd, speaking Of
the constitutions! amendments, "if they are
oil weighed ir tho balances ard found want
ing. then let them pass; and our only hope
TO remedy the defects in our supreme law
will rest in . Constitutional Convention"
agree with the gentleman in the above seu'i>
ment., and the write. would maintain the po-
.iton that these amendments are not what
the people desire; and until some member of
the anti convention movement does shor
easse why the people shoald not hold con.
veniion to frame new and perfect constitu-
ton; one adapted 70 the best interests Of the
people u large, we shall be compelled to hold
these &stxrbers Of party harmony responsible
for any disastrous results which may occur in
the nnks Of the democratic party. From
every indication on the political horizon Of
the entire State, (ou'side Of an influence ex
erted hy monopolies Of New Orleans) II
points 70 IN nnmismkable fact-thet TIE PeoPt:
do not desire patchwork constitution, but on
the c0nsnry, ninesenths proclaim \ need Tor
an entirely new and perfect constitution. u
then, this be act, what right hss any one 70
place an obstacle in their way? II the pso-
pie ere perfectly willing 10 defray the ex'
penses Of convention. who has . right to
forbid them? ], is evidently their mstter,
and no ones consent but their own, s neres-
ssry-and oil tho unsolicited advice OF wise'
acres are 4sweesnesses wasted uI'on the desert
air" The people are learning 70 observe that
when the power which has been in the
asce tendency in the ,vo last legislatures wish
70 defeat me.suse. especially, Is IL be Sos the
Interests Of the ,illers Of Tho soil, they 1t once
raise the hue and cry Of "1esrenchment! i'm
mediately befose or afterwards, pass bills aP'
Psorsissinx millioos Of dollars tor railroads,
ct ID o.sese Dos hesi,Anug tos 4 moment 70
ensct LAWS ,ax,nS real estate at twos'hirds