The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-25
THE COUNTRY PRESS.
IT'S VIEWS CONCERNING QUE LATE
LEGISLATURE
claiborne duardian.l

claiborne 0uardian.l
Whether they be right or wrong in their
opinions, one thing at present seems to be
certain, that the people are dissatisfied with
the work and the results Of the Fifth Legisla-
ture. So great is the dissatisfaction that
nothing short OF a change almost sweeping
will satisfy. It is true there are single ihdi-
yiduals who may be returned by their con-
stituents, but the personnel OF the legislative
body WILL Il vs mistake bse e Ro5 % K[ea navy
be true, as Senator White says, the flith Gen
eral Assembly has accomplished much 10 the
way OF reform, yet even the :aoss ORDINARY
intellect will wonder why more was not
accomD lssned when they see how much time
was taken up with mighty endeavors to
There must be no division In our ranks.
There is no need for censure OF the State adj
ministration. II the Legislature is response
BILE for the troublesome state In which we find
%e there IS to be any dssenson IN
ranks let it be healed by the nominating con-
ventions.
We cannot afford to go through the cam,
pafgn with administration Democrats and
vention Democrats and Democrats opposed
to q convention. With such divisions as these
we think 1t easy for that Large and trouble
some minority OF Republicans. that did 50
much to retard Legislation, to DO still w more
ever be the issues that now divide and agltate
the Democracy, let them be settled In some
way, and let us go into the campa gn united
upon one vital point-to hold on to the vic
tory gained two years ago, and to choose
such men as will improve that victory to the
further advantage OF the whole people.
sparta Rural Timesl
Suppose this entire people were justly In
dignant at the action of mistrusted represent.
atives; maddened at the lack OF positive needed
measures or enraged at the obnoxious amend
ments, II you please, what good then abides
the issuance OF Democratic newspapers pro-
claiming as consequent split in the Demo
cratic party?
Profane tradition may hand down the ques-
good Intentions as intimated by our con-
frere; but such delicate lampooning by no
means induces or intensities the conviction
that there is such a split. Whatever inten-
ton or motive may be imputed to the LeglS-
lature, or whatever else may be said OF their
action, there is no reason In this connection
whatever for accepting the declaration that
the Democratic party is split.
should have been called and was not; if it
were reasonably shown that the amendments
emanated from the cesspoOls of compromise
from O. lack Of aggressive Democracy and
patriotism, does 1t follow that there is split
In the Democratic party? Indeed, If it to-day
were universally admitted that our members
were traitors, that they made merchandise of
official capacity, that they bargained and sold
their Saviour party to the Radicals for
money, what in ali this would justify the be-
lief that there is split in the Democratic
party? Would not such deplorable condition
of affairs the more unity an outraged citizen
ship, and deeply inspire them to march solid
ly to an honest, competent and just admins
tration?
In a trade against Legislators their vindica-
ton should not pass UNDECIDED. Their pub
lished defensive argument should be met
with reason, If reason be at control. And II
off on other tangents than those calculated
to do evil among the voters Do not teach
the people that their party is split, because
you perchance believe the Legislature guilty
of SINS both OF commission and omission.
ability to throw off the oppression Of Radical
ism-by such startling and ill-founded doc
trine as split In their own ranks.
lRichland Beacon.l
We have INDUCED in some very severe crit.
icisms on the actions of our Legislature, and
we think very justly, too; but we cannot en-
dorse the wholesale condemnation and abuse
which many people seem disposed to heap
upon the members OF that body indiscrimi-
nately. We are aware of the fact that, as a
legislative b9d Ghas ad many s y things aey
things that they ought to have done;" that is,
according to our opinion-but we acknowl-
edge that our opinion may not be a correct
one. But to assert that they did nothing they
ought to have done and about all they ought
not to have done, is, we think, going beyond
the point allowed by truthful statement OF
facts, for they did do good many things fol
the public good. 1t may be possible that we
all expected too much OF them under the cir
cumstances, for there Is nothing more certain
than that it was matter OF impossibility for
them to perform complete work OF reform
within the time they were in session. 1t Is
true that many useless bills occupied a large
portion of their time, but only those who in
BILE for this waste OF time
We do not wish to either apologize to or
defend the Legislature, but We do desire to
arrest tendency to run into an extreme in
condemning it; for we have heard good men
say that it was even worse than the Radical
legislatures. Those who make use OF such
expressions are either laboring under undue
excitement or have been misinformed, be-
cause the real truth is, 1T has been a wonder.
full improvement on its Radical predecessors:
! Our remarks have heretofore been intended
: as the remonstrance and chidings OF friend
and not as the assault OF foe. We WERE
mortified that we had been disappointed II
our expectations; feel SO still, and can bu
give expression to our feelings; but we are no
ready for this reason to abandon the part!
and help to defeat it, because that, to use ,
homely saw, would be swapping the deyi
9r aps lan tSs Ps sns pam
We believe that we at least have majorit!
of honest men in all the departments OF gu
State government, and even II mistakes hav
been made, we are not being robbed daily a
formerly. We believe that things have beer
done that will weaken the party, unless con
fidence in 1t Is speedily restored; but we ar
not prepared to abandon the party becaus
these mistakes have been made in the selec
propose to stick to it and work for the tri
umph Of its principles as long as there is
hope Of success.
The Work Yet to be Done.
[Cincinnai Enauirer.]
WASHINGTON, April 20.-Besides the bills o
the private calendar, there are fifty-six bill
on the public calendar of the House, most G
which will, OF course, have to be abandone
for the present session, If it shall determine t
adjourn In June. Among these will be all tn
4hn RnnEincs Cl1rrannr and Pacific Railrna