The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-08-03
Now is the Accepted Time.
On. O. Demnrrat.)


est the manifestations Of public opin-
ion IN this State on the question Of
calling 4 constitutional convention,
aud We have not heard any man OF
influence, or any paper OF cOnse
Quence, has taken any other position
than that there must be a constitn-
tional convention. We have not
heard of a man who has spoken or
written from the standpoint that the
present. constitution is disgrace to
the State and objectionable in multi
tude of respects. Our excellent friends
in Ouachita, who lead off on this ques.
ton by instructiny the delegates from
that parish to vote against committing
the Democratic party at Baton Rouge
toa constitutional convention, concede
that, sooner or later, We must have a
convention. The Democrats of As
sumption, who alone, 40 far, have fol.
lowed the lead Of Ouachita, broadly
admit the necessity of new consti
tntion after while, and we know Of
not newspaper in the State which
has bad the temerity to defend the
present bayonet edict, or to hold that
it should not be, in the course Of time,
entirely done away with and new
constitution, framed by the represent
atives of the people, substituted for it.
On this point there is a singular
uuanimity of public opinion, and
every section Of the State declares
that there must he new constitu-
tim. 1t ia needless, therefore, to ar
que this phase of the question "r to
waste time in pointing out the defects
of an instrument which all men uni
versally condemn.
A very serious difference of opinion,
however, has arisen as to the time
when We should take the necessary
measures to repndiate before the
whole world this obnoxious constitu-
ton and frame one in the interest Of
the people, based upon the principles
of free government.
The anti. conventionists hold that
we should wear the collar Of Radical
ism has hung about our necks until
1880; that We should yet tw" or three
Years suffer the extravaganza and
other evils entailed upon Us By the
bayonet edict If 1868. And why ?
They hold that ia convention il call
ed at this time, or early in 1879, We
mas be beaten in the elections for DEL
eeates ; that even if We are not, the
con veution may provide for a new
State government and attempt to re-
adjust the State debt.
The two latter objections have al
ready been fully answered by tht
DEMOCRAT and the other convention
papers throughout the State, and W
believe they have been abandoned b,
the anti-conventionists, who nov
rests their oppositious to a c"nstito
tional convention, solely upon tn
ground that We may not DO able II
carry the election.
This objection is based upon a sin
gular misapprehension OF the poIitlca
events of the last few years aud o
the present situation in Louisiana
The truth is that we are now, ant
: will be in the spring of 1879, bette
/ able to carry this State by a swcepin!
majority than we will be again. Th
Radical party is now totally diS"rgan
lied ; it has seither leaders nor UNITY
it is as incapable Of making stan
against the Democracy as the Radica
party of Mississippi was when it VA
beaten in 1877 by a hundred thousan
y majority. liza living question, sue
az a constitutional convention, shat
= be presented by the Baton Rous
convention, the Democrats will carr
. Louisiana by 10000 majority, al
elect large majority Of tie membe!
Of both houses of the Legislature. 5
, !, complete is the decentralization CT til
- Radical party that our friends fro'
= Northeast Louisiana assure US ths
. the Democrats will carry such parish
o. a. Madison, Tensas and Carol
:, No intelligent man eau believe tia
y this condition of affairs will continu
). until 1880. We have certainty
u carrying the State this fall, aud agai
in 1879 if We call convention. b
the elements of opposition to tt
). Democratic party will ogauize an Of
- posing party before 1880 as certain
!. tho sun shines, aud under leade
"a which will make it's opposition mo
l.. formidable than many seem to Apr
. 70 heud. Indeed, We believe that if a'
y ,, other Democratic Legislature assen
y y hles 10 this State without calling
~ convention, the opposition to Il
- 10 Democratic party in 1880 will car
10 70 the election and gain fairly the CO..
20 20 troll of the State. We hold, Their
" fore, that if the Democrats hope
!. prolong their power in Louisian
~ - they must yield to the demands OF Il
o. people for a constitutional con Veprio
v Let the Democratic convention
=. therefore, in the several parishes y
20 20 ware how they instruct their del
10 gates to vote against committing t
70 patty to this great popular Dem
= cratic measure. All factions of t
party; all the leaders and journ'
of the party have, without excePtio
=, conceded that the bayonet edict
- 1868 is az iufamy. and I'D iocobu
~ therefore let the party, when 1t
rrf semb|es in Baton Rouge, DO true
y" W Democratic principles; true to t
=; honor aud the best interests Of I
~. State, and pledge itself to call q c.
90 stitutional convention while there
No a certainty that the Democratic G
20 % elect a largo majority Of the dc
- gates, and thus insure the people
20. honest, economical and truly reput
no can constitution.
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