The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-07-06
Those Amendments.

1t is now a matter of History how
the amendments were adopted. The
New Orleans Democrat told that long
since. When the legislature assem-
bled in 1878, It knew as we'll as when
Senator White so declared at it's close,
that further reform was impossible,
because it wos eStopped By the Constitu-
ton. 1t was known by that body
also, that public sentiment was al
most a unit for Constitutional Con:
vention, and the members knowing
this, set themselves deliberately to ~orh
and impudently raped public opin-
ion.
Going back to the beginning, we
can trace this opposition to the Con-
stitutional Convention to its true
source, and the man must be bcsot-
teddy idiotic that cannot see it.
In the first place the plan of barter
and trade was adopted, and that was
our first step to the degradation we
have Dow reached. Money was re-
quired, and Charley Howard, and the
other monopolists and the "bulls' on
Carondelet street agreed, in consider
alton that they should be sustained, to
furnish it. Dcmas was bought, and
so we're the whole Radical crew who
held legal seats in the Packard legis-
lature, while those who did not have
even the shadow of a claim, save
what the Returning Board gave, were
paid per diem for ninety days, and
mileage.
Towards Lottery had a fee simple
title to the whole concern, and he
managed it from that hour down to
this.
A new Constitution implied an
euunciation of Republican principles,
and monopolies would have been
killed. A new Constitution implied
a reduction in the number of officials
which the present instrument has in.
creased to a swarm. a new Consti
tation meant fair salaries to officials.
A new Constitution meant a curtail-
ment of all power now held by the
Governor and the Legislature; it
meant a government Of the people
and for the people, whose tights and
liberties would be sacredly guarded.
All corporations, individuals and of.
ficials, whose interests new and
honest republican Constitution would
have effected, planned deliberately,
and with malace aforethought, the
defeat of that measure.
Tho first step was to denounce the
people as ignorant asses, who didn't
know what they wanted"-and this
denunciation came from men who
were dependent upon those very PEG.
pie for their exalted positions. The
Governors Message was silent on the
subject. Nay, it was silent on all
subjects of craftsmanship or utility
to the people, dreary recitation of
evils, which the merest tyro knew
existed, without the suggestion of a
single remedy. The Lottery Compa-
ny held in hand the bought Radicals,
besides number of corrupt Demo.
Gratis. All these forces were combiD-
ed, and the defeat Of the people is
measured in the amendments.
We have never cared to study these
Instruments of our defeat with view
to ascertain What a reform may be in
them. 1t is sufficient for us to know,
as we do know, what motives gave
them birth. No benefits will ever
accrne to this people by their adop-
ton, and We predict that when that
fatal step is taken the republican
Constitution, the dream Of the patri.
otto Louisianian, for which he has
poured out his blood, will be iadef-'
aately postponed, and can never be
achieved save by revolution.