The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1878-06-21
NOW AND THEN.

enough for him, and that he would ex-
ert his private and official influence to
continue it at least during his term Of
office? None at all. He would have
been Kissed from the stump by tho
very men who now find so mucl, COM
fort, consolation and good in it. Who
has changed? There was no tsWormley
conference mystery about the cam
vass every thing was done openly
and publicly ,and the policy and inten-
ton of the party freely discussed and
we'll understood; and is now wildly
and perfectly remembered by all.
We were pledged to redeem the
State, reform its government and ligh-
ten the burdens of its people. Will
any one point to the fulfilment of any
one of these pledges? Has there been
any move in that direction? Has not
nearly every effort to inaugurate re-
form been tabled, pigeoncd-hold and
GUS rag? Were our professions then
but so many "lures thrown out to cap
tivate the mobility" and an assurance
that, after capturing the government,
we intended to enjoy it among our
selves with all its iniquity, extortion
and oppression
We protest against such monstrous
perversion of principle and patriotism
as wicked and deceitfuI, and as an
abuse of public confidence, and insist
upon tho original conditions, as in duty
bound. 1t is admitted now, as it was
known in 1876, that reform is imposs-
ible under tho constitution of 1865. Is
it possible to amend that which must
be expunged to give relief? Can the
faulty and unintelligible appendages
give promise of anything but discord
and confusion? Were they even
among the dreams, much less the
thoughts of men, until after tho legis-
laturc met in January, 1878? Nosuch
things were contemplated and no such
things are wanted now.
campaign of 1876 pledged "to Grad
icate every vestige of Radicalis,n in
this Statc.'' AS to the election we
succeeded, no matter how. We are in
possession and control of the whole
machinery of the government and can
use it as expected, as promised and as
obligated, for our redemption and
future security. Then take no back
ward step. A halt, even, is dangerous.
Onward is the word, and a new Constit-
utiOn the ultimatum.
The New Orleans Democrat of the
18th instant, just received, bears us out
in what has gone before, in this cogent,
truthful and happy style:
The existing constitution is, from be-
ginning to end, a perversion of repub-
lican government by the people, for
the people, to the robbery OF the peo-
pic by their officials, and for the ad-
vancement of individual and monopoly
interests. That constitution was in
spired by evil and is too dangerous a
document to be trifled with. Its basis
is bad and wicked, and all the tinker
ing that may be done upon it cannot
wiped out absolutely, in order that the
theory upon which it is constructed
may be cradicated. More than this,
the Democratic party stands solemnly
pledged by its most earnest prOtesta-
tons in every campaign since it's adop.
ton in 1868 to repeal it the very mo-
ment that party got into power. This
promise has been the slogan of four
campaigns and through eight long
years the people have held that pro-
misc to their hearts and looked for
ward to its redemption as to Il new
evangel. Will the party refuse it to
them, now that the time has at length
come when the promise may be re-
deemed? We hope not; we believe
not. The present constitution is Il sign
of disgrace and ignominy upon our
people, left upon them by the vaga-
bonds who brought us the strange and
shameful evangel of carpet baggory.
1t is not an expression of the free and
honest will of tho people, but the edict
of a military satrap, thrust upon us
against our will, and not even by our
participation. Let us wipe it out for
the sake of honor and manhood. Let
this question be made tho test in every
nomination for the Legislature, and
let only those be placed on the ticket
who are pledged to the calling of a
constitutional convention. The Baton
Rouge convention may think it mex
Incident to submit the question directly