The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-07-20
Delegated Powers.

model organic laws Of Pennsylvania,
Georgia, or Arkansas, we showed
conclusively that upon tue question
Of monopolies, the Constitutions of
those States were far superior to
what the amendments could make
ours, We now come to tie considera-
ton of as vital a point as that of Eek.
elusive privileges
Democracy, IS a system of govern
ment, and we use the word Democra-
cy as a synonymous term, is based
upon the theory that all power natu-
rally resides in man; but in order to
adopt that theory to practice, and in
order to secure the well-being Of the
whole, each individual must surren-
der certain rights, naturally his own.
Those rights surrendered are we'll de
fined, and are given in trust to these
ca ordinate powers to be used exc!u-
sively for the happiness of the whole.
Now it is as we'll understood that in
order to sustain the theory of Democ-
racy, and perfect system Of govern
ment Hereunder, other certain rights
must be, and are, exclusively reserved
the people in their individual and
sovereign capacity. In such govern.
ments where the sovereign power is
we'll defined and exercised we ap-
proacb nearer the perfection of Dem
ocratic system, while those in which
the co ordinate branches usurp inhe-
rent rights, or are accorded them by
law, the sovereignty is weakened and
we approach the confines of legal
despotism, the most appalling, in
our estimation, of all the forms of
human government.
Let Us consider then a dangerous
usurpation of this reserved or inhe-
rent and inalienable right, which the
Con stitution of 1868 enunciates, and
which the amendments silently COM
mends. d, -...
1t was q favorite argument Of the
Democrats of this State during War.
mothean and Kelloggean days to de.
nounce the power Of the Executive
under the Constitution of 1868; in..
deed, Republican Committees. from
Republican Congresses have report.
ed, with establishment, that mo Gov
eruor ever exercised such power as the
Constitution and laws Of Louisiana
clothed their Chief Executive with.'
In fact, the executive possesses more
power under the present Constitn
ton than the sovereign people them
selves. Take for instance the num-
Der of officials the law allows him to
appoint. 1t is much greater than the
number the people elect. There new
er was a principle more dangerous to
free government than that Of the ap.
pointing power Of an Executive.
That it is necessary in order TO- 1acili-
tate the operations Of government,
we do not deny, but prudence de.
mands, as a Jealous regard for the
rights Of a people requires, that il
should be granted sparingly, and it,
exercise limited to such cases only al
where it is impossible or impractical
bic for the people to select them.
selves. f.. 4 ~ ,oy d. l. =. -.
In Democratic government COZ pop
1H vox die, so far as the selection o1
officers is concerned; and 10 each In
stance when they are Invested Of that
voice, you undermine the system OF
Democracy. The greater ,participa-
ton the people have in the govern.
ment, the more they are taught to be-
lieve that it is their government, the
greater will be its energy and ehfcieu-
cy, and the better will it answer the
wise purposes for which all laws are
framed and all governments estab.
lisbed. As long ago as ls45,%, Mr.
Read, one of the soppdest Dem crats
that ever lived in Louisiana; pictured
In vivid colors tho exercise of thil
dangerous power, and wsseproduce
his words because they were the Ian.
guage Of far.seeing, Il prophetic
statesman. He said, IN speaking Of
tho appointment. Of the jpdiciafys
"Ths executive appoiutmsnt Of the
judiciary, is the most earnestly press
ed upon our consideration. fa To this
mode Of appointment ! have tile most
decided and issinciblsI repngpascs.
To the Chief Nagistrates,I can move,
consent to surrender the Judiciary,
bound hand and foot. As executive
and - = constituent branch Of tbs
Legislature, his acts are;ta be brough,
b. the Judiciary to the test II sbe
Consultation. By holding in Iii.
hands the power Of Ie.appaintnent
you give him sbsolste. Aasinion owe,
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