The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-24
THE COUNTRY PRESS.
EARNEST DEMAND FROM THE PRESS
FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL
CONVENTION.
tHouma Courier.l


The question Of the day is, "are we to have
d constitutional convention ?" II we were
asked to answer the query In the name OIL a
majority OF Democratic voters OF this parish,
our reply would be: Yes The Democratic
party pledged itself to reform the abuses OF
former administrations of misrule, dishonesty
and monopolies; 1T pledged itself to protect
the rights of the people, and we now ask that
those pledges be redeemed by aeeedlng 70
the wishes of the people. A batch OF amend
ments hurriedly adopted by worried leglSlar
tors, will not satisfy Che demands Of the DEM
ocratic voters Of this State. We want Q new
constitution that will not only
be an honor to this State, but one, also, that
will reflect credit upon the statesmen VINO
will be entrusted with the responsible duty OF
It's revision mo man should be supported
for an official position who does not pledge
himself in advance as favoring o eonstltu-
tional convention" says the Vtndtcator, and
in this we concur. The Democrats OF this
properly instructed on this question, and
furthermore. they should carefully note
whether or not those Instructions have been
adhered to-and that In spite OF adverse In
fuences.
tOuachita Telegraph
What support would any candidate have
had In 1876 had he proclaimed that the con-
stitution of 1868 was good enough for him,
and that he would exert his private and Oil
ciaI influence to continue it at least during
his term of office? None at all. He would
have been Missed from the stump by the very
men who now find so much comfort, ConsOla-
ton and good In 1t, Who has ehangedf
There was no "Wormley conference" mystery
about the canvass; everything was done
openly and publicly, and the policy and In, 2,
tention of the party freely discussed and well
understood, and Is now ytyldly ana pef1ecCly
remembered by all.
We were pledged to redeem the State, re-
form it's government and tighten the burdens
of its people. will any one point to the iul-
tiIlment of any one OF these pledges Has
there been any move in that direct1onf Z Has not
nearly every effort to inaugurate reform been
tabled, pigeon-holed and buried out OF sight
like some Infectious rag :? We're our profess
sions then so many lures thrown out TO cap
tivate the nobility" and an assurance that,
after capturing the government, we intended
to enjoy it among ourselves with all it's in
iuuity, extortion and oppression
We protest against such q 1nOnStrous per-
version of principle and patriotism as3 wicked
and deceittul, and as an abuse OF public cOntl-
dence, and insist upon the original conditions,
as in duty bound. It Is admitted now, as 1t
was known In 1876, that reform Is Impossible
under the constitution Of 1868. ls 1T possible
to amend that which must be expunged TO
give relief Can the faulty and unintelligible
appendages give promise Of anything but dis
cord and confusion? Were they even among
the dreams, much less the thoughts of men,
until after the Legislature met in January,
1878? No such things were contemplated anu
no such things are wanted now.
Be consistent. We commenced the cam
paign OF 1876 pledged ITO eradicate every
vestipe of Radicalism in this State" AS to
the election we succeeded, no matter now
We are in possession and control OF the whole
machinery Of the government, and can ust
IL as expected, as promised and as obligated
for our redemption and future security. Then
take no backward step. A halt, even, is
dangerous. Onward is the word, and new
constitution the ultimatum.
tRichland BeaconJ
We have repeatedly given some Of oul
reasons for favOring constitutional conven
| ton, or the adoption OF O new constitution FOL
| this State by some means-an and convention
| is the only constitutional means provided fol
| such work-and we have thrown our columnS
open for the admission OF such reasons al
| for we have no desire to see our party divided
on this or any other Issue, while we earnestly
desire to be convinced of the fact II we are II
error-but thus far no one has ayailed himsel
of the offer Nor have we yet seen what w
considered good reason advanced why we
should not have the convention. The strong
est argument we have heard used against 1t i
| that the adoption of O new constitution WOult
have to be voted on at the general election .
1880, and that the Democratic party woult
| have weight enough to carry in that election
without being burthened with this additiona
load, which we do not consider a good ant
plausible reason
In the first place, we do not think that tn
adoption of the constitution must necessaril.
he voted on at that election. II the Legisla
ture should provide for the meeting Of tn
convention as soon as 1t assemblies next win
ter the convention UUufd assemble III III
spring and frame the constitution, Whlcl
could be submitted to the people for their rati
fication or rejection in the fall OF 1879 II
fact, we think that special election shoul
always be held for the adoption OF constitu
tiOn; that no other issue should be involves
In an election of this kind. Next, the ratifca
tion of constitution should never be 1cesgh
to any party, but help. Ii we thought
convention would propose constitution tina
would be a clog to the party; that 1t Woul
not be such one as would commend 1tself
all good, intelligent and PATRIOTIC citizen;
then we would strenuously oppose the callln
of the conventions as much as we dislike ou
, present constitution. We do not want a cor
stitutiOn that will not do this; but we war
the wisdofR, patriotism and honesty Of 0u
State to assemble in convention and offer L
such constitution as will be an honor 10 ou
people and safeguard to all their rights an
privileges. How such constitution could /
weight to any party we are at loss
know.
The next objection to the constitutions
convention is the expense OF holding it. III
: saving of expenses by the reduction OF tax
tion Is one Of our principal reasons for adv
eating 1t. The constitution the people wal
J would save enough to the State to pay all ii
l expense Of holding the convention and votin
5 upon its ratification within two years
g least. II we cannot elect delegates who wi
e offer us such q constitution as this, then v
t are In q deplorable condition indeed.
=. Mr.. Edward D. White, Of Orleans, in h
g labored effort in the Senate, March IS,
|. show that the Legislature, then in sessio
t had done all it could towards reform and +
d trenchment, assigns as q reason for it's failu
to accomplish more in this direction that
was prevented by constitutional and other I
Il strictions. II that Legislature was restrict
# by the constitution from redeeming
i pledges of reform, why do its members st
n want to retain it? Do they want to preser
Il it as a shield to dereliction OF duty?
0 A Brussels Romance.
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