The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-02-12
THE AMENDMENTS.

We publish this morning two speeches de-
iivered In the House yesterday by Mr.. Wise
aud Mr. Leonard, Of Caldo parsh--the one a
staunch Democrat, the other recent convert
TO Repubicanism. Most citizens of New Or
leans into evhoee ears has been dinned for
weeks past the monotonous refrain that the
people of Louisiana do not desire the calling
Of a constitutional convention will. no doubt,
be- surprised to find twoprominent members
of the HOUSE., of such widely divergentpolit-
ieal views and party associations. uniting In
an emphatic declaration that their cOnstlt,l-
ents do want n convention and will be satis-
fled with nothing else. Could there be any
stronger evidence Of the feelings Of the people
OH this subject and OF the extent to which
tlsdr wishes ate disregardedby their servants
The position of the DEMOCRAT on this
question Is so well known to our readers
that 1t is hardly necessary to repeat our
arguments now on the eve Of final action
on the amendments. The party with which
we affiliate and the principles which 1t
has always been our pride to advocate
has, to use the words Of Mr.. Wise in his
speech Of yesterday. In every campaign
since the adoption at the consultation Of 1868
declared to the people that that constitution
was Objectionable in many particulars, and
that upon their accession to power they would
completely change It, The DEMOCRAT, MS
one OF the representatives Of tho party In the
field Of journalism, and having sprung, ms it
were from tho bosom Of the people Mt a time
when their political burdens weighed most
heavily upon them, could not fail to accurately
reflect their views on q matter of such vital
import as the calling OF convention to re-
ruUtip tho utET.niu iaw IF tit State. Ard H
has not failed to do SO. For months we have
insisted. in season aud out of season, that so
long as we allowed the Objectionable features
Of the existing Ubiquitous constitution tostand
we proclaimed to the world our unfitness for
good government and stultified the unceas-
ing protests we had made for years past
aganst that odious instrument, designed
to punish and Cypress the people Of this
State. But our earnest appeals for reform
In our governmental methods seem thus
far to have gone unheeded and been
drowned in craven clamor for peace and
quiet ut any price. The majority of our legis-
lators. turning o deaf eur to tho demands of
their constituents, have yielded to the pres
powerful monopolies, reinforced by small
number Of citizens Of New Orleans conscien-
tiously opposed to Il convention. Instead
of carrying out tho tacit pledges under
which they. or at least the Demo
cratic portion Of them, were elected they
have patched up a set Of amendments which.
as we said the other day, do not touch I'M
kindly single ons Of tho rings and monopo-
lies that feed upon the people like vampires, !
but are meant as Il mere sop to Cerber1ls to |
appease the hunger Of the people for reform
without mourning the hostility of powerful |
combinations. This is the simple trutlc
md no amount of eloquent denuncia-
Jon of the DEMOCRAT can disguise it, |
It IS revealed not only in the character of the
amendments proposed to be Submitted to the
people, but in the shameful mani9er in which
hey were "railroaded" through the Senate
lfter q mysterious executive session Of that
body. the secrets Of which it is perhaps not
proper or necessary that the canaiile, the
'abble, who have nothing but votes to furnish
very two years, should know. Our readers
Will pardon lis, therefore, II we do not enter
,pon a critical analysis OF these proposed
The honorable member from the Sixth
Ward intimated few days ago that the utter
noes of the DEMOCRAT carry no weight with
nen Of his stamp. 1t would, therefore, be q
waste of time for us to address to such as
he protest against the indecent haste with
which it is proposed to rush these amend
nents through the House. We ought, perhaps,
o be thankful that the majority have gra-
iOusly condesCended to allow those members
i the House who favor constitutional con-
ention to vex their ears with the tedious re-
ital Of what their constituents desire. But
We tell this arrogant and defiant majority
hat though it may turn with fastidious
mpatience from the earnest appeals Of the
DEMOCRAT, there Is place where our
tterances are heard and needed, and
will continue to be heard and needed
When they shall have been spewed out of the
mouths of their indignant constituencies and
hat place Is In the midst of the people, in
whose behalf we do not hesitate to antagonize
nd defy the Tweed rings of Louisiana and
ny and all who may countenance Or support
hem. The people may Lave few friends at
resent to voice in the Legislature their deep
Dotted convictions and desires, but they will
e heard Irom before the year is out and lucky
hose among the members of tho General AS
emily who can conscientioqsly ask and may
eceve from their masters the best reward of
merits well done good and faithful scr
ANTS