The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-05
CHARACTER OF DELEGATES.

| tho gravest character to perform. The Legis-
laturo which has just adjourned passed u bill
providing for Constitutional Convention.
The election for delegates will take place on
the eighteenth of March, and the convention
will assemble In this city on the twsnty-frst
Of April. The work Of that convention will
determine whether, during the next genera
ton or two, we are to have peace or discon-
tent and more political agitation; and the
character OF the work will depend upon tho
character Of the men whom the people shall
elect as delegates. The election Of legis-
lature is n matter of minor Importance;
tho worst legislature may be- in n measure
restrained by the provisions OF we'll
drawn constitution, and at brief and reg
nlar intervals OF time the people have the
opportunity Of dlscarding their unfathful
servants and choosing others who m " undo
their evil or unwise legislation. The compo-
sition of n constitutional convention Is very
different matter The work Of such q body
becomes the basis Of all future legislation; It
stands, II not for all time, at least for genera
tons. The making and unmaklng of consti-
tutlons IL the most disastrous policy State
can pursue; 1t unsettles legislation and juris-
and business, alarms capital and overawes
the spirit Of enterprise.
Therefore, the election and assembling of q
constitutional convention Is always q great
crisis In tho career OF an enlightened State:
and such occasions should call forth all the
energy, patriotism and wisdom OF the people.
Such body is no place for the mere politician,
the trlckster, the schener, or the office seeker
When generation stands. rs 1t were, I'm the
presence OF It's destiny, such little men should
stand aside; and II they hesitate to do 80 the
people should sweep them to the rear.
The country parishes will send their ablest
and best men to the convention. They will
send lawyers. planters and merchants Of the
highest reDute; men who know the weight OF
taxation under which their constituencies
have groaned for years and the evils Inherent
In the organic law to which they have been
subjected; men who will come to the conven-
tion to Top off superfuous officials and TO reor
ganize the government upon cheap, efficient
and vigorous basis In this convention the
best interests Of Louisiana will have nothing
to fear from the country.
But how will 1t be with the city? Arc the |
men who have property. business, social and
Industrial interests here to be affected for half
a century by the convention going to do their
duty as citizens and PATRIOTS or will they, as
usual, sit supinely with folded hands while
Inc rings, monopolies and professional trick
Sters SEIZE the machinery OF the election and |
return themselves or their strikers to the |
conyentionS Are the working men and me-
ehanics, the retail merchants and the small |
property holders going to permit them
selves to be bamboozled into supporting
candidates who have no object except |
to advance some job; to create soft places for
placemen, or to defend and protect monopolies
or rings2 These are questions for the people
OF New Orleans to consider gravely. II they
propose to permit mere placemen on the one
hand, or representatives OF rings and mo-
nopolles, however wealthy and respectable,
on the other, to suppress their will, they will |
have themselves to thank for the evils which
may befall them, and the jobs which may con-
stitute an incubus upon the commerce and
industry OF this city for very many years to
come.
The highest patriotism and wisdom of this
city, we repeat, should be displayed In this
crisis. Whatever ringman or representative
OF private interest presents himself. men
Of New Orleans vote against him, however
rich, pious and respectable he may be. Such
delegates will bind you slaves to the money
power for generations to come. Whatever
hummer or professional politician announces
himself for the convention men of New Or
leans vote against him, however clever he
may be. Whatever trickster or whatever
man with no known principles or character,
Or who does not answer every interrogatory
you propose to him, vote against him.
merchant whose brain and heart ia
SO small that he has habitually neglected his
public duties, vote against him. Whatever
nan, however distinguished in any walk of
lie, who has been in any way or measure
Identified with the regime of Radicalism. vote
against him.
You want politicians in the convention; but
hey should be politicians of breadth of mind
md depth of heart, and who set the good of