The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-10-22

principles to which l have referred
and confidence that / will persist in
my devotion to them in the future.
1t being my judgment that parties
are necessary to free governments,
and that the hest results are apt to
follow from the collisions to which
! party contests give rise, it may not
be out of place for me to say that it
is my belief that the suffering for
tunes of Louisiana are likely to be
restored by return TO the cheap,
honest and simple manner of govern
ment which is connected if not iden-
titled with the fathers of Democracy,
and that, | trust, practical benefits
may be derived by borrowing con-
stantly from the examples set by
their experience, wisdom and patri-
otism; and that it will be the effort
of the administration to which your
favor will have been chiefly instru-
mental in calling me, to show how
much good, how much progress, how
perfect an administration of public
Justice toward all men, and what en-
tire security to life, liberty and pro-
perty everywhere throughout the
State can be effected by Democratic
government.
The present is an suspicious per-
iod. It is destined to be an epoch in
the history Of Louisiana. A new
Constitution is about to be adopted,
and the blessings Of well-regulated
liberty will be rapidly diffused among
tue people. The Constitutional Con-
vention was composed of true and
able men. There have not been bet
ter men ever assembled for a similar
purpose in the State. A Constitu-
ton was prepared, the spirit OF
which looks always TO the best in
terests of Louisiana. 1t is difficult
to do Justice To the labors of the
Convention. They were conscicn-
tious, diligent and protractcd. Eve
ry article Of the Constitution and ey-
cry paragraph, I ought to say every
sentence, every line, was examined.
discusee anI weighed; all unite.i in
an ctIn. for the COOL Of all, and con-
temporaDpnlls history was ransacketl
for just such prrrc lents and safe
quarts. Tue result :ciirved is,
believe, the hest organic instrumcn,
Eof government which has been pre-
senle'] 10 the people Of any State for
ratification. Public approval has al
frea(sy male itself manifest in favor
Of it, and it is soon to On into active
operation. The duty naturally de
wolves upon us. as faithful represen.
tatives of the people, to aid and as
sist the popular determination tc
prove before the. world by securing
for the Constitution a vast prepon.
dera"ce Of votes, that it is really the
people Of Louisiana who pronounce
for government Of their own choice
and who assert, with settled and pa
triotic purpose natural TO proud
and free common wealth, the right te
disown and discard forever and con
sign to oblivion the so-called Consti.
tuition Of 1865 as relic of past dis
order, wrong and military oppres
sion. When the Constitution will
have been adopted, it will naturally
become our duty to put it into sue.
cessful, practical operation. 1t will
be necessary to adapt the statutory
law of the State to the great changes
which will have been effected; to pass
new laws upon the various subjects
Indicated in the Constitution, and to
maintain and advance the general
reforms which the instrument de.
signed to set on foot. Certainly this
will be very great WORK, worthy OF
most devoted labors.
It is scarcely necessary, however,
for me to add that it cannot prosper
unless faithful and capable men are
brought forward, and assume the
cares of legislative, magisterial and
judicial position. Never before has
the State made more urgent de-
mand. Let it be our duty to see that
ii is answered. 20 have called out
suitable candidates before the peo-
pie, to have the Legislature paid
properly and to seat upon the bench
those who are learned and wise
enough to interpret, and at the same
time sufficiently brave to enforce the
law. In a word, let us put trust in
those only who are really patriots,
and see to it that our model Consti-