The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-11-09

cry raised was to create nreiuiioe and dis
trust among the eolored people o' southern
Democrats There never was, than man
80 mad AZ to harbnr the design ut returning
the negro to his bondage. This s'ogan. now
ever. sopn had to he abandoned and now one
erected. which was that. II % al government
was given the South tho latter would at
tempt TO iisfranchise the negro. Behold the
teaut of these false predictions But let us
come To the hopks The first constitutional
provision Of Massachusetts ~ 1892 restrict-
eti the voting power bya tax qualification.
and aleo that of 1867 still further.
la 1t any wonder then that the poor man
should vote the Democratic ticket In Masaa-
chusetts And II II is an Inherent right OF
that honorable commonwealth 10 refuse 'Iall-
chico because of poverty or illiteraey. It's an
inherent right ID tho commonwealth OF Lou-
Isiana, THE speaker than proceeded 70 show
how liberal were the laws OF Louisiana re-
apeot,na tho elective franchise and how the
negro'a privilege has been asaalledl
II ia notorious that there never was an
election fairer or more peaceahle than that
FOR delegates to the constitutional convention.
ALI had an equal chance. and II is fact that
III Republican districts more colored men
we're elected than their white friends. And IT
In further q fact that the oolored members
expressed themselves as highly graHtled with
the treatment they had received from their
distinguished presiding officer, Tor whom,
later In their State convention, They had
nothing but words of praise
We do not claim that tho constitution Is =
perfect instrument but we do claim that II Is
infinitely superior to- that OF 1868, Had It
been adopted Mt that time what world OF
woes would IL not have relieved VIA ot Gi9an-
tie mpnopnIiea erected to tho injuries OF small
daalera the assessments and taxes which
well-nigh ground the marrow out of our
bones. q metropolitan pulice force employed
aa janissRriaa to onpress what wnuld not
have been saved us had that constitution
been then adopted
The object OF a constitution ID to Distribute
tho functions of government and " put q curb
and bit upon the officers. The restrictions
against tho exerciso of arbitrary power Is one
Of the chief elements OF tho new constitution,
and from this very fact II shculd commend
itself tp Republicans and Democrats. Tha
speaker then called attention to the limitation
respecting monnpalies
Tn 1879 the State purchased II 900 shares
of the North l,puiaia,la and Texas Railroad.
which are to-day worthless. aud ut that very
time there was 4 suit pending III the United
Statra Supreme G nrt which completely
swept the claim away. The bonds tasued ~
tho State. for which aha received nothing,
were funded. and interest y claimed upon
thcn. Is It possible that a State can thrive
when such thing is constitutional u the
State In an eleamosynary establishment, let
It take care or the whole Ut us, but the now
constitution puts an et1pctual bar to any such
practices hereafter. and leaves us to our
selves.
The speaker next alluded to the abolition OF
special and private legislation and showed
ita advantages and the great benefits II would
bring 10 the State. The Improvement upon
the whole instrument. he said. was immense
and there la lass Capitalization of inrisdietion
Passing to the ticket nominated hy the
Democratic party at Baton Rouge. he said y
was such that Democrats can support, should
aupport and will support. Gov. Witt Ia q
clear headed. logical man. of atrong will aud
great energy: as Il presiding officer he is 1ln-
surpassed and this argues that ho In u just
fair and impartial man. No man could have
undergone his trial and received the COM
lDendations af both parties unless he waa a
man. nut this Ia not 4 crime unless he turns
Ii to unworthy enda, No man of his years
and record could afford ~ blast hia future ~
pursuing couse inimical 10 the interests Of
the people. | lean to the side, however, that
ambition la virtue and not vice. and !
doubt not Gov. Wilt will direct IL we'll.
In conclusion the speaker read tho coil
cludinR resolution passm at baton Rouge,
Cnmpltmant1nR t9ov. Nloh0lia. ana pFOInunohu
q enoHy upon the latter.
When another writer shall arise. he said, to
add the fourth book to Gayarre'a History of
Louisiana. he will writa the history or carpet
bag government. and again another writer
will tell OF the renaissance and foremost Will
stand the name Of Francis 4. Nichols, and ~
1t will he chronicled the name OF 7, n. Ogden
and his band of young mon, and debt nt
gratitude will ever bo due by Louisiana TO
them.
The first act performed by the Nichols
Legislature was the one abplishng the Re-
turning Board. and that board ts now gone to
its deatt-bed MI under the willow tree, and
even the smiling Gasanavo did not furnish
carriage for the funeral. Finally, the speaker
appealed to the young men of New Orleans
whose eyes are frequently set upon The gilt
tering temptation Of Office to the destruction
of their good business habits to cut their own
way through life with pluck. energy and
economy This they will never do. he said,
hoped that all offices will be reduced compat-
ihle with their efficient administration to the
smallest possible limits.
After great applause Mr.. VOORHEES, present.
ed the following resolutions. which were
adopted:
year 1863 for The State OF Louisiana under the
Federal reconstruction policy, was nekation
OF the right Of home rule from the fact that II
was foistnd upon its people, without their con
Whereas. that instrument artfnlly contrived
the edisfranchisemant of . very large number Of
that purpose such as could and should hayH
welded Influence III the public councils: and 1t
has systematically organized the State without
the limitations and safeguards which had he
come so necessary TO prevent the waste OF pub-
lie substance: and. indeed. had made 1t W IL
nigh impossible to carry on the functions OF gov
ernment with economy in keeping with the
resources OF the people: and
Whereas. the financial Distress and impover-