The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-21

THE CONVENTION.

At 10 o'clock to-day Gov. Nichols will
call the constitutional convention to order
We believe there will be little difficulty or de-
lay In effeeting permanent organization,
and hence that the great work of construct
ing new constitution for this State will soon
be commenced. 1t isseldom that graver duties
have been imposed upon body OF men than
those which have been entrusted by the peo-
pie of Louisiana to the hands OF this conven-
ton. The work to be done must for many
years affect the interests Of all classes OF the
community.
If wisdom, patriotism and courage land
the latter quality Is as necessary as the other
two) control the deliberations OF the conven-
ton, this day will mark the beginning Of a
happy era In Louisiana. III, on the other
hand, selfishness corruption and eowardice
are permitted to exercise any influence on
the work, the convention will be failure,
and its members will be forever condemned.
and politically buried. We entertain, how
ever, the highest anticipations of the results.
The convention is largely composed of gem
tlemen known throughout the State for their
integrity and capacity
1t Is true that the Radical ring men and
negroes have elected few delegates, several
of whom were the chief architects of the ruin
Of Louisiana, and who may be expected to
consult in all cases their own ends and inter-
ests. But these are few and SO we'll known
for their corruption that, however unwilling,
they are powerless for harm. Upon the
whole, therefore, we feel that the State can
congratulate itself on the cheering outlook.
We do not propose now to discuss the work
which will come before the convention: but
we suggest that, rs soon as possible after the
organization is effected, an urgent protest
should be made against the recent seandalous
and lawless invasion of the rights and liber-
ties of the people OF Louisiana by the Federal
judiciary. After an important State election,
and pending the election OF delegates to the
constitutional convention, We saw hundreds
Of the best and most honored citizens Of
Louisiana indicted In New Orleans by
stocked grand jury, arrested by United States
deputy marshals dragged from their fam
ilies. homes and business and tried by parti
san courts. These prosecutions have cost the
government large sums Of money, they have
seriously injured number OF our parishes,
and well nigh ruined number Of estimable
citizens, But the chief outrage Is the fact
that the prosecutions were revolutionary In
their character, an invasion Of the rights OF
the State. and violation Of our most sacred
laws,
Nor do we see any indication that these out
RACES by the Federal judiciary are to stop
| with the failure OF the prosecutions On the
contrary, that department Of the government
seems to be engaged in gigantic scheme OF
revolution, the object Of which is to complete
Iy destroy the character OF this government
and reduce the States to mere parishes or
counties. criminal statute of the State is
now paralyzed ia the clutches OF the United
State District Court, and 1t is an open secret
that great movement is on foot by the hold
ers of the bonds of defaulting States to bring
the machinery of the Federal courts to bear in
the enforced collection of their rotten bonds.
It ID time that some protest Of proper dig
nifty and spirit were made by Louisiana
against these outrages, and it seems to us
that the convention, elected fresh from the
people. should make that protest. and In
no eNuiyOcal language.