The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-15

1 AAsSs~-~'S~S
Irequfred to measure their PAGES TO it's crack
This was how these amendments were passed
and everybody knows 1t. The DEMOCRAT
protested then against such a discip
! line of martinets, while the Tsmes and
Picaysne applauded and upheld the hands
OF those who welded the lash. Our chiefesi
glory now is, that those who held the whip
hand then are with us now heartily
honestly. sincerely with us, in our advo-
cacy OF constitutional convention.
without reference to thu dispute as to
whether this convention business Is party
question or not, there is a vast difference
between voting for or against a conven-
| tion and for or against amendments, each
involving an alteration Of the fundamental
law.
Upon the former proposition party dfsci-
pline might well be brought to bear, since it
involves mere question Of general expe-
diency. In this instance 1t does net even in
volve that, as the party caucus sbound to
take its cue and direction from the party
convention, which has emphatically pro-
nouneed upon this question. But to enforce
this discipline, In order to secure the passag Q
Of set OF amendments, which had never
been considered or discussed outside Of a
committee room, upon which tha3 party had
never pronounced, was NEST aEh itrary and
unwarranted proceeding. Yet ths was pre-
cisely what was done by the friends and ad
vocates OF the amendments In the u .st Legis-
lature.
Is it a matter Of surprise that am. mdments
passed as these were, under the gag and with
ont LIS. ia
met by the call for the previous question,
have not been understood and in telligently
voted upon by the masses? How different
from this method will be that OF o. constitu-
tional convention Every proposition that
comes before that body will be exh austively
discussed; every discussion will be fully re-
ported, and public attention will be engaged
and criticism and suggestion eliCiteti. Upon
each and every radical change OF the law
there will be, assuredly, volumes Of comment.
There can be no gag law to shut off debate In
the convention, or criticism and suggestion
on the outside. This will present A. very In
wiling contrast to the manner in " hieh the
amendments, SO highly commended by our
contemporaries, were rushed through tbs Last
Legislature.
OCl Ldluly JnUcc WHO WtEb SLkdSeta'IH tH6b
forcing process. or who now commend and
approve 1t, have no right to complain of
caucus on the mere question OF expecilency
involved on the call of a convention This |
is general proposition that might essily be |
referred to party dictation. 1t has But two /
sides; a yea and a nay side, and whatever
discussion may be necessary to decide 1t has
already been had, in the last Legislature,
during the primary canvass antecedent TO-
the Baton Rouge Convention, in that CONVEX
ton, and. subsequently, from the hastings |
during the last campaign. But what discus /
sion has there ever been OF the amendEnents1f
The only opportunity for discussion that |
would have been available or Of any practical |
In the Legislature, when theytwere /
voted upon, and their debate was cut short |
by the call for the previous question Under
such circumstances. what complaint have the |
friends Of these measures to urge2
Great efforts have been made to break the |
caucus on this measure. So far the Sc Efforts |
have proved futile. Yesterday the ID EN- oerats |
Of the Senate stood solid. We believe they |
will do so to-day, and that the convention |
will be an assured fact before the, sun sets |
this evening. God grant this to t,e so, and |
may be our fortunes In the future, |
The DEMOCRAT will find In this cons ummation |
The proud consciousness Of having fulfilled
,ne glorious mission to the people OF Louis
ana.