St. Landry democrat., 1879-03-15
Mr.. EDITOR -

Our delegates to the CONSTITUTIONAL
convention have been nominated and
this is equal to their election. The
constitution of 1868 will soon lie buried
in the grave of oblivion, and the solitary
spot will be marked by the tombstone
of non-reserection. We now turn our
attention to the constitution Of 1879. The
able delegation sent from st. Landry,
will meet with able ones from the other
parishes of the State, and their COM
bined ability, experience and integrity
will guarantee to US not only relief
from our present embarrassed condl-
ton, but greatly brighten the prospect
of our future.
But among the many important things
they will have to do, and the many
difficulties with which they will have to
contend, there is little matter that we
all look forward to with the greatest
interest. 1t is this: The educational
qualification that q legal roter should
hare. Mr.. Editor this is a very impor-
tant question, and after our bitter ex-
perience for the last 10 or IA years, 1t
becomes very serious one. we think
the Importance of the case will justify
us in bringing this subject before your
readers and of giving the reasons why
we think that no man should be atlored
to vote ,cho can not read and arrite. We
know what an opposition we must meet,
but as we feel fully justified in recon-
mending and advocating what we con-
slider the cause of right and fully
prepared to give our reasons for SO
doing, we do not hesitate to say that
our delegates to the convention should
see to it that the voters in the State OF
Louisiana should have little more
education than the dumb beasts that
carry them to the polls.
We are aware that very wise set OF
men declared that "all men were created
free and equal" but in our humble
opinion very wise men may sometimes
do very silly things, and as in this case
allow their reason to become the slave
of prejudice. 1t may be a very pretty
idea and answer the purpose on many
occasions, but it lacks one important
ingredient and that is truth. The SAME
wise men would lead us to believe tina
as "all men are created free and equal,
that they are all entitled to the same
rights and privileges. Now to prove
the falacy of the first assertion woult
be to undermine the groundwork Of thu
whole argument and in this connection
we would ask if it were not palpably
nearer the truth to say that no man wal
ever born free and that no two mel
were ever born equal? It is certainl,
the case that man is born in q state o.
the most helpless dependence on others
He continues subject to the absolute
control of others and remains withou
many OF the civil and all the politica
privileges of society until the periot
which the law has fixed as that at which
he is supposed to have attained thu
maturity of his faculties.
Even long previous to this inequality
is perceptible, even very apparent, a
this period it is still further developed
and becomes infinite in every societ.
and under every form of government
Wealth or poverty fame or obscurity
strength or weakness; knowledge O.
Ignorance; ease or labor; power o
subiection mark the endless diversity il
the condition Of man. These inequali
ties must and will exist under any form
of government that man could devise
and it is for these reasons We contend
that no man was ever born free anf
that no two men were ever born equal
Again it ia bold that voting is RICH
Of which the ignorant and uneducatet
should not be deprived, Now females
are human and rational befngs and may
he found of better faculties and bette
qualified to exercise political privileges
and to attain political distinction than
many men. yet who complains OF the
order of society by which they are
excluded
A youth of is may have powers which
cast into the shade those of any of lii
advanced contemporaries, yet he can ex'
ercise no political privilege or aspire tt
no political distinction. So it is plain
that of necessity there must be some
general rule upon the subject in orde1
to exclude from such privileges those
who are untitled to exercise them by
reason of infirmity, unsuitableness Of
character, or defect of discretion. Il
society should disfranclise individually
convicted of infamous crime would thss
he an Invasion of right even though
their civil liberty be restricted? Ye'
this would not be justified on the score
Of their moral guilt, bat that the goot
of society required or would be pro.
NOTED by it. The natural right of mar
is to act at all times and under all cir.
cumstanees as pleases him best, but BIZ
is of necessity thrown into the society
Of his fellow man and must therefore
exercise only a civil right, which means
that he may act at all times and under
all circumstances as pleases hina bes
provided such acts do not, interfere
with the civil rights Of others. Fol
instance it is a natural right that MAJ
should enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit.
of happiness, but it does not fellow
that bis life can not be forfeited; tha
his liberty can not be taken away q
that his pursuit of happiness can not III
invaded If IN shanld nrnya a benefit III