The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-09

party--organized and manipulated ct WASH
ington by the Republican Congressional Cam
paign Committee that the parishes Of
Tensas, Concordia, Natchitoches and other
localities In this State. with numerous other
communities in North Alabama and South
Carolina, had been selected, in the furtherance
OF this conspiracy, as the scenes OF simulta-
neous outbreak. 1t had never been intimated
In this State, until the Governors message
appeared, that these disturbances originated
with the whites, who were reputed to have
gone to Fairfax on a mission OF peace and ex-
postulation, or that the resDoE blllty OF their
Indictment rested upon Capt. Peck and those
who accompanied him on that fatal night.
It must be remembered that Gov Nichols
Is no ordinary witness. He has visited the
disturbed localities, has investigated these
troubles In person. and has borne testimony
accordingly. After thorough personal inves-
tigation, he has carefully considered the
whole matter, and he tells the Legislature, In
his formal message, that the representation
that Capt Peck and his friends went to the
house of Fairfax on mission OF peace and
expostulation Is false, and that the real object
of the visit was political one, and that this
visit was the "proximaoe" cause of all the
subsequent troubles.
This is a startling statement to the people
Of Louisiana. and Is utterly opposed to all
their fixed convictions In regard to this mat
ter. But 1t comes from Gov. Nichols, and
with all the authenticity Of an official state
ment. In such shape 1t Is entitled to
and will receive the utmost respect at home
and abroad. Yet we submit, with all respect,
that the evidence upon which these state
ments are made should be submitted to the
General Assembly. This Is matter that
cannot be lightly passed over, and In which
the people of this State are deeply Interested
In view Of these facts, and OF the extent to
which they affect the good name and reputa-
ton Of the com munities involved, we suggest
that resolution be passed by one house Of
the Legislature, or both, requesting the Gov
ernor to furnish the evidence upon which his
extraordinary statements are founded.
Passing over all other matters treated OF In
the message. we hasten to give our unquali-
fled approval OF the manly and unequivocal
position the Governor has taken In regard to
constitutional convention. All that he has
said upon this subject will meet with univer
sal appreciation from the people OF the State.
No-not UNIVERSAL there will be one dissent
ing voice, that OF the Times. to which we COM
mend for reflection, in the solitude OF its own
folly, the following, which constitutes the
conclusion of the message:
| am assured that you bring to the dis
charge Of your constitutional duties high
sense Of the great responsibility which they
entail. The constitution, by which these du
ties are imposed and limited, In many par
ticulars, will restrain you In your legitimate
desire to effectuate good for the people OF the
State The last General Assembly having
experienced this restraint, sought to remove
it by submitting amendments to the organic
law correcting many abuses which were be-
yond legislative control The failure to
adopt these amendments leaves open to you
the entire constitutional revision as the only
remaining measure Of entire relief The
proper and opportune period is particularly
within the reach Of your just decision.
Should, however, your judgment point to It's
opportunity before the next general election,
then it seems to me the earlier the necessary
fiscal legislation can be devised the better, so
as to enable you to adjourn at the earliest
possible moment after providing for the con-
vention, thus saving the cost OF prolonged
session.