The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-11
LOUISIANA MATTERS.
VIEWS OF THE COUNTRY PRESS UPON
SUBJECTS OF PRESENT INTEREST.
The Coming Constitutional Convention.
Sugar Panterl

me coming GOnsfst1btDuaf IDnFtHtf0H.
Sugar Planter.l
Now that the constitutional convention is a
settled fact, it becomes the duty OF the people
TO look about for suitable delegates 70 repre-
sent them IN that body. AS we view the DriIl-
cfple in this matter, political considerations
should not be the guiding star In the selection
OF representatives. In our humble opinion
the best men should be chosen in every parish
OF the State, who are competent, who are
faithful and who thoroughly understand the
onerous duties that will devolve upon them
Our good citizens are wanting neither in ca
pacity nor intelligence as rule and the diff
Guilty will be to suppress the hordes who will
thrust themselves forward for that position,
aetuated or prompted by the share In the
honor and per diem rather than merit as
proper qualification This must De expected
in all cases where a few dollars continue to be-
the chief attraction for doubtful services.
Against this the people should rig1dly
guard as upon the value OF the new con-
stitution will the suffragan act either
upon its adoption or rejection. new book
of the law should be so complete in all itS
parts that neither OF them ought to be mod
flied or entirely changed for years TO come
adopted as whole it ought to remain In
tact until times natural changes should go
require. At the present crisis in public af-
fairs, time spent in adopting a code of laws is
of far more advantage to public interests,
than haste IN compilation. Sixty days is the
period assigned for the duration of the con-
vention. It is worse than folly to limit the
laborS OF any such body. Being it's own
master, the convention, however can extend
the time to any number of days its own wis.,
dom and the peoples interest requires. Let
them take six months, If in their opinion the
public welfare demands it, or theold adage
may become verified, ''the greater haste, the
less speed" But there is one result the peo-
pie imperatively demand and that is, when
the convention shall have completed it's
Iabors, that they will have left nothing un-
done to give the people a constitution that
will stand the test OF the most rigid investi-
cation. With the material at hand to select
from we see no reason why the people should
be disappointed in their expectations, unless
men of inferior capacity or political bigotry
should be chosen to this body instead OF men
| renowned for their capacity intellect and
other necessary qualifications. See TO it,
| then, that in every parish that none but the
most competent are only chosen, for upon
their labors the veal or woe Of Louisiana
depends for many years TO come.
Washington News.I
| There is every indication in this parish
/ that the Republicans have already COM
| menced political agitation, and have their
agents prowiing about through the country.
busily engaged in arousing the colored voters
| in order that they may be organized and ON
hand at the election Of delegates to the con-
stitutional convention.
| The colossal Canadian, Louis Desmarais.
henchman of the Republican party, tS in our
parish, we are told, and has fifty days leave
of absence from the CuSt0m-houSe at New Or
leans, where he holds the very important DO
sition OF first clerk. He Is now in 0peiousas,
marshaIing his forces and preparing for the
coming contest.
i fThibodaux Sentinel.I
In few weeks the people of this senatorial
district will be called upon to elect two sem
atorial and six paroehial delegates to repre-
sent them and their interests in the convent
ton TO frame new constitution for this State.
1t is very important that good and able
delegation be selected for that purpose. They
| will have work to perform the beneficial or
injurious results of which will be felt for
many years 10 come.
In nakHg selections for representatives
neither local prejudices nor personal c0nsid-
erations should be suffered TO exert any intlu-
enee, but only the desire to seeur5 the SER
vices of competent, practical men who are
known to be conservative In their views, and
J whose regards for the promotion OF the public
welfare and the enhancement OF the vital
principles that underlie honest, faithful and
just government overrule all personal consid-
erationS.
None but men of enlarged views and pro-
, gressive ideas should be chosen for the impor-
tant work to be accomplished.
Franklin SUM-
| The constitution should be the production
| of the most profound thought, sagacty and
wisdom; and, therefore, should be devised by
the combined wisdom of the State--the clear.
est, cOolest-headed and most intelligent mer
9 of the State should be selected TO perform
: this all important work; and none who are
thus selected should decline to serve tbs
3 people, although it will be a hard duty to per
form; for, indeed, this is truly an Office thai
7 should notbe sought by the man, but 1t should
: seek the man.
to engage in 1t should lay aside all party
. spirit: for it cannot be a party measure IL
/ any sense of the word; it is the foundation ol
2 cornerstone upon which the whole edifice 0
. our State government is to rest, and SHOULD
9 stand a monument of wisdom and justict
' after the present parties and party differ
4 enceS have been forgotten. Our objection Il
: the present constitution is that it is parti
II san instrument, devised by politicians OF |
certain school, for the benefit of themselves
u Let us not fall into the same error in adopt
1e ing a new one, lest 1t be monument OF folly
y instead of wisdom. Those who dig pits fol
e others often fall into them themselves. Ihs
= foolish are caught in the snarps they set lol
,t others, and bring upon themselves the egR
t they intend for their adversarfes.
East Feliciana Democrat
q The Cincinnati Star very truthfully re
d marks: Louisiana has the supreme SatisIae
l. ton of feeling that no set OF men can oe gsCl
cred together capable OF devlsing WoIs' s
- constitution than that under WHICH III .aie -,
- ule OF that State labor. On the eve 9l bhs
e CONSTITUTIONAL convention this fact should AZ
~ ~ ford great consolation.
ut Vienna Sentinel
w Jas. A. Dorman is candidate 1or Inc con
"a vention from Blenville parish.
it Judge w. A. Darby and j M. Inderwoo'
are snoken of aS prominent Candidates 10
he aho .n1o opnrantion in Union parish.
OF A correspondent of the Claiborne GuayfiG
IN nominates Gen. John Young and Hon. W. !
9, Moraland for the convention.
We learn that Capt. E. e. Kidd will be
o' candidate for delegate to the convention
b. Jackson parish
our New senator.
81 81 Washington News.I