The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-06-14
PRICE, FIVE CENTS.
THE CONVENTION.
Debate on the Report of the Com
/: mittee on the State Debt.

Speeches by Delegates Stone, Breaux, Fav-
rot and Kernochan Yesterday.
-. FRIDAY, June H.
The Convention was called to order at II
o'clock, President Witt In the chair and
ninety-three members present.
Delegate Breaux moved that the Conven-
ton resolve itself into committee of the
whole, for the purpose OF considering the re-
port OF the Committee on the State Debt.
which motion was adopted, and Delegate
Girard called to the chair.
DELEGATE STONE
took the floor and addressed the Convention
as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the Gonve,a-
tiOy,-I approach the discussion of this cues
ton with such a degree OF hesitancy as IS
justified by my inexperience. The magnitude
willingly be spared the attempted perform
nnce Of a duty at once so difficult and all
important. The magnitude OF the issue and
the effect OF Its solution, In any way, Is alike
decide, In judicial capacity, any question,
even one involving an insignificant value be-
tween two OF my fellow men, in greater de-
gree, proportioned to the stupendous magnl-
tude OF this issue, do hesitate / am alarmed
action result Injustice, either to my State and
people, or the States creditors.
/ would not, sir, express any opinion on this
question If had no other relation to it than
as private citizen. Indeed, Ii could get
my consent would not be heard upon IT.. I
would be pleased to follow those who by
reason OF their mature years and Judgment
are the best qualified to adjudge the matter; !;
but see that they are divided; and, sir, tt ls
only after have considered !, the M matter ma s
| that ought to 60 forward and do the duty
assigned me by my constituents, that / now
proceed to address the Convention upon this
great question.
However imperfect my Judgment may be, /
am assured that the disinterested motives OF
| my heart will suggest what | may say, and
that no impure motive has found lodRment
there.
| know 1t goes unheeded and rebuked with
| the smile Of contem l,tuous incrednlity for q
man to dare to say he loves his country, that
| he is proud of It's fair name and that he would
give bis life for its defense; but, sir, my
heart so approves, and from it's fullness SO
dictates that / must be allowed to express
my undying love and devotion to Louisiana:
I am not only proud Of the achievements Of
1 It's statesmen and Warr1ors-my love Is a Ilv-
Ing love that looks forward with q hope full
Of zeal and confidence for the full fruition OF
all her splendid possibilities. Personal men
tion Is generally In bad taste; but the gravity
OF this occasion, and the example of speakers
who have preceded me, justify me id saying
that "a as an !, earnest nest OF ~ ny devotion g, 70 20
and on foot, and as a common sol
dier, too, through the valleys and over
the mountains Of Virginia, and as member
OF q gallant battalion OF men from this city
stood in line on the historic heights Of Get
| f4ych1lrn Thor II. nil II admit m MO
right to caution me that the fair fame OF the
State must be preserved shall decide for
myself In the premises, and. regardless Of
criticism, ! shall endeavor to conduct my
part Of the discussion with a scrupulous re-
/ gard for the feelings Of others; but shall not
hesitate to review the history of the past, call
things by their proper names and draw the
legitimate conclusions.
shall endeavor to take an 1mpersOnal view
of the subjects and events that I think It
necessary to review; and If In the excitement
necessarily Incident to such a discussion
should transgress the proper limits OF
decorum | now IN advance ask the privilege
of putting myself right:
Now, sir, the State debt has an intricate
connection with the history and condition Of
the State before the war. Then Louisiana
was In the noontide Of wealth and prosperity
Fleets OF magnificent steamboats, plowed
the richest harvests in the world; well or
Iganized schools and colleges dispensed t6
education and learning to our ingenious
youth; our cities and towns were rich beyonc
home Of the happy. Upon this wealth wax
predicated a part OF the present public debt
Then came on the war; almost all our wealth
was by 1t swept away. The institution o.
slavery was abolished, and resulted in q loss
to our people Of over $500, 900, 900. The loss o
three crops worth $150.0000O0 is the next item
of loss. All our railroads were destroyed, al
our river com merce was destroyed, as well az
all the splendid steamers that piled IN ou1
never lasIs hhe ed lay y Wass esI
uncultivated. Our public buildings we're de.
stroyed numbers Of magnificent sugar milk
that cost millions OF dollars were
dismantled and ruined 1sa ana the unre
and most fertile parts Of our State. Oul
]: country at this time presented the saddles
picture ever seen upon earth. It was desc
lation.. a gloom settled upon everything, ane
our grief was ever with US in the yelled faces
Of our mothers and sisters clad In sombr,
vestments OF mourning.
4 Thus it was, sir, that Louisiana was give1
over by the blindest fanaticism OF the age tt
be preyed upon by crew OF camp-folloWers
They knew no pity, and were relentless IL
their robberies. They were given in charg
the destinies Of 100000 people, and to thei
care was given the life of the State The.
may well be likened to a pack of hungry vul
lures. Louisiana lay prone upon the ground
like a bison stricken upon the plains. Ant
'4never stoops the soaring vulture on hil
quarry in the desert but another vulture
watching from his high aerial lookout
sees the downward plunge and fol
loWs-hrst a speck, and then {
vulture, till the air Is dark with pinionsI.
This is not a judicial question; it Is purel!
political-and in that capacity as the repre-
. sentatives OF the sovereignty OF the people
we will decide this question and offer oul
work to them for their approval. No conr
could properly inquire into this cause. Ihe 1f
evidence could never be taken. It is past tell y
sir: the steel has been driven too deep into tht
be hearts W Of % the pee people I and the grief and wront
can never be written. I was pleased with wit tn
sentiments of the gentleman from Plague
mines fMr. Warmothl, who addressed thl