St. Landry democrat., 1879-03-08
Governor Nichols Resolve.
IN O. Times. March 1st. |

IN. O. Times, March 1st.
It is only too true, as the Times yes
terday morning stated, that Governor
Nichols is seriously contemplating a
withdrawal from the Executive chair OF
the State indeed, we feel justified in
asserting that he has finally and abso-
lutely determined to do so in certain
contingencies. The Picayune, however,
went very wide of the mark in its con
lectures as to the motives which lnflu-
ence the Governorin his presentpurpose.
Governor Nichols has not SO FAR mis-
understood the people OF Louisiana as to
imagine that they are dlssatlfled WIN
his personal conduct in office or that
they charge him or even suspected nun
of having wilfully neglected any means
within lis power of promoting their
interests and securing their welfare. 1t
would be strange, indeed, if the case
were otherwise, for only a few months
have ELAPSED since the people through,
ont the State, almost with one accord
and in the most formal and conspicuous
manner. declared that in proposing ana
advocating a Constitutional CONVENTION
thew wished also to declare themselves
IA Stimulating for the retention ct Coy
ernor Nichols at the head OF AFFAIRS IN
fine State. So positive and so universal
was this declaration that 1t would ne
simply ungrateful in Governor NICHOLS
to ignore it and, i'll point OF fact' we
know that he does not affect TO 40 SO,
but has come to the conclusion referred
to in a full knowledge and appreciation
of the feelings entertained tor him ny
the people,. The Governors resolve
that he will resign under certain con.
ditions is not tho result OF any Ill Will
toward the people or any doubt as to
their sentiments toward him, but IS the
outgrowth of convictions so profound
and principles so dear that it would be
imnossible for him to do otherwise than
as he has resolved to do.
Gov. Nichols position may be stated
briefly thus:
1st. He regards the present State DEBT
az sacred contract between the people
and the creditors, and the 1-2 mills OF
interest tax us an obligation which the
State cannot escape.
andy. He regards it as inexpedleent
and unbecoming, after all that mas
nassed, to enter upon the prepostefously
impossible task OF endeavorlng TO trace
State bonds in their present form oack
to the source from when they spIHng
with a view to establishing or attacking
their legitimacy. ,,,
Srdlv. Whilst REGARDS as practicable
and in fact favors an arrangement oe-
tween the State and the bond-hoiders
NV which the rate of interest may be re-
1nced to O. figure at which default or de,
law in the payment may be utterly and
fnreyer forestalled, he holds that IN DO
other particular can the people honor
ably or consistently touch the question
of the debt which they have once ratified
Nv their own voice and which the world
has accepted in good faith.
So fixed and rooted is Governor Mich,
oils in these views that he could moi
bring himself to be party to any VIOLA
ton Of the principles they involve, ano
what the Picayune has rather unWar-
rantably construed and repeated as I:
desire on his part to resign amounts
simply to the sentiment. more tl lIl
once expressed by him, that, s4ould the
people so outrage his sense OF risllt aIo
20 override his wishes and feelings as II
lake any steps looking to reputation
10 ruonid at once signify his contempt
and reDrobation of the act by RETURNS
from the government. 1t is not tha'
Goyernor Nichols believes that the
good and true people Of this State, Wht
Are largely in the majority, would sane
tion or permit the achievement OF tnt
States dishonor. We doubt, indeed, i
any serious hypothesis to that effect pa
ever occurred to him. The isuddel
alarm touching Governor Nichols ant
The nnssible calamity of his resignation
has doubtless grown out of the recen
reputation agitation in certain prom,
nent party circles as connected VIII
Che Governors we'll know! views an
oft-expressed intentions. SINCE the sno
iect has arisen, however, 1t is Yusb Il
we'll to state that Governor Nien -;
Geifaln and mans tSat, shoud the Purpose
Failing now existing in certain quarter
acduire strength enough to intiuenc
the forth coming Convention to any ac
Of nuhlic bad faith, the people will in
falfibly be confronted with the profoun'
and immeasureable disaster OF Govern1o
Nichols withdrawal from the ExecutlV
Chair.