The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-14
THE CAUCUS AND THE CONVENTION

For more than a week past both the Times
and hcanunc have been inveighing very bit
terly against what they call the arbitrary
dictation OF the Democratic caucus ON the
convention bill, and urging every argument
their ingenuity could devise to break it.
Members have been told that they were
recreant to their duty In yielding their in
diyidIal opinions for the sake Of harmony
and concert Of action in the party, and that,
in 80 doing, they deprived their constituencies
Of all representation whatever.
The calling Of convention these journals
declare, Is not q party question, notwithstand-
ing the fact that the constitution Of 1868 was
denounced by the party Immediately after its
passage, has been repudiated by 1t ever since.
and its repeal promised by the party In every
canvass made since It was put upon the State
by Federal bayonets. 1t was a party Ques-
ton at Baton Rouge, where. by an over
whelming majority. the Democratic party
declared In favor Of convention, and it has
been such ever since. and no one ever thought
OF regarding 1t as anything else till our con-
temporaries made the issue.
In spite OF their arguments and expostula-
eAObrp ~ pAVhicCo w AOAaih buCIl uuJll Slb
convention Is called.
But it is quite refreshing to witness the zeal
with which the Hcdy,Wsc, particularly, stands
UP Tor the dignity Of personal judgment and
the popular intelligence and capacity in the
matter OF constitution making. The dear old
nc, that stalwart and ever reliable cham
pion Of the dear people, is altogether unwill-
ing TO conoede that such thing as repre-
sentation Is known to our republi-
can system. The only method it ad-
mits OF altering or constructing alb
aaisio fundamental law, is byamendment
and the direct vote Of the people. It CONSTITUTES
az grievous affront the bare suggestion that
the people Of this State cannot be got to vote
intelligently and advisedly upon three or four
columns OF amendments, Notwithstanding the
fact that fully one-half of our population Is
composed Of ignorant negroes who can
neither read nor write.
1t would not be unjust or unreasonable,
however, to maintain the same proposition
with reference to the people Of any State OF
this Union or Of any foreign country. II the
PIC. will take the trouble to read such writer's
as Blackstone and Montesquieu 1t will find it
lhiu OOWu ny tIloIu JuhL IHeT0 are HlhHy CnlDgS
the people can do better and more effectually
through representatives and in representa-
tive assemblies than by popular action. One
Of the things, above all Others they can do
best, and can only do. safely and wisely,
through representatives selected for their
wisdom and purity Of charac-
ter Is the formation of fundamental
law for the government Of society and the
protection Of life and property. All written
constitutions have been 50 formed, and ex-
perience demonstrates that this is the only
practicable way in which the people can exer-
else their great inherent power Of self-gov-
eminent to their advantage and protection.
We see In the reassertion Of this great princi-
pie of our Republican institutions no imputa-
tion Of the people, and none but caviler
and sophistical special pleader would ever SO
construe 1t.
In any event, the people, by every testi-
mony that popular sentiment can afford.
have declared with singular unanimity in
favor Of this method, and against the amend
ment system that our neighbors commend so
highly, despite its repeated failures In this
and other States. All the Legislature has to
do Is to carry out the manifest desires Of the