Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-08-23
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.

4
some time, In discussing the merits Of
the Constitution Of 1870. While some
Of our contemporaries take the reason
able ground that the instrument, like
every other, from the Constitution Of
the United States to that Of q State,
can DO perfected by the adoption Of
such amendments rs the necessities OF
the times require, they oppose the ex-
IRENE view Of others, who, because
some of the features Of the C0nstitu-
ton Of 1879, do not suit them, would
have aconvention called to frame an
other which, when completed, would
surely contain clauses That wouldneed
to BIO amended too.
If new Constitutions are to be
framed every year or two, we don't
see that any Constitution Is needed at
all.
70 keep pace with the ever chang
Ing demands of the people, u set Of
Representatives might be elected,
who would assume the sovereign pow
er and attempt to legislate along to
suit the fancied requirements Of the
hour,
The millennium Legislators would
then come. They could pass IN ordi-
nance calling m election whenever
they pleased, or adopt IN net entitled
nm net for the better government Of
Sleepy Hollow or any other burg, or
to create "a new parish here by abolish.
ing another there. III short, the
curse ofspeciallegislation would Again
be in full blast, coupled with the I'M
limited taxation Of The people. The
permanent convention could do, ut
will, everything that Is good and ev-
thing that is bud.
What does astonish us in this sweep
ing condemnation Of the Constitution
which Is INDUCED by q number OF
journals, is, that the charge contains
but very few specifications,
If specifications were brought forth
the objections would then be open to
discussion and public opinion might
have u chance to sustain the objec-
tons or set them aside.
And, If public opinion should con
clude that the objections to the new
Constitution are 80 numerous Ms to
render that instrument powerlcss fol
good government of the people, then
we imagine, everybody would favor
the call for another convention.
SO far, we have only seen the Jul
dietary system attacked, and in on,
opinion defended quite successfully.
We have also read, in the Monroe
Bulletin, II communication signed
"Bena Vascum," which, during the
course Of n dissertation Of two columns
and o half, opened by q wholesale
condemnation Of the Constitution, fl.
naIly resolves itself in conceding thu,
the Bill of Rights is like the one OF
almost every other State; and in ask-
ing whether it would not be fair tc
allow the foreigner-who II declared
an elector after residence Of two
years, preceding the declaration o
his intention to become u citizen--tt
be eligible to the General Assem-
bly,, without being required as full.
tledged citizens are, to have beer
for five years a resident Of the State
Until better reasons are offered
than those we have seen advanced
thus far, we will consider it our duty
to counsel the people to oppose {
Constitutional Convention though w
| will not oppose the submission O
amendments which could be fully
discussed before the bar of public
opinion, and then be either adopted
or rejected.
We see no clause in the Constitu
tion that works such injury to thu
commonwealth that cannot be en-
dured until the people will have ha(
time topass upon its projected amend
ment.
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