The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-06-25
SHALL THE MAJORITY RULE 2

LIST shows greater unanimity on the ques-
ton by the democrats of the Ward than
was ever exhibited before on any political
question. In 1883 twill. be remembered
that the primary election for delegates to
the Democratic Parish nominating con-
yentiou was a most exciting one, and
every effort used to get the qualified yo-
ters to the polls. The vote polled of
white democrats at that election was two
hundred and forty, and the list of names
we publish is over two hundred, showing
an overwhelming majority for the demo-
cratic principle that the people should be
allowed to determine this question. for
themselves.
Many Others residing in the ward favor
the proposition, bnt they have, for per-
sonal reasons, refused to sign the list
Many of the people desired the petition
to be forwarded to our members OF the
General Assembly, but conservative coun-
sci prevailed and that portion OF 1t was
stricken from the petition. The high es-
timation in which our Representatives,
are held by large majority Of the sign
ers of the list is here exhibited, for their
position against the Lottery amendment
had been SO firmly taken that their con-
stituents, although differing from them,
did not ask them to change. They were
elected at time when this Lottery ques-
! ton was not an issue and did not there
fore have an opportunity of knowing the
will of their constituency. They were
expected to follow their conscientious
convictions on this subject, as we'll as all
others. and nowhere do we hear them
blamed for SO doing.
, But while the members of the General
] Assembly are thus left untrammeled it
must not be forgotten that the sovereign
people have the right to petition and ex-
press their wishes on any subject OF legls'
laton that affects their veal or woe, and
> it ought not to be construed by them OF
, any one else as an affront to the dignity
of the position they hold. 1t would be
sad day for Republican institutions wher
the people in their sovereignty woult
II cringe to power like craven towards
l, afraid to express their opinions to thei
II Representatives OR any other officials wh'
is might be temporarily in power owe
l. them. In the dark days of Louisiana
history President Grant did not even re
fuse to hear the suffering people of thl
d State recount their wrongs either by com
e, mittees or petition, and ask relief at NJ
If hands. We do not now recall slngl
= instance, either in the General or Stat
governments of the Union, where pet
's tions and memorials of the people hav
u not been received by the legislative de
;. partment of the government and treate
y with ditferential respect. This right ha
at no time been abridged, and so far
~ we know the Representatives of the pet
pie have not taken personal umbrage att
q. Representatives are but the electe
&c agents of the people, and are expected
comply with the known and expresse
u wishes of their onstituency-and whel
ne this wish has been made known, like b
C. fore or after election, in an nnmistakab
he way by known majority, then it is tt
J.. bounden duty of the agent to yield h
-, individual views to those of his constit
N ency or resign his position. We do 81
= that it is nndemocratic for any memb
!, of the Legislature to arbitrarily refuse
submit any question of Importance to
constituency for their ratification or
X lection, whenever petitioned by majc
"A ity to do so. The creature should
and cannot be creator than the creator
Id the Legislator should not be above tho
lte who elected him, and temporarily inv
lse ted him with power to perform certa
re. duties for them.
/. AS our members Of the Legislature ha
- been left to pursue the even tenor OF tn
-. way, and act as they see fit in referer
:, to the submission of the Lottery amer
IA ment, the expression in the petition IL
-, it was unuemocratic to arbitrarily refl
to submit the question does not apply
them, nor was it intended, from what
on know of the signers of the petition, to
at fleet in any way upon their acts-or
J.. mocracy. We have a just pride in {
representatives at the capital, and VIII
'ai we differ from them conscientiously,
he this question, is no reason why we or
, is people should hold them in less estin
en- ton for their ability, integrity, and fid
of ity to what they consider to the best
If terests of the State.
adj We hope it has not reached that per-
has in our history, when intolerance and b
D a otry will stalk over the fair land of L.
isiana, and strike down man for
opinions sake. If it is expected that
ShiS tolerance, such as has been exhibited
lie the State for the last few weeks will =
nd. converts to those who are so bitterly
} in posed to the submission of the Lott
4 ~. amendment to the people, they are n
has taken. fanaticisih VIII lail 10 llh'
of resting place here, and its votaries V
edl- sooner or later find out that louisa
,nn- above all the other States in this Uni
me- will preserve the right of free thong
the free speech and free action on all q
fect tiops of conscience Let us have tOlt