The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1897-11-20
Election of Delegates to the Consti-
tutional Convention.

As the time is drawing near when de-
legates to the Constitutional Convention
are to be chosen, we revert to the sub
| Ject. Our readers may remember that
We expressed some views concerning il
several months ago.
We have not failed to perceive tie
na0dus Operandi by which the politicians
calculate to manage the election of del
egates and to crystalize their purposes
about the mutilated columns of IL party
col0red fundamental law.
/ That our present constitution needs
changes no thinking man will or can de-
ny, but that they will be- s2ade as desired
is greatly to be doubted SWhether they
gates to be deputed to the convention.
1t We are to have party politicians
sent to it, we certainly may expect
a party constitution. That such dOcu-
ment will fail to afford satisfaction
is as certain, as inexorable fate. No
party, as such, will ever make consti-
tuition which will satisfy those who an
tagonize it. We see this in ordinary
elections. The defeated party is never
contened although, er necessitdte it is
submissive, and for time quiescent.
This being an incOntrOvertible fact,
| it behooves all thinking men to make
| selections to the Constitutional Con-
| vention with great care, prudence and
circumvention. No State constitution
should be dwarfed by the limitations
of mere party views. 1t should rise to
the dignity of and be the embodiment
of craftsmanship.
1t cannot be made such by delegates
who are uuacquainted with the essen
| tial elements of cosmopolitan law.
| We want no such constitution as may,
by construction and ingenious interpre-
tation, be, in it's provisions, insulated
from the universal welfare, regardless
of political divisions among those who
are to live under it.
Whilst we in politics are thoroughly
Democratic, we condemn without re-
serve all efforts at making party CON
stitution.
We desire to aee EN- bodied in the or
gaDic law the wisest provisions that
have come to the knowledge of states
riOds of practical experience, and con-
secrated by utility and wisdom.
We want no epDemerai experiments in
party man8uvres and tactics. No gy-
rations of factional meniais and tools
Incorporated to locate party bosses aud
continue usurDed power over an un-
willing-a suffering aud Il groaning con-
stistuency. We need wise laws for en-.
during and permanent purposes, and
the voters, imbued with a sense of
their own happiness and welfare,
should see to it that, no upstart in state
craft should be delegated to tamper
with matters SO vital to them, and
which will not be permitted to staEd.
Candidates are already bobbing up who
never read constitution, and they
fux kho,y
have local influence and count for
something in party contest. Is this
proper standard for prudent people to
60 by?
The wires have been set and pulled
already by partizsns to suit the pur-
poses of the most obnoxious politicians
and usurpers of public authority. The
people en- na1SSe, are complaining. Will
they quietly submit to the rule of such
leaders as long as they see proper to
trample their sovereignty under their
feet 2
Shakespeare said, and it is true, that
"There is tide in the affairs of men,
Which taken at the food, leads to fortune:
Omitted, all the voyage Of their life
Is bound in shadows and in miseries."
Byron said actions are ep0chs, and We
would impress it indelibiy on the pub
lie mind that now is the time for decisive
action.
The permanent welfare of all the
people, regardless of mere party. should
arouse their sleepless vigilance and inn
pei them to prudent action in the selec-
tion Of delegates to the Constitutional
Convention. No atonement will be suffi-
cient to appease and satisfy badly
governed and tyranniZed people.
Select your men of suitable learning,
imbned with pariotic pride, rather than
partisaa ambition-men that will defy
demagOgues and erect monument as
enduring as the pyramids, ii possible.
A constitution is not party platform
on which vaulting and ambitious
demagogues and mere politicians may
disDOrt their.tricks.
Bear it in mind that any man is an
enemy to ysQr prosperity who, to gain
a sim pie party purpose, would frame
Constitution that would dissatisfy, at
the least, one half the people,
--eD31-
y n.,nf ~ lu