The Opelousas courier., 1897-11-27
The Proposed Amendments, Etc.

Our readers will excuse us, we hope,
for the frequency of our comments on
the attitude of the administration fol.
| lowers and serritors. We write and pub
lisi on the subject because we would
have all men of independent minds who
may be actuated by motives of patrio.
tlsm, and are looking to the good gov.
| erment OF their descendants when they
snail have passed away, to act wisely
Unfortunately, there are very man,
who, agitated by the hubbub and
whirlwinds of politics which pass over
communities at intervals: fail to real
lZe that they are evaDescent, and that
II they pOrtend anything, it Ia an Gle
mental disturbance-the precursor Of a
possible storm.
The masses. hav-- unwitingly become
spring boards, from which vaulting pol
itcians leap into power, and as often
as they find themselves deceived, and
realize their disappointment, they list.
en- with qniescent credulity to the gilt
terlng generalities and cajOlery of their
unsrupul0ns leaders, and confidently
intrust them again.
''The web in the leaves,.the spider weaves
Ia like the charm hope hangs DER men;
Though often she sees it broke by the breeze,
She weaves the bright tissue again.
The leading politicians of Louisiana
betteCe they have reached a point in our
affairs when it is feasible to perfect n
coup d'Etdt. by which majorities must
become as flexible under their inter-
pretation of constitutional law, as were
the citizens of Spain half century
ago.
Those who bellows that constitu
ton is an insnrmouutable barrier to
official encroachment, will do we'll to
consult history and learn something
worth knowing from political expe-
rience.
Reflect Oh tue following observations
based on authentic history:
The Spanish Constitution OF 1845
blazed throughout with glittering gen
eralities, but it contained not one prin-
ciple that, to Interpretation and con-
structiOD, was impassab sablC-insurn,Ou
able.
The consequence was and is that
those in authority da!lied with the
rights and supposed privileges Of the
people, to suit themselves. There re-
manned 20 remedy but in bloody rev.
olution. Are we in any. better condi-
tion to-day9
What Difference is paid to articles 1875
and 1856 of tho State constitution Do
we not see both ignored. despised and
tTampieu on, unueF tne power OF InDec
who have been foisted into official po
sitiOn 7 Even our legislators have sue
coined to this condition. and every
where in the parishes we behold
partizans striving to silence the Consti-
tuition for the success of faction and
to crafty and do honor to an usnrper.
The Constitution of Spain blazed
with declarations of popular ideas and
principlea, and set forth guarantees en-
tirely appeasing and satisfactory to
the people. Yet, attached to each of
those plausible PROVISIONS, was a clause
pregnant with significance and fraught
with danger to the rights and liberties
of the people. Our case to-day.
The approval and adoption of the
Constitution, put them out to sea,
where without chart or compass, they
drifted and are to-day being tossed by
the surges Of royal prerogative and an
terpreted authority. Will this people
blindly yield to such IL possible danger
to Themselves and their immediate off
springi The Democrats of the days
Of Jefferson and Madison adhered to
the principle that majorities had the
right to rule and that all Just po,rers of
q government were derived from those
who are to be governed. Are we ad-
vocating this cause to-day9 Pause and
think.