Year: 1877

Inc peOpIes ana Dy 30 doing the great
expense and questionable policy of call
ing constitutional convention at this
time will be avoided.


We think the disastrous fate Of the
five amendments voted upon at the last
election ought to satisfy everybody of
the impraoticability OF such q method
Of amendment.


The demagogues Of both parties made
a handle OF these proposed amendments
in this parish, and we suppose else
where In the State, and they will do so
in the future If the opportunity be again
offered. It was no uncommon thing
here to find politicians that had favored
the amendments and helped bring them
before the people, working secretly to
defeat them by Issuing tickets broadcast
against them.


And then, il several amendments be
submitted to vote at the same time, the
confusion consequent seems to be SO
great, at least In the case of those
recently submitted, that the Board OF
Can vassers cannot reach conclusion as
to how the vote was cast.


We think q constitutional convention
the only method OF accomplishing the
changes imperatively demanded. Or
these changes we shall have much to say
hereafter.


Patriot Democrat


Let us have constitutional conven-
tion, and let that convention wipe out
the numerous bad clauses inserted by
the Radical rascals, and adopt a con-
stitution prescribing and embracing an
educational and property qualification,
and we will be satisfied.


While we agree with our friend Lam
bert, that. the educational and property
qualification would be a good thing,
yet we have serious doubts whether
such move would be treating our col
ored Democrats right. Our. contempo-
rary should remember that for the first
time since the war the colored people
rallied around the Democratic standard
in 1876 and fought earnestly and zeal
ously for the right, and that nine-tenths
of these honest colored men are not
educated. Would IL be just to these
men, as well as hundreds of uneducated
white men, who, while they are too poor
to buy lands, aid the State with their
muscle to become prosperous, to deprive
them the privilege of voice in select
ing their rulers. Besides this, our con-
temporary should remember that the
Northern Republicans have become
Jealous of the strength OF the South in
Congress, and would make move OF
this kind an excuse to agitate a redue-
tion Of our representation in Congress.
1t is our opinion that no excluding
clauses should be put in the new consti-
tuition.


shreveport Times.1


We have received q letter from the
Hon. w. Jasper Blackburn, of Claiborne,
who was q member Of the Constitutional
Convention of 1868, in favor Of the call
ing OF convention to form new con-
stftution. Mr.. Blackburn says that the
present constitution was not intended
as a permanent thing, but to last only
until the State should be got properly
back into the Union, with the restora-
tion of all her rights. Mr.. Blackburn
calls our attention to the fact, and
thus TefreShes Our memory, that he
and several other II EN- mbers of the con-
vention endeavored to get liberal senti-
ments engrafted on the constitution,
but were borne down by the ignorant
of the convention. We appreciate Mr..
Blackburn's suggestion that the con-
servative press, In denouncing the Radi-
Gals, should not embrace in its denun-
citation those Republicans who, both
early and late. have attempted to stem
the tide Of Radicalism. There will, of
course, now be G. better feeling toward
all such who henceforth act with the
Conservative party.


We have also noted difference of
opinions as to the time when conven-
tfon shall be called. This, too, is a
subject on which men s minds will hon.
est1y differ, We have advocated call
at the next session OF the Legislature.
Others think that it shonld be post
poned until after another election. We
80 ,nIr lnI to air xrys1
consent to any plan which may be
adopted after q fair discussion. That
discussion is going on all over the State.
We observe that there is very little OBJ
lection to some kind Of amendment at
as early day as practicable.


Assumption Pioneer.l


WORK FOR THE LEGISLATURE.


Many of our confreres throughout the
State are advocating the urgent neces-
sity for convention to remodel our
constitution. No one denies that it is
very defective, and many changes could
be made which would improve 1t great
deal and render it much more accept
able to the people Of the State. Under
existing circumstances we think 1t ad-
ments for the present, as we opine that
such a call would bring to the front
much opposition on the part of the Re-
publicans. Our motives would be
aspersed, and the growing confidence
of the masses of the colored voters in
the desire of the Democratic party to
protect their interests would be de-
stroyed. Let US make haste slowly,
and manage the affairs Of the State SO
as to secure the confidence of all its
citizens, and when the time comes for
changing the State constitution it will
excite no alarm and meet with slight
opposition.


In the meantime there are many
abuses to be corrected, and many laws
which may be advantageously changed
at the approaching session Of the Leg
islature. Much was necessarily left un-
done last winter for the want Of con-
fidence as to the results of the revolu-
tion then pending, and afterwards, for
the want of time to mature the neces-
sary measures.


The district court system should be
reorganized; the small districts, large
- ;,yIrrao on6 hn nf