worked and cultivated under the compensated labor regulations of the distinguished commander of this military department. A desirable result will soon be generally attained, if the difficult matter is taken in hand as a practical question, free from the perplexities that cannot fail to encompass it were a return to the old system among us conceivable or possible. To profit, as it is in our power at once to do, by our situation, we must dismiss dreams of the past and accept accomplished facts as they are, and as they are evermore certain to remain. In the nature of things, if we will only act as becomes sensible people, the greatness we have momentarily had eclipsed will be ours again, and secured to us by a more binding and lasting tenure than ever before. It must be based on a devotion to the Union, on a love of liberty to all men, and on a spirit of justice and humanity. The losses, if any, incurred by this change in our labor system by the truly loyal citizens, will doubtless be properly returned to him in due season by a generous government.
At an early day an election will be held for members to a Convention for the revision of our State Constitution. The importance of such an election can scarcely be exaggerated. Every citizen is deeply interested in the organic law and that it may in all respects faithfully mirror the wishes of the people and harmonize with the spirit of the age, the people must themselves exercise all due circumspection in the selection of delegates to represent them. The Convention will doubtless provide for an early election of a Legislature. On the meeting of the latter, the absorbing labor question will at once demand its most serious attention and the importance of this alone will appeal strongly to the minds of all good citizens, so that in the selection of members none unworthy from vicious habits or educational unfitness may, be chosen. With the natural advantages Louisiana possesses, in her inexhaustible soil her genial climate, her domination of the river of rivers, her facilities for commerce, manufacturing and the most varied agricultural pursuits, nothing can prevent her present population, or, if they will not do it, then the emigration that will speedily supersede them, from soon becoming what our people once aspired with reason to be, namely: the most flourishing portion of the most powerful of nations. Proper legislation, such as we may look forward to obtain before many months, will enable the people to profit by the new life that is being infused into our social system; and in presence of the change no man of observation, enterprise and enlightenment need have a discouraging apprehension. I shall do all that can be required of me in the meantime to put society into healthful and useful activity, and if our foundries, our workshops, our manufactories and shipyards remain closed, no charges of indifference to them on my part will be with justice preferred against me.
No person able to work will be allowed, with my consent, to be a burden on the community; the condition of man is to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow, and useless, unproductive drones must comply with the law of our being or remove from among us.
The cause of public education shall find in me a watchful and zealous friend; everything needful for its support and extension within the sphere of my duties will be done for it. The blessings of education ought not, as heretofore, to be excluded from the blacks. It is our duty to render them such assistance towards their education and enlightenment as will fit them for the higher conditions and privileges of which they may in time show themselves deserving.
In my appointments to office I shall scrupulously exact, as requisites in candidates, loyalty to the Union, sobriety, industry, integrity and special fitness. The constitutional prohibition against the holding of two or more offices by the same individual will be rigorously enforced.
