Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-06-08
Mnn;cinal Revolution at New Orleans.


report dreadful state of affairs in that CITY, a
Vigilance Committee has been formed, men
armed the arsenal seized and held with loaded
cannon, and tue determination avowed to seize
the government of the city and to put Lynch
law in force. The first despatch says:
"The Reform Revolution growing out OF the
numerous riots and assassinations IN this CITY
broke out last night in the formation and organ
zation of a powerful Vigilance Committee, who
have taken possession of the city with the deter-
mination of enforcing lynch law.
"The Vigilance Committee, among whom are
mauv of our most respectable citizens, took pos
session in large numbers of the Arsenal in JACK
son SQUARE and this morning the Vigilance Ex-
ecutiye Committee call on all the law and order
loving citizens to join them, and announce their
determination to carry their measures out.
"Nothipg else has transpired yet, except that
cannon are loaded and posted about the Arse
nal. and about two hundred armed men are on
guard.
"The Vigilance Committee have presented an
ticket for Mayor and Municipal Of
fcers, in antagonism to the rufiapism OF both
the old parties"
Another despatch at half past eleven o'clock
the same day says;
general Tracy's division of militia is called
out. The Common Council are in secret session
and in much confusion. The Council have pos
session of the First District Armory, with only
ten rounds of ammunition. A battle is expected
this afternoon between the Vigilant Committee
and the city authorities"
A third despatch at noon says
sThe excitement continues to increase, and
both the authorities and the Vigilance Commit
tee are arming for the conflict. The militia are
at their armories engaged in making ball cart
ridges, the Vigilance Committee having posses
sion of the arsenal The Mayor has just COM
pleted reading the riot act at the headquarters
of the Vigilance Committee"
In explanation of this deplorable state OF at
fairs the Baltimore American says: "Ihls move
ment has been made in view of the approaching
municipal election, which takes place on MONDAY,
next, and has been effected by the managers OF
the party which has nominated the independent
ticket upon which q. T. Beauregard is named
for Mayor. New Orleans, it is well known, has
been American in its municipal government tor
some years past, while the State government Is
Democratic. In view of the alleged outrages
and violence which deferred many persons OF the
Democratic party from voting, the Democratic
State Legislature, some time ago, passed law 70
regulate elections in New Orleans. Ii was OF
very stringent nature, and put the conduce OF
the elections under the control OF state ornoer.
The attempt to carry it into effect last iaii was,
however, failure. The election itself was a
quiet one, but it was preceded by acts which Ell
fectually intimidated certain portion OF the
population from going near the polls. The In
tn thls
state of things.
"There does not appear to have been any I'M
mediate proyocation for the formation OF the
Committee. Acts of violence have not oeen
more rife than usual. The only political murder
which has occurred recently was the assasslna-
ton, by three unknown men, OF Abraham fhi-
lips, a leader among the fighting men OF the a.
merican party, as he was walking along the
streets. He was shot and stabbed repeatedly,
receiving eight wounds, either of which would
have been mortal. Who the parties were that
committed the deed has been so far involved in
Uncomfortable mystery With this exception all
the other acts of violence recently occurring in
that city appear to have been such as usually
take place among depraved and heterogeneous
population. 1t would seem, therefore, that the
persons who formed the Vigilance Committee
have done so in anticipation of what might &C.
cur at the approaching election. We fear they
will find when too late that they have committed
q great mistake"
The following dispatches were received from
New Orleans on Friday last, the 4th.:
SA. M-Our city continues in state OF great
excitement, aud collision and bloodshed is mo-
mentarily anticipated. The Vigilance Commit
tee have established their headquarters at the
Arsenal and have bean engaged during the night
in erecting Cotton barbados to resist the at
tempt expected to be made by the city authori-
ties to regain possession of the Arsenal jack
son Square presents quite warllke appearance
with its cotton defences.
The Vigilance Committee having possession OF
all the ammunition of the city the authorities
have been compelled to await the manufacture
of cartridges before commencing hostilltles, but
are now ready for the assault on the Arsenal,
with large force Of military. In the mean
time efforts are making to restore harmony, and
prevent collision. Political animosity being
the gist of the difficulty, this is no easy matter
on the eve of an election.
1OA. M.-The excitement increases, and mil
| itary preparations for the conflict are every
where to be seen. Old firearms are beng hunt-
ed up, and armed men are moving about in every
direction. Both parties are making extensive
preparations, and bloody conflict is anticipated
before the day is over.
The Mayors forces are unorganized, while the
| Vigilance Committee have appointed MAJ or Dun,
can, late of the Army, as their commander, and
have been largely reinforced. They are well
organized and drilled, and refuse to listen to any
propositions for the restoration OF harmony. AL
business is suspended.
The city papers are divided on the position Of
city affairs. The Picayune and Crescent sustain
the city authorities, and denounce the Vigant
organization The True Delta and the Delta ia
yor the Vigilant Committee. The Bee and Bull
letin record the movements of both parties, but
have as vet expressed no opinion on the subject,
remaining neutral.
2P. M.-The Vigilant Committee are com
posed of men of all parties, and it cannot there
fore be regarded as political movement. They
have been largely reinforced this morning, and
are countenanced and sustained In their move
ments by large number of our most responsible
citizens.
Fifty men have just taken possession of Cana
street, with two cannon, and are fully armed
This force is reported to be organized by mer
who are marked by the Vigilance Committee
and who dread that they will be the first victims
of its power.
1t is now rumored that compromise has beer
effected, and that the city authorities agree. tc
surrender twenty-five noted ruttiens for punish
ment, and that police force OF i've hundred OF
each side be sworn in. Your correspondent wa:
refused admission at the City Hall, and no otficia
information can be obtained. Monday next il
the municipal election day, and it is important
that some settlement should be effected before
that time.
4P. M.-The Vigilant Committee have tri
umphed without boodshed the Mayor having
resigned the municipal authority into their
hands.
The city is now quiet, and the crowd has with