Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-05-05

Tne folloWihB Is the reply VI she AayOA
of New Orleans:
CTz HALL, April 2s, 1852.
Flag O@sr FayTaggt, Unitsd States Flag
ship Hartford:
SR-In pursuance Of resolution which
we thought proper to take out Of regard for
the lives Of the women and children Eho
still crowd the great metropolis, General
Lowell has evacuated it with his troops,
and restored back to me the Administration
Of its government and the custody Of its
honor.
have, in council with the City Fathers,
considered the demand you made of me yes
terdsy of an unconditional surrender of the
city, coupled with q req1iiition to hoist the
flag Of the United States on the public edif
ces and haul down the flag that still floats
upon the breeze from the dome Of this hall
It becomes my duty TO transmit to you an
answer, which is the universal sentiment of
my constituents, and which the promptings
of nv own heart dictate to me on this SAD
and solemn occasion.
The city is without the means of defence,
and is utterly destitute Of the force and ma
terial that might enable it to resist an over
powering armament displayed in sight Of it.
/ am no military man, and possess no military
authority beyond that Of executing the mu-
nicipal laws Of the city OF New Orleans. It
would be presumptuous in me to attempt 70
lead an army to the field if had one at
command, and know still less how to sur
render an andefended place, held, as this is,
at the mercy Of your gunnSrs and your NOR
tars. To surrender such place were an
idle and unmeaning ceremony. The city is
yours by the power of brutal force-not BY
the choice or consent Of its inhabitants. Il
is for you 10 determine what will be the fate
that awaits as here.
As shoisting any flag not Of our own sdop-
ton and allegiance, let me say to you that
the man lives not in our midst whose hand
and heart wOdld not be paralyzed at the mere
thought of sReh an act, nor could I find in
my entire constituency 30 wTetehed and des-
perats renegade as would dare to profane
with his hand the sacred emblem Of our as
pirations.
Sir, you have manifested sentiments which
would become one engaged IN better cause
than that to which you have devoted your
sword. I doubt not but that they spring
from noble though deluded nature, and
know how to appreciate the motives which
inspire them. You have gallant people to
adminisrste during your occupancy Of this
city-a Ueople sensitive 70 all that can in the
least affect their digsity and sel-Eespect,
Pray, sir, do not fail to regard their suscepti-
bilities.
The obligations which shall sssume in
their name shall be ysligiously complied
with. You may trust their honor, though
you might not count On their submission to
unmerited wrong.
In conclusion, beg you to understand
that the people Of New Orleans, while unable
to resist your forcs, do not allow themselves
to be insulted by the Interference Of such as
have rendered themselves odious and con-
temptible by their dastardly desertion Of our
cause in the mighty struggle in which we are
engaged, or such as might remind them too
powerfully that they are the conquered and
you the conqueTOrs.
Peace and order may be preserved without
resort t. measures which could not at this
moment prevent. Yonr occupying the city
does not transfer their allegiance from the
government Of their choice to one which they
have deliberately repudisled- They yield
the obedience which the conqueroF is entitled
to extOrt from the conquered.
Respectfully,
fSiRnedl JOIN F. MoHRoE,
s5t Mayor.