Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-05-06
THE REPLY.

MAHOR'a OFPIoE, City OF New 0RLEANs,l
CITY HALL, April 26, 1862.
Flag. officer D. @. Farrag4t, o. S. Flagship
Hartford
Sir: In pursuance of a resolution which we
thought proper to take, out of regard for the
lives OF the women and children, who still
crowd the metropolis, Gen. Lowell has evacuat-
ed 1t with bis troops, and restored back to me
the administration of its government and the
custody of its power.
have in council with the City Fathers con-
sioered the demand you made Of me YESTERDAY
--of an unconditional surrender of the CITY,
coupled with requisition to hoist the Gag OF
the United States on the public ediices, sud haul
down the flag that still floats upon the breeze
from the dome OF this Hall, II becomes nv
duty TO transmit to you an Rnswer which is the
universal sentiment of my constituents, no Iees
than the prompting of my own heart, dictat es
to me on this solemn occasion, The city is
without the means Of defense, and is utterly
destitute Of the force and material that miEht
enable 1t to resist an oVerpoWeri5g aFmam ent
displayed in sight Of it.
am no military man, and possess no author
ity beyond that Of executing the municipal
laws of the City Of New Orleans. II would be
preeumptuous in me 10 attempt 10 lend ON army
to the field, if had one at command and 1
know still less how to surrender an undefended
place, held, as this is, at the mercy of your
gunners, and your mortars. To surrender such
place we're an idle end unmeaning ceremony.
The city is yours by the power OF brutal force,
not by my choice or the consent Of its iphabi-
tants. 1t Is for you TO determine what will be
the fate that awaits here. AS to hosting any
flag Of our own adoption aud allegiance, let
me cay TO you that the man lives not in our
midst whose hand and heart would not be par
alyzed at the mere thought Of such an act.-
Nor could find In my entire constituency go
desperate and wretched a renegade as would
dare 70 profsno With his hand the sacred emblem
Of our aspirations. .--a5
Sir, you have manifested sentiments which
would become one engaged in better cause
iAsn that to which you have devoted your sword
| doubt not that they spring from noble
though deluded nature, and know how to ap-
preciste the emotion which inspired them
You have gallant people to admlnstrate dur
Ing your occupancy Of this citJ--a people sensi.
tive to ell that can In the least afFec. their dig
nifty and self respect. Pay, Sir, do not fail 10
regard their eusceptibilities. The obligations
which shall assume in their name shall be re
liGiously complied with. You may trust their
honor, though you might not count on their
submieeicn 10 uDmerited wrong.
10 conclusion, | beg you to understand that
the people of New Orleans, while unable to re.
sist your force, do not allow themselves to be
insulted by the interference Of such as have
rendered themselves odious and contemplate
by their dastardly desertiOn of our cause In the
mighty struggle in which We are engaged, or
such ss might remind them too fOrcibly that
they are the conquered, and you the coDquerors.
Peace and order may be preserved without re-
sort to measures which could not OF this mo-
mens prevent. Your occupying the city does
ly repudiated, and that they yield the obedience
which the cOnquer0r ia entitled to extort from
| the conquered.
Respectfully,
JOHN F. MONROE, Mayor.