The Portland daily press., 1863-08-13

Government loyal TO the Union. lnese as
sociations, through joint Committee repre-
senting them all, have applied to the Military
Governor of Louisiana, and asked him to call
a convention of the people OF Louisiana
They asked me to call that convention upon
basis upon which every white man should
have equal rights with every other white man.
They asked me to make registry of all the
loyal citizens of Louisiana, and then to call
this convention. Without determining myseii
to act upon that application, so far listened
to 1t as to order a registration OF every loyal
citizen of Louisiana, OF every man. VINO would
take the oath of allegiance TO the United
States, and repudiate all allegiance TO the Con-
federacy and who would declare that he took
that oath freely and voluntarily, and for the
purpose of reorganzing the civil government
of Louisiana in conformity with the Constitu-
ton and laws of the United States. These
associations, embracing most of the uncondi-
tional loyal men Of those parishes within our
lines, had iuaugurated these measures as the
mode in which they preferred to return to
the Union.
The planters in some of the parishes natu-
rally desired to return to and restore the Con-
stitution of 1852. They claim that ii is still
in force, and they do not desire Il Convention
of the people who might make radical changes
in 1t, and equalize the basis of representation,
and make il more in accordance with the spirit
OIL lnP aye. IHtN. tnt pittittis- NohtNhN han''
the acts of the Convention that framed the
ordinance of secession and the constitution OF
1861 were merely void, that the constitution OF
1852 is still in force and wish for a Legislature,
convened by military authority, on the basis of
thetspportionment under an act framed under
that constitution. The Union associations ON
the other hand, claim, as convention OF
delegates from the people assumed TO frame
the act OF secession, that the act Of renewal of
inst
iality of delegates fresh from the people. Up
on this difference of opinion the committee of
planters went TO the President.
He did not say to them that he was unwil-
ing Louisiana should return to the Union. but
he replied to them virtually that he had rela-
BILE information that large portion of the
Union citizens of Louisiana preferred CON
vention of the people of the State, to call OF
the Legislature based upon the convention OF
1S52,-that he was not then prepared to de-
eide this question lie knew that on the 10th
Of June. while the armies of General Banks
were investing Port Hudson, the rebels had
temporarily re-occupied all but four of five of
the parishes of the State that il would be well
TO wait until these were re-occupied by our
forces, and he said he did not see how granting
their request at that time could aid, and he did
see how 1t might embarrass the operations of
our troops. He preferred to wait and see
to see how the loyal men of Louisiana them
selves desired to re-organize civil govern
ment in accordance with the Constitution and
Laws of the United States.
Now, gentlemen. this is all the refusal that
has been made with regard to any effort for
the State of Louisiana to return to the Union.
/ have with me resolutions that | received
from New Orleans to-day passed by the Unit
ed Association of all the associations OF Union
men in New Orleans. | will not trouble you
with reading them. RESOLUTIONS, read the
Resolutions.) / viii ask my friend, Mr.. Webb,
the Chairman of the meeting, TO read them
On me- Mr.. Webb read the resolutions as fol-
lows
At u meeting Of the Union Association Of New Or
leans, held at the Lyceum Hall, July 18th, 1863 the
following preamble and resolutions, offered by Mr.
James Z. Jewell, were unanimously adopted
Whereas. the Unionsts Of New Orleans have heard
with surprise aud Indignation Of the attempt on the
part Of certain gentlemen elaimngto represent the
planting interest Of louisiana to induce the FEEDER
freenen Of this State by putting In force constitu
ton, the principles of which utterly at variance
with the sentiments Of large majority Of the loyal
people, and repngnant 10 the spirit Of the age;
And whereas we have read with the liyilest feel
ings OF satisfaction the noble utterances of be-
loved Chief Magistrate, in reply to and in rebuke
Of the seifconstiuted slavery preserving delega
ton. and In approval Of the efforts Of the truly 10y
al In securing constitution based upon the princi-
Resoieed, That the Union Association of New Or
leans deprecate all efforts ing for their end the
organization of state Government, under the Con-
sttution in force prior to the outbreak Of the pres
ent rebellion and
Re.oired, further, That they will oppose, by all
Legitimate means, every having for its OBJ
ject the recognition Of slavery in the Constitution
that may hereafter be formed.
On motion Of Mr.. Enos Smith, twas
Resotred, That the foregoing preamble and resolu-
lions be published in the New Orleans Era, and that
af lao zsarnnd har fha .gf
Association, and transmitted to his Excellency
~ scnuPpERr, President pro TEN.
JAMES +. JEWELL, Assistant Secretary.
present these resolutions TO You in answer
to your call for them, simply for the purpose
OF showing the difference Of opinion that ex-
lists in Louisiana, and to show you that while
the committee which made this application to
the President for an election TO be ordered up
on the basis of the constitution of ~ repre-
scented fifteen or twenty men in person. and ii
you please, the interests and the views of a
very much larger number of respectable,
wealthy and influential planters Of Louisiana,
that the members of the Union Associations
entertain very different opinions.
These Union Associations embrace in their
ranks nearly every man that voted in New Or
leans and Jefferson for the representatives that
were received upon the floor of Congress for
those districts many thousands of citizens Of
New Orleans and of almost every loyal man in
that city. don't undertake to decide between
these parties. | do not know how 1t may be
decided by those authorized 10 instruct me.
may entertain one opinion or another, but
deem il due to truth and justice, and the good
of my country, TO yindicate them upon this
unfounded assertion that there has been any
thing but the hand of welcome extended to
any State that wanted TO return and renew its
loyalty. IL there was any reluctance, any hes
tation in answering to this call and demand,
! IL was, as you may see with the aid of the ex-
PLANTATION | have given you, only that the
| President might have time to ascertain the
facts; that public opinion might settle: that
he might decide definitely as TO what terms he
might impose. or what the wishes OF the union
| citizens OF Louisiana might be as to the mode
in which they would renew their allegiance
and devotion to the Union.
have wearied you, gentlemen, but with my
familiarity with some OF these questions, par
| ticularly appertaining to the State of Louisi-
ana; with my knowledge that this application
has been misrepresented aud the facts misstat-
ed have felt il due to the cause of truth to
devote some lime to the explanation of this
matter
Louisiana ,ciu return to the Union, and in
the same mode we can win back TO the Union
all the rebel States. We must first put down
the armies of the rebellion in the field. We
must libcrate the people of the rebel States
from the presence of the armies that keep the
spirit of Union Ia subsection, and silence any
whispering of dissatisfaction.
We must give time for the Union spirit, af
ter ii has been relieved from this pressure, to