Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-07-11


On the evening of the Esd ultimo, the Va
rieties Theatre in New Orleans was the scene
of unusual excitement because Of the unwil-
lingness of the orchestra to perform national
airs. The play of Richelieu was on and the
curtain had fallen at the close Of the flrst act.
The orchestra prepared to play ~ ususl. when
the star-spangled banner was displayed in
the second tier, and a general demand was
made for "Hail Columbia" The orchestra
hesitated, the demand grew more loud and
determined, but still the music tarried. A
portion of the audience began to retire, one
man, accompanied by a lady, saying it was
unjust to call for national airs while there
were confederates in the house. He was at
once surrounded BY crowd of Union men,
and struggle ensued in the dress circle, du-
ring which pistol was drawn. This served
to increase the fright among the ladies, and
several of them tainted. Still the orchestra
refused to answer the demand.
At this moment Mr.. Baker, the lessee Of
the theatre, appeared upon the stage and
asked the.meaning Of the demonstration. He
was informed that New Orleans was Union
city and the audience were determined that
the national airs should be played-that the
theatre had a prosperous season, had been
patrohized by Union people, and no symbol
of the Union had been displayed, or national
air played during the entire season-and the
audience were determined that Hail Colum.
bia should be played before the performance
proceeded any further, Mr.. Baker said that
Inc held permission from the military author
tics and license from the city to conduct the
theatre, and he had received strict orders to
allow nothing of political character. The
audience interrupted him with the demand
that their request should be Immediately
complied with.
Mr.. Ives, the Mayors Secretary, then made
his appearance, and stated that under the or
ders Of. the Mayor the orchestra was not per-
mitted to play the national airs. His voice
was drowned in renewed outburst of vocif-
crations, and he was compelled to withdraw:
Major Foster, l2Sth New York volunteers.
then stepped upon the stage from one Of the
private boxes, and commanding silence, said
he would take the responsibility. He ordered
the orchestra to strike up Hail Columbia, and
the order was reluctantly obcyed. The old
tune was greeted with cheer upon cheer; the
Union men having carried their point resumed
their good humor, and it was announced that
their demands having been satisfied, the play
could proceed. Many of the ladies returned
to their seats, good order again prevailed,
and the play went on quietly until the close
of the fourth act, when cries were again
made for music, but tho musicians had, by
this time, skedaddled and did not again make
their appearance.
At this 'juncture the provost guard entered
the theatre. A portion Of the audience made
a rush for the stage, when one man drew
pistol on Mr.. Vining Bowers, an attachee of.
the theatre. The excitement and confusion
now became general. Ladies and gentlemen
rushed in fright from around the stage. while
the provost guard marched upon and took
possession Of the stage. Capt. Davis, of
Gen. Bowen's staff. then ordered the theatre
to be closed. which was Immediately done.
1t was believed that the following order
from Gen. Bowen would have ended the dis
turbance, but it did not arrive at the theatre
until the audience had retired:
Office of Provost Marshal General,
New Orleans. 22d Ap,SI, 1863.
Mr.. Baker. Manager Theatre: Il is re-
ported to me that you have declined to cause
national airs to be played at your theatre at
the request Of the audience. for the reason
that you have been forbidden by the Mayor
Of the city. No such order can be rccog-
nized or held as valid in the presence Of the
United States army. You will, therefore,
cause the national airs-Hail Columbia, Star.
Spangled Banner, and Yankee Doodle-to be
played before the audience leaves your theatre
this evening. JAS. BowEx,
Brig Gen., r. NJ. g.
There was but one arrest made during the
evening, and nobody was hurt.
THE PROCLAMATION. - This document,
which the Copperheads. and all who symps-