The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-08-11
Tho neyy Orleans fiots.
ORIGIN AND PROGRESS oF THE DIFFICULTIEs-orFI-
CIhL CORRESPONDENCE.
NRM ilnI KINs Aunnak 1896

CIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
New ORLEANS, August z, 1856.
The following correspondence is published:
Ris E1cetehcy President Atd,crp .Joh,,son:
fIR-Ycur Excellency is all O DIV in possession
OF tho main facts in regard to the conspiracy
which, BY reSiSing, the Convention of 1864, pur-
lana. An informal meeting of 90 membors $50
being the whole number, and 76 quorum, pro-
oeeded to Gcrose the President or the Convention,
who conei,lered the Convention iteelf extinct and
himself without func ions Of Office, and to elect
Il: X. Howell AZ President pro tenn. They adjourn
ed 10 meet again, aud a proclamation was issued
tion to meet on the S0th of July last and direct
ing his Excellency the Governor Of tho State to
issue writs OF election to fill vacancies. So far
| tho whole matter Was louked up III as a harmless
experiment. though mischief was intended the
people being c,hfi,ent that tho Governor would
| not condescend TO notice this proclamation, aud
that III case The Convention should commit any
act of interference, he would at once have it dis
persed. Unfortunately, however, after a lapse of
tion to I'LL up 81 vacancies i'll that body.
This document, to which tho Secretary Of State
refused to give his sttestation under the seal of
State, issued under the attestaton Of tho pri-
vate secretary OF the Governor. The people OF
| the State became alarmed when no doubt could be
entertained as to the f.ct that their Chief Magis-
trate had given willing aid and assistance to sub
| vert the Government, the preservation OF which
was especially intrusted to his keeping. ~
Ga Friday, the 9th Of July, large meeting was
held In the hall of the HOusc OF Representatives
professedly for the advocacy Of universal suffrage
but in reality to roorganze for the meeting of tho
Convention on the Monday following Tho object
prcjudlces OF the colored population, 30 as to
make them the victims of riot, by urging them
headiong into conflict with the State and muuici-
pal authorities.
On the other hand wo were determined to pre-
vent riot End bloodsled by pursuing such a
course as would battle the nefarous calculations
Our reuiedy aud tho only remedy, must bo by
recourse to the usual process of law, and even
then to proceed in snch manuer az to iasten upon
them the Responsibilities pf all collision whatever
Tho case wsh submitted to the Grand Jury by the
Attorney-GeEcral, and in the meantime tho Lieu
tenant Governor and tho Mayor called upon Gen.
Baird to ascertain whether, if q warrant issued
upon regular indictment w,rc placed in the
hands of the sherif for tho arrest OF the members
OF h the 0onven 9n the m military would interfere
arrested and that the Convention, meeting peace
ably, could not be interfered with by the officers
OF the law.
It is proper here to state that the Mayor had
previously addressed q note to Gen. Baird, in
quiring whether he would be interfered with by
The military in case ho would proceed to disperse
the Convention as an unlawful assemblage.
The answer to this communication was that the
| meeting Of the Convention being peaceabie, could
military al horities would prevent Tie interference
Of the OWL anthnrities: It waa aneson'od 1y thu
| under those circumstances, did not intend to in
terfere to prevent the meeting OF the Convention.
But ho proposed that in case a warrant Of arrest
were placed in the hands of the sheriff. the latter,
before attempting to execute it. would call the
General, who thereupop would endorse his objec-
| tons, and the matter would at once be submitted
to the President. This arrangement was sasisfac-
tory to both parties. On the same day the At
torney- General and the Lieutenant Governor tele.
graphed to tho President to ascertain whether
the Convention could be thwarted by the military
The answer was expected to sustain the court.
On Saturday, the Goth, the State and municipal
| authorities called upon the President to afivi O
| manila n a
next day, as to avoid all collision aud riot, and
the Mayor issued his proclamation to the Same
effect. The press of the city, with the exception
counsels to the people, inviting all good citizons
to avoid congregating about the Capitol, aud to
On the morning OF Of the % sotn the aet Lieutenant.
Governor callod upon Gen. Baird to communicate
to him the Presidents dispatch and also inquired
in the vicinity Of the hall to preserve peace and
good order. Gen. Baird answered that applioa-
ton had been msde by members OF the Conven.
: tion. The suggestion was then made, that to
construed 'as meant to overawe tho members, and
inasmuch as the civil authorities did not intend
interfering with the Convention until instructions
were received from the President as above agreed
upon, 1t was proper to have troops to cooperate
with small police force to preserve peace, and
prevent all possible attempt to bring about q col
: lsion. This su gestion met the approval of the
general, who hon stated that he would immedi
ateiy give orders to have the troops in readiness
|
) agreed upon between Gen. Baird and tho Lieut.
: Governor, that whatever warrant OF arrest might
be placed in the hands OF the eherif would bt
. submitted to him before aHy attempt to have il
Z executed sDnuld be made, and that upon tho in
dorsement of the generals objections, the matter
a would he referred to the President, The Mayor
being informed of this arrangement, sent but a
ali police torce to the vicinity OF the hall,
the troops tLat were to act in conjunction with
. the police were eagerly expected.
At noon information having reached the Lieu
tenant Governor that in the Third District there
was o commencement of efferveacence, and thai
D a large number Of nogroes wero coming towards
. Canal street from above and below. He inme
diatciJ sent dispatch to tho general conveying
this Intelligence and urging that the troops Dt
sent without delay. About one hour afterwards
the riot broke out ending in tho dispersion OF the
Convention and the capture OF the rioters, lnclud
! ing several members OF this body.
OF It is not our purpose to argue the question O.
4 the facts as to the actual commencement OF The
n collision, and fix precisely the mode and manner
and where 1t started. We will, however,, remarl
that the collision wac brought about by the armed
o mob sustaining the Convention Suffice IL to say
that the civil authorities took all the preoaution
possible to prevent the outbreak; that they ap
Piled during three days previous to have the mill
: taIy to preserve order at the place where tn,
Convention was to meet; that the authorities
State and municipal, come to an understanding Il
act In concert with the military for that purpose
that the citzens no more than the police contem
, pia,ed preventing the Convention from holding
their meeting In peace and djourning and dispers
ing unmolested; and that the warrant for their ar