The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-08-15
FHEIKgfH1gyE
The Report 4 fsout. ssrVoors
ties, Attorney General HeFron
and Mayor Monroe to- the Preai=
dent. e..,-
Npv ORLEANS. Aupust 9. 1866

eession of the main facts % regards the
sonspiracv. which, by reviving the Conven-
tioIi oflS64, purposed to subyert the civil
government Of Louisiana.
An informal meeting oftWenty-nine mem
hers--ope hundred and fifty being the
whole number, and seventy-six quorum
nroceeded to dspose the President of the
Tonyeption. who considered the Conven-
t;onitself extinct and himself functns obicio,
ind to elect R. K. Howell as President
pro TEN. They adjourned to meet again,
and proclamation was issa d by the Presi-
don't pro tenn, convening the Convention
to meet on the Both July last, and directing
his Excellency the Governor of the State,
In issue writs of election to I'll the yacan-
cies.
So far, the whole matter was looked upon
as harmless experiment, although mis-
chievously intended, the people being con-
tident that the Governor would not con-
descend to notice this proclamation, and
that, in case the Convention would commit
any act Of interference, he would at once
have it dispersed
Unfortunately, however, after the lapse
IL nearly month, the Governor issued
writs of election to fill up the fifty ore va
eancies in that body. This document, to
which the Secretary Of State refused to give
his attestation under the seal of State, was
issued under the attestation of the Private
Secretary of the Governor.
The people Of the State became alarmed
when no doubt could be entertained Us to
the fact that their Chief Magistrate had
given willing aid and assistance to subyert
the Government, the preservation of which
was especially entrusted to, his keeping.
On Friday. the 9th of July, a large meet
ing was held in the Hall of the House Of
Representatives. professedly for tie I'D
yocacy Of universal suffrage. but in reality
70 organize for the meeting OF the Conven-
ton or the Monday following. The objec,
of the meeting was to arouse the passions
aud preiadices of the coIored population
40 as to make them the victims Of riot by
urging them headloag iuto conflict with
the State and municipal authorities On
the other hand, we we're determined to pre-
vent riot nd bloodshed by pursuing such o
course as would battle the nesarious calcnla
tons of those asitators. Our remedy-and
the only remedy must be by recourse te
the usual process Of law--and even then t.
proceed in sucha way as to fasten upon
them the responsibility ofail coi!i~ioa what
ever.
The cane was submitted to the Crane
Jury by the Attorney General and, in the
meantime. the Lieutenant Governor and the
Mayor called upon Gen. Baird to ascertain
whether, II o warrant issued upon o regular
Indie ment, were placed in the hands Of The
Sheriff for the arrest of the members of tn.
Convention, tho military would interfere
The answer was that the Sheriff himsel
would be arrested: and that the Convex
ton, meeting peaeeably, could not be inter
fsred with by the officers OF the law.
1t Is proper here to state that the Mayor
had previously addressed note to Gen
Baird, inquiring whether he would be inter
fered with by the military in case he would
proceed to dispense the Convention as on
unlawful assemblage. The answer to this
communication was that the meeting of tit
Convention being peaceable, could not be
suppressed by the Mayor; and that thu
military authorities would prevent the in
reference of the civil authorities.
1t was suggested by the Lieutenant Gov
ernor that the city authorities, undes those
circumstances, did not intend to interfere
to prevent the meeting Of the Convention
but he proposed, that in case warrant 0
arrest were placed In the hands Of TIL
Sheriff, the latter, before attempting to exc
cute it, would call upon the General, who
thereupon, would indorse his, objections
and the matter would at once be submitted
to the President. This arrang ment was
satisfactory to both parties. On The same
day the Attorney General and the Lieut.
Governor telegraphed to the President tt
ascertain whether the process Of Court fol
arrest of the members of the Convention
could be thwarted by the military. Tbs
answer was expected to sustain the Courts
On Sunday, the 10Th, the State and mum
GOAL authorities called upon the press tc
advise the people as to the proper conduc
to be he'd the next day, so as to avoid al
collision and not aud the Mayor issued hi
proclamation 10 the sare effect. The press
Of the city, With the exception Of the Radi
cal organ, gave wise and salusSry counseis
to the public, inviting all good citizens 'c
avoid congregating about the capito', AND
TO demean themselves with prudence and
discretion.
On the morning of the 31th tie Lien
tenant Governor called upon Gen. Baird to
communicate to him the Presidents dis
patch and also inquire from the General
II be would not have some troops in the
vicinity of the Hail to preserve peace and
good order. Gen. Baird answered that ap
plication had been made BY members Of the
Convention. The suggestion was then
made that to have too large q police force
on the spot might De construed as meant
70 overawe the members land that, iHasIuuch
Is the civil authorities did not intend inter
fering with the convention untilin tructiuns
were received from the President, as above
agreed on, it was properto have oops to
cooperate with a small police force to
preserve peace and prevent all possible at
tempt TO bring about collision. This sug
gestlon met the approval of the General
who then stated that he would give imme
date orders to have the troops in readi
mess. lGl a5s @ '+.t~
Before the end of this interview IL
was again agreed upon between Gen
Baird and the Lieutenant Governor
that whatever warrant of arrest might
be placed in the hands Of the Sheriff
would be submitted to him before any
attempt to have it executed and that
upon the Endorsement Of the Generals
objections, the matter would be referred
10 the President,
The Mayor being informed of this
arrangement, sent bat a small police
force to the vicinity of the hall, and the
troops that were to act in conjunction
with the police were eagerly expected
At noon, information having reached
the Lieutenant Governor that in thu
Third District there was commence.