The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-08-13
The Riot a Preconcer.cd Plot.

The following address has been issued by
Governor Wells of Louisiana Z
tn the People q Loaisidla ~
The bloody tragedy enacted In the city of
New Orleans, on the 30th of July, 1865, in
which more than three hundred citizens were
killed or wounded, has, to the credit of hu-
manity, created profound sympathy in the
breast of every man throughout the length
and breadth of the land. The remote and
immediate causes of this outrage demand a
thorough investigation and explanation, and
as chief magistrate of the State feel sol
emn duty resting on me to give plain un-
vanished statement of its origin and pro-
gress. In doing this it becomes necessary for
me to commence in the year 1864. at the re-
organization of civil government, in that por-
ton OF Louisiana which had been wrested
from rebel authority. l regret, in this con
nectiOl,, to be obliged to speak of myself 1t
is not to crafty feeling of vanity that do
SO, for fully realize that 1 am but an insight
ficant atom in the great cause of maintaining
and perpetuating the Union of these States.
THE STATE ELECTION IN 1894
The political history of the country teaches
us that, under the policy of the late lamented
President, all the loyal citizens of Louisiana,
in the parishes then within the Union lines,
were invited and authorized, in the proclama-
ton issued by the military commander of this
department, to hold an election ON the 22d
day of February, 1854, for State officers The
election was held; and then, being refugee
from my parish in the rebel lines in conse-
quence of my Union sentiments, was NOM
mated by the Free State party, as IL was call
ed, and by the extreme radical party, of which
Thomas j. Durant was the acknowledged
leader, as their candidate for the office of It,
Governor arr4-ft
The first-named ticket, headed by Michael
aann TOR Governor, was elected. Governor
ham served until the 18th of March, 1865,
wnen, py his resignation, / succeeded to the
office of Governor. In the meantime bv vir-
tue OF military authority, an election Of dele
gates 10 state convention to amend and re-
wise the constitution OF 1862 had taken
place. The CONVEX lion met framed Con-
stitution declaring slavery to be abolished.
which Constitution is now the Fundamental
law Of the State. 1t is further well Lnawn
that the convention did not adjourn sine dc
put sublect>to the call OF the President far
any cause. A legislature had also been elect
ed, and was in session at the time of the as.
sumption by me of tho duties of the office.
---r- AFTER THE WAR. 9-E
Atterward, the collapse of the so-called
Sonleoerate government took place, and by
;r; su r1nuer OF the forces in the Trans Mis-
Vic GnIlr9 Jerf1COrV OF
the state was restored to the lawfnl authori-
~ Of the United States. When this event
TOOK place, what was my conduct toward the
population OF the eigh zen parishes reclaimedS
Although had been Prosecuted and driven
from home by the rebel authorities, I sun
pressed all feelings I rancor so natural fo
the human breast under such circumstances,
and with belief that majority had been SCI
duced from their allegiance to the old FLAG bV
%lies OF artful demagogues who brought on
Inc rebellion, determined to try the effect of
h hsnHness and Cancellation in winning them
nroc c ~ snelr first love. addressed them
restora4;on congratulatirg them on their
m hent OF ia law and order, and assuring them
mat II as sa ,ar as was concerned was will
begged them to submit cbeerf,ylv and nm
reseryedly to the new order Of thnGs anu a un-
sured them that although the Stale a anu -
ment had been organized, vet wss govern govern.
that general election for its Officers ihaous
be held, in which the whole State should v narl
titipate. fulfilled every word of nv pr prn-