The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-08-09
The New Orleans Rebel Riot.

He We" OFASHHS EtODe1 zsIOt.
The story of the troubles in New Orleans
is easily compressed into nutshell limits
Certain citizens of Louisiana, whose adhe-
renee to the National Government is of
Date anterior to the overthrow of the
rebellion, acting by virtue of an election
the validity of which was recognized by
President Lincoln, had determined to
re-assemble.
Upon SO doing, they were mobbed, and
many of them shot and others murdered
The rebel Mayor of New Orleans takes
side with the rioters.
President johnson upholds the rebel
Mayor, and makes an ex-officer in the
rebel army Military Dictator.
But that President johnson and all
parties connected with this riot may not
be judged rashly nor upjustly, let us
examine minutely as to the true state of
the case.
On the 1lth of January, 1864, Gen
Banks, then in command at New Orleans,
declared martial law to be the fundamental
law Of the State, and ordered an election
of State officers on February the 22d,
following. Consequently, an election was
held as ordered, ard Michael Hahn cleo
ted Governor. On the 18th of March of
the same year, Governor Hahn was inveS-
tod I -..I, ~ Al
ity and powers of Military Governor
On the l1th of March, General Banks
issued an order permitting the election
of delegates 10 Constitutional Conven-
ton, On the 10Th, Governor Hahn
authorized the sheriff to proclaim the
holding of an election, and it was accord
ingly held on the 28th Of the same month.
Although elections were held only in
parishes within the Federal lines, ninety
seven delegates were elected. On the 7th
of April, the Convention was organized.
and e. II. DurPll chosen President On
the 18th Of July, after sitting for seventy
eight days and framing a Constitution to
be submitted to the people, the Conven-
ton adjourned, not sine die, but until again
assembled. On the 5th of September
the Constitution was adopted, 6, 1876 votes
being cast for it and 1,566 against it. In
the fail of 1868, j Madison Welles was
| duly elected Governor by an overwhem-
| ing majority, on poll of about 10000
votes. r. *. Howell, President pro- tenn.
| of the Convention, some time ago issued a
call reconvoking the Convention of the
30th of July. u'timO. Governor Welle.
on the 9th issued proclamation in con
formity with resolution of the Coaven-
| ton, ordering an election on the Sd day
OF September, Of delegates to the Conven-
ton. The Both of July came, and the
! Convention met Scarcely was it assem-
5led, however, until the building in which
1t met was surrounded by mob On the
part of the anti-Conventicn party, it is
asserted the riot began by a quarre
| between whire man and a negro, the
negro being the aggressor We do not
admit this in point of fact, but simply fol
| the sake of the argument. The members
OF the Convention were shot at some OF
them wounded, others stabbed, and Others
killed, and the city for time was under
control OF the moo Forty persons in all
and nearly all OF then: hearty Unionists,
lost their lives. The police under drec-
ton of the Mayor arrest tie members OF
tie Conge'tion. He telegraphs 20 the
President, aud the latter telegraphs to
the Governor, and ascertaining from him
that he had proclaimed an election of
delegates to the Convention from districts
not represented therein, the President at
once replies to the Attorney General,
investing him with the powers OF a
Military Dictator. The President declares
that mo usurpation will be tolerated" ="
Whence came his power TO ignore duly