The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-08-15

body.
II is mot our purpose to argue the question
collision, and fix precisely the mode and
manner in which il originated. We will,
however, remark that tho collision was, IN
every instance, brought about by the armed
mob sustaining the convention. Sumce 1t to
say that the civil authorities took every pre-
caution possible to prevent the outbreak; that
they applied, during the three days previous,
to the head of the military to preserve order
at tthe place where the convention was 10
meet: that the authorities, state and municip.
al, had come to an understanding to act in
concert with the military for that purpose;
that the citizens, no more than the police,
contemplated to prevent the convention to
hold their meeting peacsably and adjourn
and disperee unmolested and that the war
rant for their arrest would have been sub,
mtted to the military as agreed upon, altho'
the presidents dispatch to the lieutenant gov
ernor aud the subsequent one to the attorney
general were imperative that the military
must sustain and not thwart the court. The
military authorities had been for three days
previous to the riot, In constant communlca-
ton with the attorney general the lieutenant
governor and the mayor, with the intention
of preventing the impending riot. The eff.
forts were unsuccessful; they could not coun.
teract the effect of the incendiary oounsels
aud appeals of those who, for sinister purpos-
o., had had in view this very result in order
to reap political harvest. That the civil
authorities had done their duty in this re-
spect is patent; that more could have been
done by them was impossible, as they were
not allowed to remove tho cause of the riot
by taking the proper means to prevent the
meeting of the convention and we doubt not
for moment that the military commander
himself will be the first to corroborste these
facts, and to arrest all caluminous imputa-
sSions against the conduct of our people under
these trying circumstances.
As regards the proclamation of martial
law, the least that can be said OF it Is, that 1t
was inopportune, for the rleting had ceased
completely, the police being masters OF the
situation. The colored population, as body,
did not participate in these disgraceful
scenes, and freedmen in the vicinity of the
riot were standing ss lockers on without be-
ing molested. The oolored mob in unison
with few white rioters who were leading
them IN the affair, were, no doubt. well or
ganized. That they were we'll armed is un-
doubted, since forty two policemen and sew
eral citizens were wounded by them, although
the conflict wss over in less than two hours.
Twenty-sevsn rioters were killed and a con-
siderable number wounded. At dark when
all was over, when those of the mob were
either dispersed or in prison, tranquility and
order were restored.
Martial law was proclaimed, and the pris.
ons where the rioters were confined were emp
tied by orders from headquarters. These
measures undoubtedly were not intended for
reviring the outlaws. but were they not cal
culatsd to inspire them with false hopes
The very next morning the organ of the agi
tstors was issued, containing, as usual, the
most infiamatory articles, and 80 were the
succeeding issues.
Had the military authorities on Monday
evening taken n stand TO cooperate with the
civil authorities. instead of proclsiming mar
tial law, the most beneficial effects would
have been the result.
Very respectfully,
ALBERT VOORHEES,,
Lieut.. Gov. OF Louisiana;
A. S. HEBRON.
Atty General of Louisiana;
j. S. MONROE,
Mayor of New Orleans.