Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-08
WEDNESDAY. ATGUsT 5, Isee.
THE NEW ORLEANS RIOTS, con-
COCTED BY THE RADICALS IN
CONGRESS-

NDNAED III I'M AahADANAAsH ~
CONGRESS.
From the New York Times.l
The responsibility for these occurrences
primarily attaches 20 the promoters Of the
movement in which they had their origin.
That movement is unQuestionably revolu-
tionary. It's aim is to overthrow the CORsti-
tuition Of the State by the exercise Of unlaw-
full power, with the avowed purpose OF
securing the control of State affairs in the
hands Of the Radicals. The Constitution
framed by the Convention called by General
BANKS in 1864 neither enfranchised the
negroes nor disfranchised those who had
sympathized with or participated in the re-
belliOn. Extreme Radicals conceived the
idea Of reversing this condition Of things.
They expressed a determination TO perpetu-
ate their influence by giving votes to the
blacks, and depriying Of their votes the ma
jority Of white citizens. With this view,
call was irregularly Issued forare-assembiing
OF the delegates 20 the Convention Of 1864,
although with the preparation Of the COnsti-
tuition in that year their functions properly
ceased, and with the ratification Of the Con-
stitutiOn by the people terminated all right
and power to change its provisions, except
in the manner it prescribes. The Conven-
NiNaf WAAANA ~ NtNo ANlfAoGeA ~ Ai0lA AAA nun
day was, then, utterly destitute Of legality
IL was an attempt 70 usurp power by means
unknown to the Constitution and irreconcil-
able with the law; and there can be no doubt
that the armed and organized negroes Of
New Orleans were relied upon 10 overcome
the agencies which the Mayor Of the city
had declared his intention TO employ to
break up the Convention.
That the promoters Of the movement were
aware Of is illegulity is, fortunately, suscep-
tible Of proof. The New Orleans Tribune Of
July q, quoted in the Tribune Of this city
yesterday in its advocacy Of the Conven-
ton, uses this language. W. admit this Con-
veHii0R - be Illegal bat at the same time we
must recognize that il has exercised a power
de fact0 and that it bids fair 10 still exercise
a similar power" Il adds this remarkable
confession; This Convention is an extrane-
Gus power, which does not emanate from the
whole people - and the proceedings of the
delegates are hailed in advance as the inau-
gurauon Of political revolution reyolu-
ton more deep and mOreimpOrtant than any
Of the ENTHUSIASTICALLY attempted or partially
realized"
There are reasons, moreover, for believing
that this illegal moyement--this plan of in
augurating political revolution-this ex-
ercise Of unlawful power by minority to
overcome the majority Of the people-was
not only known 10 but enjoyed the approval
Of the leading Radicals in Congress. Upon
this point we may reproduce some remarks
Of Mr. boutwell, at the late caucus in
Washington, rs reported in the Times Of the
10th ult:
Mr.. boutwell,, Of Massachusetts, said
he thought il very desirable that Congress
should continue in session for other reasons
than those which had been suggested. lie
would mention one. 4 distinguished gentle
man from Ae South ras IN torn, from i1hom he
hdd learned that de Louisiana C0Hrention
mould meet on The 3Oh for hc rcuisioH Of the
State Constitution, and that amendments U0uid
be adopted DISTINGUISHING The rebel and cntran-
cbisiag Lhs loyal inhabitants lritsom distinction
of color. II Congress should be IN session ,0hea
lbs Constitution should be adopted, Il could, IN
accordance i0ih he precedent established IN The
Rhode Island case, accept Il, and thus gioe Il
Udhdty as he Constitution Of he State In the
Rhode Island case the Supreme Court decid-
ed that it was for Congress 70 decide which
was the Constitutional Government Of any
State in which doubts existed. If Congress
should not be in session, long time must
elapse before action could be taken the new
foothold, and the country would experience
n very serious calamity
Here we have conclusive evidence that
the Radicals in Congress were cognizant of
the entire proceeding. They could not
have been ignorant of the illegality of che
Convention, or Of the revolutionary purpose
twas designed 10 promote, As their part
Of the programme they desired that Con-
gress should remain in session, with the
view Of sustaining the combination Of Radi-
Gals and negroes in Louisiana, and consum-
mating the revelation to be inaugurated by
this unlawful Convention. The good sense
of the majority in Congress frustrated this
feature Of the scheme and the terrible
scenes now reported have overturned other
features but the connection between the
Radicals in Congress and the negro suffrage
rcvolutionists in New Orleans does not adj
nit Of dispute To them, jointly, belongs
the responsibility Of the loss Of life that has
occurred, and Of the dread harvest Of strife
which cannot fail 10 follow the seed so
broadly scattered on Monday last The
poor negro is a catspaw in their hands, to be
sacrificed, if need be- in furtheranoe Of the
effort 10 entrenCh themselves in power.
What we see now IN New Orleans would be
seen elsewhere could they have their way.