Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-10-14
sUNDAY. oCrOnER Ia. Sc.
REPLY OF THE PEOPLE OF NEW OR
LEANS TO THE ISLANDERS or GOV.
WELLS.


The popular meeting Of The citizens {
New Orleans, On Tuesday night was yer
full, including many from the Norther
States. Speeches were made by CHRIsTIA
RosELrUs, and Gen Benton, late Of II
Federal army. Hon. JACOB BARKER, Gr'
w. HYSsoS, sANI. MCCONNELL and GEt
RULIBF were appointed to Ifepare an &C
dress on the subject before them. They re
ported the folloying, which was unanimous
~ adopted:
To THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED ESTATES
The statements IN an official letter Of hi
Excellency Gov. Wells, to j.. ii. JONI
Esq, evidently written for publication, ar
Of such a startling and extraordinary char
acter, and east such unsparing obloquy Of
the good people Of Louisiana, BY represent
ing them as inimical TO the Constitution an,
laws Of the United States, and as beinl
fatally bent upon undermining the YER
foundations on which this Great Govern
ment rests, that they require to be notice.
and answered.
The charge that Northern citizens are per
secuted in their social intercourse and busi
ness avocatiOns, Is known to have no forn
datiOn whatever in truth. Northern capi
tai is needed, and il is constantly invited
within the limits Of our State, and the mum
erous citizens hailing from different State,
North feel a sense Of perfect security in oul
midst, both in person and property, mol
need they have any recourse for protection
10 the courts any more than our own citi.
zens for the plain reason that IL they have
recourse 10 litigation such is also the neces
saEy result Of commercial relations in al
countries and at all times. As TO the record
Of crime and offences, we challenge any cts
Of the United States, North or South, e
compare statistics for no where is there less
crime daily committed than in New Or.
leans, when numbers Of population are KEEP
In view.
It is the imperative duty Of the people o.
Louisiana 10 refute these ASPIRATIONS by
reference TO incontrovertible facts.
In the first place, we assert it as an unde.
niable fact, that the distinction between
Union men and secessiOnists has been en-.
drely obliterated. We areall constitutional
Union citizens, DESTROYS to restore and re
viye the happy days Of the republic, when
il vas an honor indeed to be able 10 say, 81
too, am an American citizen" This Is the
feeling, and these are the sentiments Of the
vast majority Of the people Of Louisiana
There is an insignificant minority Of wild
and restless agitators and reyolutionists who
lately attempted, with unparalleled impu-
denee, 10 subvert both the State and mum.
cipal governments. BY the fundamentally
OF certain individuals who had been mem.
bers OF Convention that bad long ceased
20 exist, and who we're encouraged in their
deluded course BY misguided freedmen, sur
reptitiously brought from the neighboring
parishes. The riot and consequent blood
shed was commenced by this class OF per-
sons, and they alone are responsible for the
dreadful calamity flowing from it. All the
statements that have. been so industriously
fabricated and circulated that innocent and
law-abiding people we're deliberately muir
dered, Is utterly false, and those who made
them know that it is SC.
Heretofore riots fer very many years have
been unknown in New Orleans, and were il
not for the riots originating from the attempt
20 resuscitate the Convention Of lS64-riots
which were confined TO the immediate vicin-
ity Of the Mechanics Institute, and were
quelled by the police Of the city In less than
two hours-we would not have on record for
very many years one instance Of blOodshed
and riot in our streets TO Offset the fearful
massacre Of poor unofiending negroes in
New York city, besides Philadelphia and
Boston riots.
This naturally suggests the question OF
the military, an increase Of which Is de-
manded by the Governor. II the object Of
having troops quartered in the State be TO
maintain order and tranquility, and 70 pro-
tect the freedmen or s0-called Union men,
all we have 10 say is that an increase OF
troops is wholly unnecessary; indeed, II
there were not a single company OF soldiers
in our midst, the result would be the same,
rs the people are not disposed in the least
20 let law-breakers and evil disposed persons
interfere with public order, and the courts
are fully able and willing TO enforce the law,
preserve public tranquility and protect all
and every one in the full enjoyment Of life,
liberty and property, without regard 10 color
or nationality. Should the troops now here
be continued, or even increased, we shall
continue 10 extend 10 them the amenities
and civilities 20 which they are entitled, and
which are always extended 70 them with
pleasure; at the same time, in the opinion
Of this committee, their presence is not ne
cessary, the city and State authorities being
abundantly capable Of preserving order and
protecting the inhabitants, colored and white,
in all their rights. In support Of which we
refer 10 the fact that within the last eighteen
months, the aggregate value of the property
Of the city Of New Orleans has nearly dou-
bled the value il had before the unfortunate
civil war, and the rents have greatly in
creased-in some cases doubled during the
same period
New debts are promptly and punctually
paid, and protest Is seldom heard OF Now,
let us ask, what are the causes Of this un-
bounded prosperity We answer, it is in a
great measure attributable 10 Northern enter
prise and Northern capital, which has been
and is still pouring into the State in one con.
lnuous stream. This meeting is composed
in part of very many Northern, Western and
Eastern men, Of various shades Of political
opinion, all freely ana openly expressed; and
We assert, without fear Of successful contra
dictiun, that there is no man who has been
interiered with or molested in his business
or social relations on account Of his political
opinions. The daughters and sons Of the
South and North intermarry almost weekly,
and no one ever hears Of the marriage feast
being disturbed.
Evon-handed Justice is administered 10 all
men, without regard 70 color or race; and the
Judges, most of whom are Of the Governor
own selection, are men Of integrity, ability,
and impartiaiity. IL men dtsailected TO the
Union are in office, il is generally the fault
OF the Governor, as he made his own selec
tions, with which the people had very little
10 say, nor were they consulted; hence hi
Exoellency has not any one to blame bui
himself If unworthy men are in Office.
The free eelored man has always been a
competent witness in our courts, no matter
whether the parties litigsnt were white OF
otherwise; they have always had the same
capacity Of acquiring, holding, and dispcs
inc of an Kinds OF property, a. persons Of
the Caucasian race. All the slaves having
been emaacipated, they by the operation o
law. become morally and legally entitled (
the same rights, privileges and projections
ms though they had been born free. And VIZ
refer 10 the fact that the most friendly rela
tions exist between the free oolOred people
and their former master--so much SO tina
II the elective franchise was conferred OF
the colored men tomorrow, we are Of opin
ion they would most al vote Cor their forme
masters in preference 20 Governor WELLS o
Ais co-oporators.
The Governors appeal 10 Congress to 10
wade our vested rights in reference 70 fran
chise Is particularly Objectionable, and IN n
wise authorized hy the powers vested IN th
Executive II the inhabitants wish a nev
constitution, they arc ccmpcient 70 Frame
in their own time, witout the Intervention
Of Congress.