Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-08-07
THE CONVENTION o. 1864.
WHO COMPOSED 1T.
What it Did, and How Much it Spent.
what the Revived Convention Proposes
20 DO. dEc.. &c.
To the Editor oftho Nationa RepuJIic.J

ed by your own solicitation, / have some
what hastily and imperfectly prepared for
your columns a truthful narrative Of events
in New Orleans, which have eliminated in
proceedings which every good citizen Of
Louisiana and our common country must
greatly deplore.
The convention Of 1864 was the offspring
OF the military commander. General BANKS.
The State at that time was but partially un-
der the United States 1ag, and consequently
but a very small portion Of the State was
represented in that convention Several Of
the members were said 20 have been chosen
from gunboats, one from the forces besieging
Port Hudson, another obtained three votes
in Baton Rouge and Others presented Gre
dentials from parishes where they not only
did not reside, but had never visited. OF
the character Of many Of the delegates it is
perhaps unnecessary 10 say much al this
time. An instance or two may be given: r.
X. CUTLER, leading spirit Of that conven-
tion, and honored by 10 as one Of the two
elected for seats in the United States Senate.
Is notorious for having absconded from the
State Of Illinois, where he stood indicted for
counterieiting. A transcript Of the court of
kassac county, Of that State has been in my
possession for many months, and therefore
speak by the card. Another had been ar
rested in New Orleans some time previous
for the common crime Of treason, and forfeit
ed his bail by Ascending.
With but few exceptions the character Of
the members was Of the most infamous ma
ture. That convention met and prolonged
its session many months. Under the plea Of
sovereignty II enacted scenes Of the most out
rageous character. Bacchanalian orgies took
place in midday and during its sittings.
Back Of the Speakers chair were two oppo-
site rooms, one ofwhich contained casks and
demiiohns Of liquor; the other was the bar
room proper. To this room they constantly
repaired, and with the choicest liquor. fur
nished at the States expense, kept their
spirits elevated and their pa .riotic blood fired
30 a degree never before attained in the an
mails Of legislation. Cigars Of the costliest
brands were there In abundance for the mem
bers and their friends. The eagle and the
pelican tapped their wings from huge piles
of cigar boxes which filled up the waste
rooms Of the buiiding, which was given a
patriotic name. Lyceum hall no more.
Liberty hall, gentlemen; do as you please"
And they followed the advice Of the re-
nowned JACK FAIsTAFF, The first thing
wen do Hal, let's rob the exchequer."
Plumber and extravaganza ruled. Two
members were caught by the keeper emerg-
ing thereirom with piles Of valuable station
cry; brandy cigars, etc, etc. were taken to
the residences Of the members. An officer
of the convention, whose ardor was fired by
the patriotic example set him. made for
tune by abstracting articles furnished at the
States cost for the delectable enjoyment Of
its glorious representatives. Finally, the
disgraceful scenes Of everyday occurrence
eliminated in a grand saturnalia of dssipa-
tion-a "iree-fght ruled the hour "Con-
iusion worse coniOundcd" pervaded the
assembly. Black eyes, bloody noses, broken
chairs and tables attested the choice quality
of the States liquors and the sincere deyo-
tiun 90 the Union which animated the MEM
hcrs Of the convention.
The whole history of this convention is in
parallel with what has been briefly narrated
It's gross corruption, reckless extravaganza
and stupendous folly are matters Of histo-
rv. And now / come to its connection with
the recent unfortunate riots. When this
convention was sought 20 he revived. the
memory Of its corruption and the character
of It's members produced a mingled degree
Of ridicule and denunciation. A great por-
ton of the people could scarcely deem il
possible the attempt would be made To be
sure q resolution Of the convention ompow-
cred its president 20 re-convolle the members
at any future day. 4 great time had elapsed.
Though conceived in sin and born in iui-
quity," the people had accepted It's enact
ments, and the whole machinery Of the
State worked under its provisions. When
the Legislature afterwards met an effort was
made TO call new convention; but, wisely
defcrring 20 the wish of the president, the
matter was abandoned. The Legislature
a. h,I
complete restoration and harmony in the
Union, 10 which end they almost unani-
mously gave their sincere adhesion 20 the
policy Of the President, and, as ! before re-
marked altogether abandoned the idea Of a
new convention, and accepted the situa-
ton"
Tbs various hole-and-cornerp meetings
Of the Convention of 1864 excited no gen
cFal alarm but when, after the refusal of
the President of that Covention 10 recon
woke IL portion OF the members chose a
President pro trw. in the person of L. X,
HOWELL, who issued proclamation naming
the SOth ult rs the day for rc-assembling,
the people felt that the madness Of the fac
uonists had no limit Considerable feeling
was ongcndercd, which was heightened by
the knowledge that the Governor had
leagued himsclfwith the madmen, falsifying
his promises 10 the people aud National
Executive And here, let me remark, the
person chosen as the President pro tenn. OF
the Convention is not a member thereof
Before he lost all seli-rospcct becoming dis.
gus,ed, hc resigned and retired from the
Convention of 1864, and his resignation
was accepted and spread ont the minutes. An
effort was afterwards made 60 reconsider the
acceptance Of that resignation which failed
for lack uf a quorum. Thus, the printed
proceedings show COnclusively that he is no
a member, But perhaps this point amount,
Co but little, whom we take into considora
tiun that their every act, from beginning Q,
end, has been characicrizcdby illegality anC
reck klesnCss.
Aner GOV. Wells had pledged himself {,
the purposes of the factionists, the popula
outcrv became 50 great that he grew veal
Inccd and retrr9tod from his new-t0un,
friends into the country. Some means ha,
now 70 he resorted Co in order to screw IN
courage 90 the sticking point The newly
made President the Convention and anoth
t.r person were dispatched iu hot haste q
Washington. Seeking the leaders OF tn
Radicals IN Congress, they mIsreprc-cntc'
our affairs iu every conceivable way. VIII
aame they were couutenanced and encour
agcd. With others. / Understand, they fail
cd However. they sent 30 their friends d
New Orleans the most glowing accounts q
their reception and success. These dis
matches were borne 10 the Governor in th
rauntry. and De was bolstercd mp with ne'
liz, and courage Away from the caplta
and the executive office IN the country r,
treat of Rapides parish, he Illuminated hi
proclamatiou ordering an election for the )
of Scptember to fll vacancies in the to-h
resurrectpd Convention. Strengthened h
this ac, of the Governor, the oonvenuonltS
became cmboldcncd, and although FOOLS
heretofore IN their street rawlings gave rei
to the most unboundcd liccnuousness
tongue. They would show the world whs
they would do; they would turn every ma
out Of office. seize the State and city treasJ
rieg. arrest and imprison their enemies, SUI
press certain named journals, and, 10 cove
up their own designing purposes OF repeale
piuuder, and secure the aid and protecuo
OF Congress, announced that universal 50
frape was the grand acme of their ambiiio
And here thc reader will allow little q
version frum the subject The equality OF q
races with the faction spoken Of Il not SINGER
Tbev make him a cloak for their neiario
6esigns. The respectable Radicals OF Nc
Orleans have not and do not oountenan
tbem. THOMAS J. DURANT, gentleman