The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-08-22

visions OF the revised Constitution 80
as to put into Office only such men as
were in favor with the negro and the
few whites who would be permitted to
vote. This proposition was the subject
Of long correspondence by telegraph
and letter between the committee sent
here to confer, and their friends ~
Louisiana. The subject was preached
to Judge Durell, who positively refused
to have anything to do with it, taking
the ground that the authority vested in
him to reconvene the Convention had
expired upon the ratification by the
people Of it's doings, the possible rejec-
ton Of which by the people being In
his mind the only contingency under
which the Convention meant to provide
for it's recall. And in this view he was
sustained by the ablest men In the State,
who argued that otherwise the Conven-
ton would never cease to exist, at least
SO long as its President should be alive.
This was stumper to thereyolutionary
cause proposed, but as it turned outnot
a fatal one. Suggested the Directory
here, caucus OF the faithful members
Of the Convention was summoned and
met in New Orleans. at which Rufus X.
Howell was nominated President pro
ten., Of the Convention, the appoint
ment Of such an officer having been neg
lected, OF not considered necessary dur
ing the sessing of the body. But a
little consideration showed the plotters
that this action would do them no good,
inasmuch as, during the presence Of the
President, the President pro TEN, could
not presume to act. But soon after
Judge Duren proceeded North, thus
removing that objection, but only to
give place to others Of a still more
serious nature. Howell had not been
regularly elected President pro tem.,
and therefore could not act in that capa-
city until the convention should assem-
bic and ratify the caucus nomination /;
and if that objection could be got over
another presents itself. Howell had re-
signed his seat in the convention during
its session, which resignation had been
accepted. Subsequently,, it is true, an
effort had been made to reconsider that
vote Of acceptance, but it had failed
because of the lack Of a quorum when
it was made; SO that, in fact, Howell
was not even a member Of the body OF
which it was propose irregularly to
make him presiding officer. The Di-
rectory, however, proposed to override
all this and brass the thing through
but Howell had sufficient virtue left in
him to set his face determinedly against
such palpably illegal proceeding and
positively refused to act.
The Directory then went to work al
Governor Wells, who had hitherto beer
classed by them as copperhead and
rebel, and by the people as conserya.
tive. On hearing the scheme Wells de.
clared it revolutionary; would lead te
riot and bloodshed; the people would
not submit to it; he would have nothing
to do with it, and to avoid being drag.
ged into it, he packed his trunk and
left New Orleans for his plantation uI
the country. This determined and re.
fractory conduct was duly reported by
Lynch, Howell and Hahn (wh0 was
acting with them) to the Directory
Thad. Stevens smiled one Ofhis CHASTITY
smiles and said, ':of couse, it's revolu.
tionary. Amt these revolutionary
timess" Fessenden said, "What if the
people do kick up row. It's all thu
better for us at the North" Banks
with his wise sagacity, acquiesced, ani
said, ~ know all those people dow1
there, and just what they are made of
Let them create a riot. The more
anarchy there is produced in the South
the more thunder we will have at til.
North. Well fasten it on the Presi
dents policy" Conklin, Howard ant
the rest chimed in with a common re-
mark. "It's just what we want; tn.
best thing that could happen for thu
radical party" Hard as it may be tt
believe these reports in this era of tn,
worlds history, they, nevertheless, arr
truths; and though in each instance
may not site the precise words used
| give the substance Of the replies o
these members CT the thirty ninth Con
gress when told that their plans woult
lead to what they have led. And so
long dispatch was sent down to Gov
ernor Wells, in which proposition
were made to him to convene tina
convention, it being distinctly pledge,
to him that Congress would sustain hi
action and the action Of the conventio,
when assembled, and that the militar
power Of the Government should no
be exerted against them.