The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-09-12
General Baird's Report on the New Orleans
Riot-The Rebels of the ssouih.

General Baird, in his official report on the
riot at New Orleans, makes out very bad
case against the old rebels Of that city. We
must admit that the civil authorities, and espe-
cally the police, which were composed chicSy
OF that class Of persons, behaved in q brutal
manner when the riot occurred, and we de-
l9unce them for their barbarity AS to the
legality Of the resuscitated convention, which
caused the trouble originally that is very qucs-
tionablc, and as to the cxpediency Or motive
for calling the convention there can be bui
Que opinion with impartial people, and that is,
that the meeting was unnecessary aud revolu-
tionary. General Baird lays all the blame Of
the riot on the civil authorities. He regards
the asscmblage Of convenionisis in the light Of
public meeting, asserting its right TO meet
The same as any other public meeting. He
seems 10 ignore the fact that ii was more than
this-that Il assumed 10 be legally constituted
body, with the highest functions, with power
Ito change the organic laws Of the State. The
question was not as to the right OF people as
sembling in public meeting TO discuss politics
that no one questioned; but as TO the legality
or illegally Of q body that claimed the power
to change the fundamental laws Of the State
Sill we do not think that the Mayor of the
city or General Baird had any right to prevent
or protect such an sssemblage. II the conven-
iionlsts had no legal authority their action
would have fallen to the ground. At all events
the legality Of the convention would have
been decided afterwards by a higher authority.
General Baird was wrong in undertaking to de-
eide that II was legal, and the city authorities
were wrong in attempting TO prevent its assam
bling.
But when there was Imminent danger OF q
riot the duty Of both the civil and military au-
ihcriiies was TO prevent that by all means
in their power. Looking at the occurrence in
this point Of view we are compelled 10 say,
from General Baird's own report, that he was
culpable. While he endeavors to lay the
blame on others II appears that Lieutenant
Governor voorhees, urgently appealed TO him
70 send troops 10 prevent riot. The letter Of
the Lieutenant Governor shows also that the
Mayor OF the city concurred in this appeal.
That the General had not the troops ut hand
or in readiness TO act after being aware of the
excitement and apprehension Of danger is
truly astonishing. The appeal Of Mr.. Voorhees,
In conjunction with the Mayor for troops
shows that the civil authorities, so far from
plotting the riot, were anxious 10 prevent 1t.
The whole tone Of General Baird's report,
especially where he uses such terms as " white
Union men, as applied 10 one class and those
The original disturbers OF the peace, shows
clearly that he was political partisan and
totally unf, for the crisis Ii IL unnecessary
to 20 over the whole ground again, for the
subject has been thoroughly discussed. In
word, the blame Or crime OF the rioi must be
divided between the bitter radical agitstors
and the vindictivc rebels.
But we have word TO say specially to>the
old rebels of the South--a word OF caution and'
warning that may do them god II they will
heed it, Should President Johnson's humane
policy TO restore the South he defeated by the
radicals these men may blame themselves for
II in great measure. Al New Orleans and
Memphis they behaved in manner to provoke
bitter feeling In the North, and the vindictive
spirit OF portion Of the Southern press arouses
indignant opposition here We are aware
that the beat and most sensible people
Of that section, and particularly such msn-.
as Generals Lee and Joe Johnston, Alex
ander Stephens and Governor Orr, have no
sympathy with thesc mischievous agita!ors but
the whole South is bsld responsible for such
conduct The bad and violent rebels play into
the hands Of the radicals and parslyze the
efforts Of the conservatives 10 bring rcste--
ration and peace to the Southern States We
have warned them from time 10 time OF the
consequences, and we tell them now that
unless they pursue different course the senli-
ment Of the North will be aroused against
them. The passions Of the war arc not vet
cooled down, and they ought TO remember that
they are conquered people and at the mercy
Of their conqueror. Resistance 10 the autho-
riiy Of the government or even 70 the will Of
the people Of the North would be madness