Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-09-06

am of the mind that you will find few
people of the State who agree with you
in the estimation of my character. You
must allow that, if am dangerous, lam
a most unsuccessful agitator, for until
the assembling of the would-be conven
ton on the Both of last month, the civil
courts of the State have faithfully admin
istered the law, and as effectually pre-
served the peace as in any city in the
sUnion--the disbanding of two powerful
armies and vast influx of negroes not
withstanding 1t needs no argument tc
prove the efficiency Of the civil govern
nent Of Louisiana. fused every effort
that argument, persuasion and direct
charges to the grand jury could accom-
plish, to prevent that fatal meeting.
Iwas a member of the convention OF
GA, and knew well that after the adop
ton of the constitution. by the people,
the convention became functoas Off 40,
and so charged the grand jury, on two
occasions, previous 10 the meeting Ii
is impossible, General, that you can pre-
tend that | had any completely in the
assembling of the would-be conYen-
ton" and of course no peace breaker in
that respect 1t appears to me, that in
scommon justice you should have stated
the facts upon which you based your as
| sertion--an assertion which appears 10
astonish everybody.
Gen. Sheridan's plainness of speech
invites plainness fully agree with yen
lin your statement to the President that
1.-THE immediate cause Of this terrible af-
| fair was the assembling of the conven-
ton. And i am clearly Of opinion that
| it never would have assembled without
some assurance of military guardianship.
The members asserted at almost every
corner of the streets, up to the very day
of assembling that they had such assn
rance. Gen. Baird said he would arrest
the sheriff Of the parish of Orleans if he
attempted to execute the process of the
civil courts in arresting the conventions
lists, firmly believe that had the mill
tary authorities been half as earnest as
1 was, in opposing this attempted usur-
patton, there would have been no meet
ing of the so.called convention, and con-
sequently not drop of human blood
she'd
General Sheridan, never participated
in the rebellion in any manner, and the
idea of magnifying these conventionists
into prosecuted Union men, seems to me
ridiculous. Some of its leaders raised
troops for the Confederacy, others held
Office under it, and another voted for the
hanging of Hon. B. f. Flanders, an
original Union man, and aided in expell-
ing him from the State.
As to the status of Northern men in
New Orleans, whether they be Union or
Conservatives, it is that of perfect safety,
for since the establishment of civil au-
thority in this State, in September, 1864,
there has not been single case, to my
knowledge, in which a Northern man
has been molested.
Those of them who come to this city
with capital or skill, for the purpose of
lettering their condition, are welcomed
and favorably received; those who come
to encourage strife, are entitled to no re-
spect, and receive none. All good men
must deplore the tragedy OF the Both OF
last month, but it was brought on by the
meeting of few adventures, who pro-
posed to alter the constitution of the
State, against the will of the people, and
who had secured the attendance of large
number of armed negroes to defend them
ia their attempted usurpation. The
meeting was not opposed by the military.
This, Gen. Sheridan, all must agree,
was an act that could not be tolerated by
the freemen of any town, city or State,
from Maine to California. To alter the
charter of town or city, or constitution
of State, belongs to the people.
hod n of tar
the Constitution of this State than the
negroes whom they called to defend them.
All sympathize with the colored
people, who were deceived and misled by
the leaders of the convention. | assert
that the colored people of this city and
State would be peaceable, prosperous,
happy and useful members of the COM
munity if their pretended friends would
let them alone.
General, | am now nearly iifty-hve
years old, and have never seen more
direct thrust at the character of man,
and in my case, without the least foun-
datoa; for / respectfully defy you OF
any other man to show an act of mine
dangerous to the peace of the city OF
State. Ii you think your assertion just
or dignified, rejoice in 1t, ] do not nor
do think, among good men of this great
country, it will add 10 your reputation,
or iDjure mine.
You, however, have done me the honor
TO connect my name with that of has ex
celiency. Gov. Wells. and Mayor Mon
roe, in your dispatch of the Sd to the
President, the removal of whom you re-
commend. This seems, in connection
with your charge against me, TO form q
sort OF coincident in this, that had the
President of the United States adopted
your views, and removed the three OF us,
the peoples treasury, city and State, as
in the DAYS of Banks and Butler, would
have fallen into military hands
General, my highest ambition is &c
serve the State with fidelity, while she
requires my services; my greatest desire
is the restoration at once of my country
TO unity, prosperity and greatness-my
strongest antipathy against usurpation.
And, whether | fall by the hands Of
sneaking assassiRs, or my reputation be
struck down by the defamer, these are
my sentiments, and they will not change
AS Edmund Abel | would not reply to
your unfounded assertions. As the judge
of the First District Court of New Or.
leans, it is my duty TO repel them, and
take this public mode u addressing you,
as it is the public which has an interest
in my services. +. ABEL
FROM ST. JOSEPH.
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