New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-08-29


The following cipher telegram received $3.50 |
P. NJ, Aug. g. 1866, from New Orleans, La, Aug. |
6, IL Nj, 1866:
To His E1oenenCy, Andrew johnson, President United
I have the honor to make the following reply to
your dispatch of Aug 4
very large number of the colored people
marched in procession on Friday night, July 9th,
and were addressed from the steps of the City
Hall by DR.. Dostie eX.Gov. Hahn and others. The
speech of DOste was incorporate in language and
sentiment The speeches of the others, so far as
can learn, were characterized by moderation
have not given you the words of Dostie,s speech,
as the version published was denied. But from
what have learned OF the man, DeieVe Lhey
were Incorporate.
The crowd assembled at 10 NJ, on the 3Oth; the
timld members absenting themselves because the
tone of the general public was ominOus OF trouble.
think there were but about twenty-five members
present. In front of the Mechanics Institute,
where the meeting was held there were assembled
some cUlOTed men, women and Ghlldren-perhaps
eighteen or tWenty-and in the Institute a number
of cOlored men, probably $50. Among those out
side and inside there might have been pistol IN
the possession of every tenth man.
At l o'clock P. NJ, a procession OF say IRON
sixty to one hundred and twenty colored men
marched up Burgundy street and across Canal
street towards the convention, carrying an Amerl-
can flag. These men had about one pistolto every
ten men and canes and clubs in addition While
crossing Canal street row occurred There were
many spectators the streets, and their manner
and tone towards the procession were untriendly.
A shot fired by whom am not aDle 10 sIuLe,
but believe it to have been by policeman
or some coored man in the procession.
This led to other shots and rush after the pro-
cession. On arrival at the front OF the institute
there was some throwing of brickbats by both
sides. The police who had been held well in hand
were vigorously marched to the scene of disorder.
The procession entered in the institute with the
flag about six or eight remaining outside. row
occurred between policeman and one of these
cloored men, and shot was again fired by one "
the parties, which led to an indscriminate fire on
the building through the windows by the police
men. This had been going on for short tune
when white flag was displayed from the windows
of the institute, whereupon the firing ceased and
the police rushed into the building.
From the testimony of wounded men and other
who were inside the building, the policemen
opened an indiscriminate fire upon the audience
until they had empted their revolvers, when they
retired and those inside barrcaded the doors. Tht
doors were broken in and the firing agail
commenced, when many of the colored and whit
people either escaped through the door or wer
passed out by the policemen inside. But as the,
came out the policemen, who formed the circl
nearest the building, fired upon them and the
were again fired upon by the citizens that forme
the out circle. Many OF those were wounded an
taken prisoners, and others who were prisoner
and not wounded were fired upon by their capto1
The wounded were stabbed while lying on tn
ground and their heads beaten with brck.bats
the yard of the building w6llhef some Oh IN
= coiored men had escaped and partially secrete
4 themselves. They were fired upon and Killed an
= wounded by policemen. Some men were kille
and wounded several squares from the seen
some Of them MORALLY. The immediate cause
This terrible affair was the assemblage OF tn
convention. The remote cause was the antago
istic feeling which has been growing in this col
munity since the advent of the present mayo
who, in the organization OF his police force
selected many desperate men and some oil the
RnuTderers.
People of clear views were overawed by wa
of confidence in the mayor and fear OF the thlne
many of whom had been selected for ms pom
force. have frequently been spoken to by pl
minent citizens on this subject and have hea
them express fear and want of confidence IN May
Monroe ever since the ntimatlOn OF the II
convention movement.
must condemn the course of several OF
city papers for supporting by their articles
bitter feelings of hadmen.
As to the merciless manner in which this cow
ton was broken up, feel obhge to confess sire
reDugnanCe. 1t is useless to attempt to dlsgu
the hostility that exists on the part of gr
many here towards Northern men, and this uni
4nnate affair has so precipitated matters that tn
IL now a test of what shall be the status of MOI
ern men; whether they can live here without be
in constant dread or not; whether they can
protected in life and property and have justice
The courts. If this matter IS permitted 10 I
over without a thorough and determined PR
cution of those engaged in it, we may look OUT
frponent scenes oil the same kind, not only L
but in other places.
No steps have as yet been taken by the
authorities to arrest citizens who we're engage
this massacre, or policemen who perpeuated I
crueltes The members of the convention L
been indicted by the grand jury, and many
them arrested and held to bail. AS 10 VINE