The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-08-09
the new orleans Riots.


The New Orleans Riots.
The cause Of the late terrible affair
at New Orleans appears to be as follows:
In March 1864, Gen. Banks, the milf
tary commander in Louisiana, called a
Convention which adopted State Con-
stitution, abolishing slavery, but not
giving to the negroes the right Of suf-
frage, or DISTINGUISHING rebels. 1t was
submitted to the people Of the State and
adopted by a slender vote. 1t contain
ed provision that in case of emergency
the President should reasscmble the
Convention. The adoption Of the Con-
stitution by the people, aud its being
since recognized and acted under by
them, rendered unnecessary any reas-
sembling of the defunct body. The
radicals in Congress and in Louisiana
are DESTROYS to put the State under the
rule of the few radicals there, and to do
so it became necessary to disfranchise
the late rebel voters, or to give the
right Of suffrage to the negrocs--per-
haps both. 1t was planned to call the
defunct Convention of 1864, but the
President refused, aud number Of the
members were got together aud elected
another President who did issue the
call. Governor Wells, to the astonish-
ment Of all, favored the assembling Of
the Convention, and the excitement of
the people at the unhallowSd attempt
to deprive them Of their political rights
rose TO n great pitch. TO add to it the
negroes held meetings and professions
at which white men participated, using
very inaammaIory language. Gen.
Sheridan, the military commander, CON
templaicd the arrest Of the members Of
this revolutionary Convention, if any
disturbance arose; and the Mayor Of
/ New Orleans aud the civil authorities
also contemplated their arrest, TO pre-.
vent the contamination Of their designs.
aud any breach Of the peace As ;hc
Governor bad determined 10 sustain the
| Convention. tho Lieut. Gov tclcgruphed
TO President johnson, and was assured
by him thsl the military should not in
terloro with the process Of law designed
to l., taken agains, the disorganixcrs
Twenty six members Of tho old Couycn-
ton assembled, and on proceeding 10
arrest them. the police came iato coils
zion with them and their colorcd dcfrn.
dcrs Unfortunately about this time a
procession Of culogtd men armed with
olubs aud other weapons approached.
aud the unruly spirit Of the mob broke
ont which needed no restraint from the
officers Of the law Riot aud bloolshcd
ruled for a time until the military AR
rived and martial law was declared By
Gen Baird. who acted ia the place Of
Gen Shcr.j1n in his absence. Qlict
was soon restored aud martial law has
since been wilblrawn-'hc civil au.
th1filios bciog once more IA charge 49,
There were abou, 30 lives losl and 100
wounded. mostly negroes who doubtless
were roughly handled by the mob
Al good citizens Of New Orleans
condemn tho cpuluc, Of the mob. which
only made matters worse. as no doubt
the civil authorities could haze succeed
ed without 20 much ol bloodshei Yet
it is incouiestiblu that the whole mishap
was occlsiouci by tho determined pur.
pose Of the few Radicals to usnrp the
rights Of the people I, should sorve
as a warning TO al, as il shows what
will be the inevitable result Of such at
tempt, every where President john
son has acted very commercially Ia this
matter, aud can be- relied on to protect
tho rights Of the people against uniaw.
ful usurpation.