New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-10


yesterday morning.
NEw.ORIEAS, Wednesday Aug ? lsC6.
The following address has been issued By Gov. Wells:
r, Gs LosaI PsoDis Of Louisiana
The bloody TIA .ey enacted in the City Of NewOreans
on the 3Oh OF Juy 1860 which more than 3OO citizens
killed or wounded has, to the credit OF humanity
created profound sympathy IN the breast Of eyer! nun
throughout the length and breadth OF the land.
The remote aud immediate causes oil TINS out
rage demand thorough Investigation ana e4p.ula,,
ton, and Chief Magistrate OF the STATE
feel solemn duty resting on me to give PLAIN
unTamished statement Of us origin and progress III
dong this II becomes necessary for me 10 commence III
the year 1864 at the reorganization of civil government IN
that portion OF Louisiana which had been wrcsted from
Rebel authority. regret that III this connection to DC
obi ged 90 speak ofmyelf II is not TO crafty feeling oil
vanity that do so, for fully realize that am but an
Insignificant atom in the great cause OF maintaining ana
perpetuating the Union Of these States The political
history Of the country teaches US that' under th9
policy Of the late amented President, all the loyal
citizens of Louisiana In the parishes then within
the Union lines were invited and authorized, IN
the proclamation issued by the military commander
Of this Department to hold an election on the I'D day OF
February 1854 for State officers The election was ned
and then being refugee from my parish IN the keDe
lines in consequence Of my Union sentiments Wes nom
mated By the Free State party as was called ana Dy tue
extreme Radical party Of which Thomas j. DuraA was
the acknowledged leaders their candidate iOI Tue ONCE
of Lieut.. -GOyernOr The first named ticket headed by
Michael Hahn for Governor, was elected Gov. nam
served until the ih of March, 1862 when by his csgna-
ton succeeded 20 the office of Governor In the mean
time by virtue Of military authority an eectoh OF Ieie
gates State Convention 20 amend and revise the COn
Stuton Of 1852 had taken place. The Convention met
framed Constitution declaring Slavery to be abolished
which Constitution Is now the fundamental law
Of the State Ii is further well known that the
Convention did not adjourn sine die, but subject TO the
call OF the President for any cause Legislature had
also been elected and was in session al inc tlme Oh
tho assumption by me Of the duties OF tho Once oil
Gov. Shafkey. Aierward, the collapse OF TIE So
called Confederate Government took place, ana,
by the surrender of the forces IN the Trans
State was restored 20 the lawful authority OF the united
states When this event took place what was my condnct
toward the population OF is parishes reclaimed Anougn
had been prosecuted aud driven from nome Dy he eDe
authorities suppressed oil feeling OF rancor so natural
to the human breast under such circumstances ana
belief that a majority had been seduced from lnel5
allegiance to the old flag by wles OF artlui
demGgogues who brought on the Rebellion determined
10 try the effect Of kindness and Cancellation IN winning
them back their first oye addressed them procla
nation congaulang them on their restoration 10 the
protection Of the Government of aw aud order and that
as far as was concerned was willing TO forget the past
| begged them 10 submit cheerfuly and unreservedly
them that although the State Government had been or
gained, yet anxious that general eeeoh or rs
officers should be held in which the whole State should
participate fulfilled every word OF my promises
appointed the men recommended TO MI ohces IN
several parishes signed their applications 10 the
President of the United States for special pardons
persisted in my Of reconciliation notwlthsand
ing the warnings and circumstances OF Union men
who believed my policy would be unayaiuhg 10
dicted that al the very first election these men
in every parish whore they held the power
would prescribe every man from once VINO mao nov pee
TO the letter at every subsequent election with the e1cep
ton Of my own case And 1t IS wen known,
tor it was Publicly ayowed that l was put az
the head of their ticket, simply because | could
be useful in securing q representation OF the state
Congress II is further well known that their platform
reported by the Committee appointed for that purpose 10
tie Democratic Convention held in this city, was re-
iteration OF tAe doctrines OF the n7ht OF
Secession; and it was only through the
exertons OF rev ,hs t retror,a o yr,s made TO
assume the form which was adopted. At the same Con
vention a well known aud live Democrat was pub
ncly censured by resolution, because IN a speech,
delivered before that body be SAID that Seces-
sion was than crime, 1t was blunder Not
withsandiug my nomination by the Democratic party
another candidate was put into the field in opposition 10
me who had OBLIGATED as Governor under the Rebel rule
and who had he been in the couHtry and signhed his
assent have doubt would have been overwhelmingly
elected when the members Of the Legislature met IN
extra session the month Of November, 1862 convened
by for the purpose OF raising money TO restore the
broken ovec and 20 take measures TO redeem the credit
of state, found them more intent on calling Con
vention 10 change the Constitution of 1854 than % pro-
mote the general interests Of the people Their chief OBJ
lection 10 that instrument was the character Of the
who framed it, and the abolition OF Slavery. Having
failed at the extra session 10 pass Dill
to call Convention the attempt was
renewed at the regular session. held IN the month OF Janu
ary and than halfhe time OF that body was spent
in discussing that question. Finally commission was
sent Washington TO consult with the President and
the Legislature only abandoned the measure through his
considered Convention inexpedicnt, and for
that reason opposed it. | had learned enough Of the
that ii new Constitution made it would
bo less in harmony with the views of the
President and Congress than the Constitution of 1861
the result OF which would be to lessen the chances for the
admission of Representatives. urged these views on
the members Of both houses Of the Legislature, but
the had no effect with tho majority
| dpDrpclfed
that feared the result, because OF the character OF tho
men who would be elected and because had seen enough
of public sentiment TO convince me that none but those
who had served in the Confederate army, or who
had gone into the Confederate lines would be elected to
office. foresaw that such result would be justly re-
marked By the people Of the loyal states as showing de-
FAINT spirit and still gorylng in cause that had been
sustained by them with such fearful loss OF life and expen
durc Of treasurer with numerous and repeated evidences
OF continuing intoaant and rebelous spirit and the
manifestation Of intention Of prosecuting al who did
not adhere the fortunes of the CoLcdelacy TO the last
the part OF large majority OF the cltzensi ana win
press almost unanimously expressing sentiments OF the
same tenor is Il matter Of surprise that should pause
and commence 10 reflect the consequence as regards
the future security of the Government and the late or
Union men the South if these men, who once attempted
break mp the Union succeeded in securing the power OF
the nation again.
had seen that while protesting with their lips renewed
allegiance TO the dag and an CELEBRATION OF the past which
embodcs the pacific policy of the President, they were
becoming arrogant, intolerant and dicatoril Iheygoy
in the apparent sc.ism between the President and Con
erpss in the policy of restoring the States lately In
belon and rub their hands with delight a, the idea OF
civil war in the loyal States.
In view OF all tins array Of strong, stubborn facts,
freely acknowledge my views Of concilaory policy in
turning back to aeg those who have been engaged
in to destroy the Union, have undergone change
The intoeran spirit engendered by Slavery still exists
Tho loss Of property and failure of hopes be for
given and though regard them mpotent to resist the
constituted authority enforced by the presence Of the milf
tary convinced they would renew the Rebellion
tomorrow If they saw prospect Of success.
Impressed with the truth of these views ioreseeng the
necessity for the future security of the Union men IN the
South that the amendment 10 the Constitution, adopted
by Congress and submitted the several States for rah-
nrnrni md fllH realZlnc the ao that the