The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-08-11
NEx 0nIraxs. Aug. s.

NEW ORLEANS. Aug. 6.
The bloody tragedy enacted in the city of
New Orleans on the s0th day of July. 1866,
In which more than 800 citizens were killed
or wounded. has. to the credit of humanity,
created profound sympathy in the breast of
every man throughout the length and breath
of the country. The remote and immediate
causes OF this outrage demand thorough IN
yestigation and explanation. and as Chief
Magistrate of the State, feel solemn duty
resting upon M TO give plan, unvarnished
statement OF Its origin and progress. In
dong this II becomes necessary tor me to
commence in the year 1864. al the reorgan-
ization Of the Civil Government IN that por~
tion Of Louisiana which had been wrested
from rebel authority. | regret that | shall
IL this connection be Obliged to speak OF my
self il Is not TO crafty feeling OF vanity
that ! do so, for ! July realize that am but
All Insignificant atom in the great cause of
maintaining and perpetuating the union Of
these States.
The political history OF the country teaches
Us tha; under the policy of the late lamented
President. all the loyal citizens Of Louisiana
IN the parishes then within the Union lines
were invited and authorized in the proclama-
ton issued pv the military commander OF the
Department TO hold an election on the I'D
day ot February, 1864, for State officers.
The election was held, and ] being refugee
from my parish in the rebel lines, in CON
sequence of nv Union sentiments, was NOM
mated br the Free State party. as II was
called. and also by the extreme Radical
party, 81 which Thes j. Burant was the &C
knowiedged leader, as their candidate for
the office Of Lieutenant Governor. The first
IL L L. 4.
Governor, was elected Governor Hahn
served NATL The Attn OF March. 1865. when,
hy his resignation, succeeded TO the Office
Of Governor. In the meantime. and BIZ vir-
tAe OF military authority, election tor del
egafes 70 State Convention to amend and
revise the Constitution Of s52 had taken
place. The Convention met and framed y
Constitution declaring slavery 10 be aboisshed
which Constitution rs now the fundamental law
OF the State. Il is further well known the Con-
vention did rot adjourn sane die. but subject
To tie cal Of the President for any cause. a.
Legislature had also been elected and was N
SESSION stih- time Of the assumption by me
81 the duties Of the Office OF Governor.
Shortly afsar the collapse of the sc-calied
Confederate Government took place, and by
the surrender of the forces IN the trans
Mississippi Department. the entire territory
OF the State was restored 10 the lawful
therItv OF the United States When this
event took place. what was my Conduct to-
wards the population OF the eighteen parishes
reclaimed Although had been prosecuted
and driven from home by the rebel author.
ties ! suppressed all feeling OF rancour SO
natural To the human preas; under he cir
cumstanees. Ia belief that majority had
been ssduced from their allegiance to the old
flag BY the wiies of artful demagognes. who
brought on the rebellion, ! determined to try
the effect Of kindness and Cancellation IN
winning them back TO their first love. /
addressed them a proclamation, congratu>
iailng them on their restoration to the pro
lection Of the government OF law and order,
anu that as tar as ! vas concerned. ! was
willing to forget the past begged them TO
submit cheertully and unreseryediy TO the
new ORDER Of things. and assured them tina.
although the State Government had been or
Eanizec, vet ! was anxious thai general
election for State officers should be held, 10
which the whole State could participate.
fulfilled every word Of nv promise. ]
appointed men recommended to fiji the Offices
in the several parishes ! signed their APP
rlica,iSns 20 the President of the hited
States for special pardon. ! persisted in M
course Cf reconciliation, notwithstanding the
warnings and remonssrances OF Union men.
who beiieved My Policri would he unayail-
ing in accomplishing the purpose intended.
ara Eho predicted thai at tue very iirst cleo
ton these men in every parish where they
held the power woui. prescribe ever man
iron ofact ~ao had not been IN the rebel
army and fought FOR the rebel cause. These
predictions have been realized 10 the letter,
a. every subsequent election, with the exeeF's
ton Ct Hy eTr ease-aad Z Is VEL known,
Tor i w4s paailety avegea. taat vas Pat y
the head q thelr tie3et smply because It
was thouEAt gould Ire useful ~ securing a
representation @ 'he State II congress Il
Is further well known that the platform re-
ported hy ING committee aFpe'ntea Tor tnat
lIT!sss'' Y the Democratic NoaFensIon he'a
IL t.,ss e.'s was 3 re- ieFa'len q the doeiTlhe
~ tAs '.~AA q sscess-'il- -" ~As ZEE
sat'ssl-h @le eA's5 li'5'ss ~ '.5s 80 -:
"a 81 l9,-1~ q .-s Ia 'aae sis.s
u vas H,aHe a assa st .ue ,o'in -
N"'e- :. = aNei'-s y 'N - . .
l9n 80 Slsf.-A $50 = Dss''',''a
vas p-.4i~s seaS.''s'@ y -
ln sPeeea aFaVerel oe3ofs '-''a. oe1s i.e
ksil 4'11 was ~o'ss s'4AA . p
Wa o.NAeef- :. -,
NolN 's't Ss'A''''uA Au'i''l1-s.1H = -.
a = t't-. = - f =.
~ t"s ''. Nv a. -
Ca@s"- s.15.ie ~ - I !:
hss9 81 l'' ar - - -
assent ! AaVe ho ooaos "ouAA AAse Deei
ei'l'hee
"AsA li'e u ~ s's - = ~
ta H'es'ss 81 : ~ 80
sos, eVhsei4ec =! ''s 'Dt Nc p-4tOse v 'alr
IL more g fss'o'e st.e e. o.
- ssssa' measures 20 relet'li We eteU. Y "a
State, igaha tnetn more intent o.. gaining
tonFeE{igH q euatee Ing Constitution
lsP4 Teas. l" !lsoalo'e re ger srai interests
TIE Peohae- tf'e1F cAiei ohisst.aa Y saa
instrument vas tte eaAFacset q ~ TIE VIII
iFaa1ss u. ara sfie ao9;'llen OF slaFsrss
Having failea ~ the ex,Fa session 70 pass
biti rssl.aE me convention, Tue auempi wa
fspese1 - ths regular session ne'o IN u
month ct January. anc more-tnsn naf III
time nj that hody was spent III discussing III
question. fiuaiy committee was sen;
consult the President, and the l4egIslatu'
only abandoned the measure through his &C
vice.
/ considered convention inexped'ent, an
for that reason opposed II; haa Isarae
enough OF ths real sentiments OF the Poop
to CONVINCE me that il the new Constltuiio
was made, 1t would be less IN harmony vii
the views al the President and Congress tina