New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-09-11
Official Report Of MajOr.Gen' Baird.
The Police Could have Suppressed the kio'
had they not been the Rioters.
The Responsibility Of the Crime Fixed Upon tho
Rebel Authorities.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF LOUISIANA,
NEW ORLEANS La, August, loob }

ton OF the ha1orItfeneral snO
port concerning the riot of the 30th ultimo.
Il was matter Of public notoney that the ConEenuon
of 1864 was 10 meet here on that date.
Some weeks previously it had been in session, and had
continued its meetings during several days 1t had ex
cited much opposition and there were threats OF breaking
it up yet 1t remained undsturbed, and TO one nnac
qnainted with the political views aud CONSIDERATIONS ny
which the persons hostile it influenced there was
no reason to suppose that the proposed assembse would
not be passed by in the same peaceat e manner.
Since the not have been informed by gentlemen OK
the highest carbohydrates Of wealth and influence,
belonging 10 the party inmieal to the Conventon-that
the question OF its meeting had been BY them July ds-
cussed in all of It's bearings that it had been proposed
first to treat it with dcue next 10 go into the move
men and by superior numbers TO send delegates to over
whel and control it. But upon rejecting that the mem
bers already elected would be the Judges to the qua-
cations of new ones it feared that this purpose might
be frustrated and then determined to treat the
meeting az an unlawful assembage and such to break
1t up at all hazards.
mention these facts snow that, while to those OUT
side the political arena the dangers Of disturbance might
have appeared imminent 10 one like myse-entrey OUT
side of the ring keeping myself from sense Of duty
no such view could have presented itself -
They 90 TO show that the ground that took as I'd
the night Convention TO operate so long as no overt
act Of hostility the established State government was
committed, not until recent date disputed ana IL
now maintained bv many prominent lawyers in this city,
As TO the Convention itself being personally acquainted
with but three of it, members, and as had no
intercourse with them may not have understood proper
y the object it had in view Ny information concerning
il 7as nearly all derived from unfend tourees but from
little knowledge had upon the subject, could not
nad any more authority TO remodel the State government
than any other atsemblage Of citizens Yet behcyed
they had right TO meet and 20 as ana 20 reserve pro-
Had the result been TO obstt any officer Of the state
in the exercise of his office or an attempt upon the part OF
any person to exercise tie functions OF state once,
unless authorized do SO by the President Of the United
States should have regarded this as an overt act cahng
for military interference provided the civil powers were
unable TO defend themselves and punish the agerssor
believe further TO arrest these citizens end mold hem
10 bail prior the commiss Of any overt a OF crime,
violation Of their rights and had tue eiyH courts
failed 20 relieve them promptly from such dress, upon
wit OF habeas corpus IL would become my duy II called
upon in conformity with the requirements Of the recent
order of the aforementioned commanding nc armies
designed for the protection Of American etTns TO inter
erc with military force for their relief and possibly
to take into custody and hold in military confinement
these VINO had committed the wrong This idea IN rela-
ton 10 M duties Tor the order OF Gen Ggaut, en-
dcayord to convey the gentlemen who came 10 sec NE
| in relation TO breaking up the Con- ention.
On the 25th july received from the Hon. John T.
Monroe ofhe City of New0reans letter Of winch the
/ following Is copy;
MAYoRALrY OF NEW ORLEANS
cuY Hall, July 25 is6d.
Byere, Major Gen. BAIRD. cSH1lanlias. &c
ConTenoa Of ls6g and whose avowed obet sabver
Municipal and State governments will learn assemble in
Tne avs and ordinances of the city which my oath Of office
makes obligatory upon me to sec fahiay eIeeuisd deee
guilty unawfu and as sdeh to be dispersed by the hsyor
is my intention disperse this unlawful nssembage IL
found wlthn the corporate Gis o. Tue CITY y sre'Ds tue
municipal law provided they meet without tue sanction o. TIE
military authorities. -,,.
nience YOU win ncr whether the projected neeng has
your appreciation, so that may act Accordingly aa'
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF LOUISIANA
NEwoRLEANs La July p, $50 -
Hon. JOIN T. MONROE Mayor Of ue CAy u AcE- O'leaas.
SIR: have received your Communication Of the s19 inst.
informing that body Of men. claiming 70 be members Of
the present municipal aud SAFE governments about TO AZ
seub this CITY, and regarding this asssmblsge as one OF
peace tranquility and therefore unlawful beieyehto
be your duty aud that your intention to dsprse tA "a
lawful assembly II found within the corporate limits oil the
city, by arresIg the members thereof aud holding them
accountable to the existing municipal laws provided they
inquire whether the projected meeting has ap
probation SO that you may oct accordingly
Ia reply have tue honor 10 state that the assenbage to
which YOU refer has not far tue sanction
appreciation of any military authority for It's meetings
such authority 10 meet Us military commanders
have been the State lave held themselves strictly aooi
from al interference with the political movement Of the citi
gems OF Louisiana For my part have carefully RETAINED
from any expression Of opinion upon either side OF the many
government. When asked il intended 10 fur.
nis& the Convention military on. guard roo. G si
DIV protect it's sttngs" persons assemble,
you say intended it Win be- presume in virtue Of the mi
yersaiy conceded right all loyal citizens OF the United
states to meet peacesby freely concern
ING heir civil governmena right which is not restricted
BY that the moyemeat proposed might terminate In
| change OF the existing Institutions.
the aseutage question has the Legal right to remodel
the State government should be protected in doing II
then its labors must be looked upon as narss
cspon ot the duty imposed by your oath of office regret TO
differ from you entirely. cannot understand hoW the Mayor
Of city undertake 10 decide Important and delicate
question the legal authority upon which Convention,
claiming represent the people OF an entire state bases It's
This doubtless w in due time properly decided upon
BY lega branches Of the United Safes Government AT
all svent tue State would TO be
directly ca ed upon take the initiative step Of this KIDD
and Necessary. What most want az the
e Of ; .e II WIEN YOU SPEAK Of the projected
meeting calculated to disturb the public peace anc
TRANQUILITY am to understand you regard number
persons no differ In opinion nom those who will constitute
large and the avssuesS Of their character so vel
established that you doubt ability Of your small force
POLICE 10 control them you such only call npor
and viii bring 10 your assistance not only troops nov
II may my power 10 assemble either upon the land
upon the Lawess violence must be suppressed and
tits connection the recent order LeiensntG General
DESIGNED for the protection Of citizens Of the United States
deserves careful consideration 1t imposes high obligation,
no ordinance the State engaged in peaceful ayocatoDs
am sir very respectfully yOsr 0sedisni ss'y9 van,
Commanding Department OF LoussiaDa-
! These letters require little comment The Mayor an
nounced his intention break the assembly as an u
| lawful assembly, and 1 reply that eannot regard IL
within the scope OF his duties as municipal officer 70
decide that question; bnt the contrary that do
gard % be bis duty custodian of the public peace to
protect the assembly long no disorder is committed.
On Friday night July ~ meeting Of Radical persons
was held in tho Mechanics Institute Ii was composed
largely of colOred people, and was addressed by exoy.
Hahn DR. Dostie ard Others At a later hour q torch.
light procession of the individuals addressed n
mont the City Hall by Dr. Doste All of these speeches,
except those of Dr. Dostie said 10 have been temper
ate. OF this the only report which have is 10 be found
in opposition papers and its authenticity denied. The