The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-09

There are DISTINGUISHING clauses IN the
Constitution of 1864. The much abused
members OF shat Convention had 1t in their
power to have made Constitution as
stringent against those engaged in the
Rebellion as Tennessee and Missouri have
done. They, however, pursued an opposite
course and trusted that these men would be
actuated by spirit of tolerance and forbearance
in return for the hberality shown towards them.
How the members of that Convention have been
treated individually by the very men whose
good faith they trusted in, to say nothing of the
scorn and vi6cation Illuminated against the
Constitution which they made, let the record
OF the bloody dongs at Mechanics Institute, on
Monday, answer.
In keeping with the unrelentng policy to keep
the power of the state in their own hands ex-
clusively, they opposed the meeting of the
Convention. They needed no better monitor
than their own conscience to tell them that by
their proscriptlve conduct they had forfeited all
claim to further liberty from the original mem
bers OF that Convention. They resolved that it
must be put down and crushed out at all risks.
The scenes of the 3Otn of July were confidently
predicted in case the Convention met. They
were the result OF the letter of Mayor Monroe
to General Baird. Accompanying this commu-
| nlcation Is proof that it was the determination,
If every other means tailed, to resort to force.
Everything was arranged on Sunday prepara-
tory to this purpose. The police received their
| orders, and on Monday morning they we're
| in large numbers at the corners of
| Canal and Dryades streets, each having one or
| more revolvels on his person, Why were they
there except to commit violence? Among all
| that is charged against the speakers at Friday
| nights meeting, they can cite nothing more
| than that the blacks should come armed to de-
ieRd the Convention in case the members we're
| attacked.
Admitting they were assembled for that pur-
| pose, what occasion was there Tor alarm, unless
| 1t was meditated to assault the Convention.
The inference is irresistible, that tue massing of
| the police was designed TO break In upon the
| Convention. For that purpose beginning was
| necessary, and She opportunity sought for soon
| occurred by ne arrival Of procession of
blacks, with music, on their way to the place of
| meeting of the Convention.
| When the procession entered the street.
| crowded with policemen and citizens. at the
corner of Canal and Dryades streets, it was
received with insult and ieeTs which brought
on a collision. shot was fired, but the affair
ended in nothing serious. The next act of vio-
| lenCe wac the arrest of coored man by a
policeman In front of the Institute, but for what
otiense | am unable to say.
The crowd of colored persons naturally be-
came excited: br'c&bats were then thro wn and
a shot tired, the testimony gong to show that 1t
was done by one of the colored crowd. 1t was
answered by several shots from the crowd OF
policemen at the corner, and followed by raoid
|
fire as fast as they could, but, being oVerpowered
and driven from the street, took shelter in the
Mechanics Institute. If the object of the police
was simply to preserve the public peace why
did not they, after the men had taken refuge,
retire to their original positions at the corner oil
the street, which eectually cut of egress from the
front, and placing guard to Watch the rear OF
the building await the arrival of The military,
who were known to be on their way? The only
reason for their course is that it did not suit
their purpose. They accordingly advanced on
the front of the building, and beseged 1t on all
SIDES. Every negro who attempted to escape
, was murdered, Crowning the climax of their
murderOus and bloody acts.
1t is well known that when the white flag was
hung out as token of surrender the police ar
rested the members OF the Convention, and
other white citizens, and brought them into the
street, where the most prominent OF those hold
: ing Union sentiments were shot stabbed and
beaten while in custody and in the presence OF
the entire police of the city,
Why did not the Mayor, or his Chief oi
of Police station a guard at the door, and forbid
any person from entering. and then await the
I arrival OF the military? By these means the
last and most deliberate phase of the bloody
TRAGEDY would have been avoided 1t is also
or attempt to arrest, even one of the
rlotous citizens, who, according to their oft
repeated statements, were continually attacking
wounding, and killing persons who had sur
rendered, and were in their custody. / think
have fully shown that it was the design of those
opposed to the Convention to break it up by
force. Il, ~ -
The inference to be drawn from the letter Of
| the Mayor is that such course was resolved
upon, and the massing of the police, and their
| willingness to rush into the fight, | think fully
establishes the fact that the cause OF this exhbi
ton of violence and mob law must be traced
further back. -s
1t is the embers of the fire of the rebellious
| feeling which plunged this country into desc
latlng civil war, and the flame is not yet ex
| tinguished in the hearts of the former slave
holding aristocracy.
| Having failed in their first ATTEMPT to de
stroy the Government, they seek to retain poll
| tical power by the same spirit of political Vio
lence by which their chiefs had sustained their
supremacy before the war. My deliberate
opinion is that if the military forces be with
| drawn, the lives of Union men who proved
themselves conspicuous in maintaining their
allegiance will not be safe.
The ultimate security both of the Government
and Union men of the South depends, in nv
opinion, on the ratification Of the Constitutional
amendment proposed by Congress, and the en-
| iranchisement of the loyal black man as ne be-
comes educated and qualified for that important
| privilege.
If the advocacy of mere measures identifies
me with the radical party in opposition to the
| President must accept the situation; besides
| | cannot change my position in respect to nv
| feelings. l deem it necessary to preserve and
| perpetuate the Union. j. MADISON WELLS,
Governor of Louisiana.
From Cincinnati.
| CINCINNATI. AupuSt o-ThPra were