Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-08-07
Great Riot in New Orleans.

On Monday of last week, the city of New
Orleans was the theatre of most violent dis
order. aud OF bloody and disastrous riot
During the continuance of the riot, more than
thirty persons were killed, and large nuns
Der wounded. Among the latter are Ex>Goy.
Hahn and Alfred Shaw, both leading members
of the Radical Convention. Most of those
killed were negroes. From the editorial COL
unIns of the Richmond Dispatch we copy
we'll prepared summary of the causes which
led TO this disgraceful outbreak
We publish this morning the dispatches
relative to the riot and bloodshcd in New
Orleans on Monday last 1t is fearful re-
suit Of the seditiOus proceedings of the revo-
lutionists in Louisiana. The members of the
Convention of May; 1864, on that day. ac-
cord'ng to appointment, met in New Orleans,
with the avowed purpose of altering the Con-
stltutlon OF the State in defiance of the plain
provisions Of that instrument ITSELF More.
over, the Convention was an extinct BODY
and had no more power to act. upon the sub
jects they proposed to- discuss than any Of the
citizens of the State.
The meIhbers constituting the Convention
which now attempted to take under it's au-
thnrlty the constitution and to alter and amend
1t were, the large majority of them, very dis.
reputable characters. Judge Abel, who was
amember Of that Convention, but who is now
judge of the First District Court of New
Orleans. in charge in which he denounced
the Convention as detunct body, aud spoke
OF ats purposes as revolutionary, thus de-
scribes the body itself: Some of these men
were de>erters from the Confederate army.
OTHERS held offices under the Contederacy,
civil aud mlitary-and others raised guards
for its detemce." They were tratOrs-men
OF no honor and no integrity fit samples of
the re OlutlOnists in the Southern States gen
orally.
The imPudence of these traitors and rego-
iuti"nists greatly excited the people of New
Orleans They (the traitors) boldly pro-
claimed that they would be sustained by the
military authority. in usurpiug the right to
al er or amend the fundamental law of tie
State, in direct violation Of the very consti-
tuition they had framed and the laws hey had
adopted Their object no doubt was to es-
tablsh negro sufFra- e and test oath, and,
ousting the present Government, to secure
the offices to their own revolutionary party
1t was also designed to force through the
congressional amendment to the CONSTITUTIONS
While the botdmesS of these lawiess Radi-
Gals greatly incensed the public, the negroes.
lmbIbInS vague idea suggested no doubt by
the corrupt members of the Convention, that
that body was what they called u free Com
venti"n," which was to do wonderful things
for theuI. began to act in very insulting aud
defiant manner They got up military drills,
aud were very noisy and Obtrusive with their
demonstrations On the day of the assem-
bling OF the Convention they appeared in mil
itary order with arms, and flags, aud drums
The dispatches tell the rest Of the tragic
story.
1t is strange that the Governor (WEELs)
of Louisiana should have issued au order tor
the holding of this unlawful Convention.
The Secretary of State refused to certify
orders for filling the vacancies in the Gonven-
tlOn. The Governor belongs to the Radicals;
but the courts and the entire public voice
are against him.
Mayor Munroe, apprehending a riot, had
exhibited Il great deal of vigilance and fore
caste i'll preparing for the worst. lie tee-
graphcd the President, who assured him in
structions would be given the military to
sustain the courts. 1t had been intended. to
arrest the members by authority Of the courts.
and it was rumured that the military would
prevent the execution OF civil process upon
them. Indeed, the Federal commander pub
licIy declared that the Convention should not
be interrupted.
Whether the instructions of the President
reached New Orleans in time or not. the
general commanding. BAIRD, stood by with
folded arms while the horrors of Monday
prevailed. He did not appear with his troops
unit! order was restored, and then '.he declared
martial law!'
The conduct of the general is strange.
We are gratifed to see 6y the Washington
l"te/tiye"cer OF yesterday that '''Ae Pres.,'ent
has sent ttH Instructions to put a prompt end
to these dreadful OccurreucexI''