New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-08-02
pRgsuDaET JOHNSON AND TIKI MAS
BACRR.

recent massacre in New Orleans aud the causes pre-
cedne il. The more evidence we accumulate, the
more we are convinced of the justice OF the judgment
that the President must be held directly responsible
for all that has been done in Eew-Orleans He en-
gendercd the spirit which broke forth in riot muir
dered loyslists and finally raised tho Confederate
flag. ABOUT 40 persons have been killed. and
large number wounded, nearly all being friendly to
tho Convention :" This is tho result of the Prosi-
dents policy in Louisiana, and we regard II as
fitting sequel to the result Of that policy in Tennessee
where the military authorities are prevented from
Furnishing the authors of the massacre in Memphis.
Memphis, unavenged and UNPUBLISHED, is fifty followed
by New Orleans.
The President began his work Of interference July
81. when he asked Gov. Wells to inform him
under and by what authority the Convention had
been called, and also under what authority 1t
assumed to represent the State of Louisiana.
This was before the massacre. Gov. Wells was
Governor. of Louisiana. and, according to tho
Presidents frequently proclaimed theories as much
sovereign in his way as the President him.
self. The menace 10 Gov. Wells was as much usur-
patton rs though the President were TO address letter
TO Gov Fenton to know under and by what authority
he summoned the State Legislature. Gov Wells
dsobeyed tho President and issued his proclamation
for elections TO DO held to choose delegates to the
Convention to fill yscancicS-a that he could do by
tho letter of tho law. Thereupon, July %. the
Attorney General and the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
unwilling to obey the Law or to permit the mat
ter 10 20 10 tho courts to test its constitution
aty-again telegraphcd the President, stating
that a riot was feared that the Gov
ernor was guilty OF the horrible crime OF
beng in league with the Republicans" that II was
intended 10 ndict the members by grand jury. and
asking whether the President would interfere with
The indictment. To which. July %, the Presi'
dent replied that 81 the military will bo expected to
sus ain and not obstruct or interfere with the pro-
ceedngs of the courts" In other words, Go ahead,
gentlemen; indic( or what you please; no SOL
diers shall modest you" This was on Saturday.
Mayor Monroe proclaimed his purpose to suppress the
Convention. lie summoned neutrality-suspicious..
be il known who were selected Cor their valor 10
Rebefarmies This police force and tho mob acted
together with bloody harmony, and did this work OF
suppression thoroughly.
When the Convention assembled the President
issued his order to Mr.. Heron. member Of Gov.
wellss Cabinet In the first place that order deposed
Gov. Wells for not obeying the President. In tho
second place it placed Gen Sheridan under the
troll Of State officer In tbs third place its language
was not that of a calm executive officer. perform
ing a solemn ministerial duty, bnt Of violent, angry
man. speaking TO angry people. Usnps,ion viii not
be tolerated -" the people must DO frs, consulted
all illegal or unlawful assemblies" must be sup
presed Let il be remembered that these words were
written TO a community Of Rebels 10 men who were
see,hing with Anger and hatred and who cherished
no more darling idea than being permitted to gain, IN
the streets Of New-Oreans. that revenge which the
valor Of Sherman aud Sheridan prevented them from
gaining in the field. They were in safe majority.
They were armed They were commanded by the
Mayor and sustained by the President Of the United
States. The negroes and loyalsts were unarmed
and the soldiers Of the nation we're compelled to
ground their muskets and look OF at the massacre
The work Of massacre was easy indeed.
II is impossible to resist the logic of this whole pro-
ceedng. 1t was commenced jay 2 by menacing
Gov. Wells, a Governor Of sovereign State; it
was continued by deposing him and, to make the
work surer, by placing the army at the control Of
Rebel officer. If the Presden had sent manly
dispatch to General Baird-to preserve peace at
all hazards and protect every loyal man, leaving
people to do what was best yhen peace came but
stilio make peace--thc countr would have felt thai
the affair was merely riot anduppressed as all riots
should be- But when the coutry in NewOr-
leans what was seen in Memphisnd Alexandria direct
personal sympathy between thePresdent and rioters,
can it release tho President 'om most fearful re-
sponsibltyi DO We not see tbs man-while clamor-
ing against suIpation-perfoping himself the very
highest usurpation when it uits his purpose. He
deprecates interfering with sates and removes
State Governor lie desires construction, and yet
whom Tennessee wished 10 cNe into the Union by
the only open door, he stood her way. We very
much fear that all these rotestations of re-
spect for principle and dere for peace and
willingness to trust the p'ple are the mere
words of poltician-whout sincerity and
spoken 10 deceive. Just rs wht be called himself the
| Moses of tho negro and declare treason was odious,
and gave interviews to Radcalske Kelly and Stearns,
which made them trust him, bespoke as a politician
| for purposes OF deception. II acts are the only
speeches we want. They bow stern, unjust
purpose. Andrew johnson esres 10 reconstruct
this Union in his own Fay--and TO do IL
in spite Of every oppotion. lie means
that il in his power the Soutlshall again rule the
councils of this country. He elnot return the negro
to Slavery but it is his will thdhe negro shall never
| leave it. And TO do this he oes TO his work with
coarse, unscrupuous energy-wh courage and per-
sistency which we respected zen he assaiied the
country's enemies, but which now the sources Of
national grief and humiliation.
| A stranpe decision has Just be rendered in North