The national Republican., 1866-08-01

General Candy was borne into the Conven-
ton. II commanded the imrnaaiats release
Of the "culprit" Consternatjuk and indig-
nation ensued. The widest excitement pre-
vailed. But, reckless as they were, they
could not brave the "boys in blue"
The whole history Of this convention Is in
parallel with what has been briefly narrated.
It's gross corruption, reckless extravaganza
and stupsndous folly are matters Of history.
And now / come TO It's connection with the
recent unfortunate riots ~,ts.a
When this convention was sought 10 be
revived, the memory Of its corruption and
the character Of its members produced
mingled degree Of ridicule and denunciation.
A great portion Of the people could scarcely
deem II possible the attempt would be made.
To be sure, resolution Of the convention
empowered its preadent to reconvoke the
members at any future day. A great time
had elaped. Though conceived in sin and
born in iniquity,r the people had accepted
its enactments, and the whole machinery Of
the State worked under its provisions. When
the Legislature afterwards met, an effort was
made to call new convention, but wisely
deferring to the wish Of the President the
matter was abandoned. The Legislature
and its master, the people, had but one
wish-complete restoration and harmony in
the Union, to which end they almost unani-
mously gave their sincere adhesion to the
policy Of the President, and, as before re-
marked, altogether abandoned the idea Of
new convention and accepted the situa-
tion." .. ......
The various "hole-and-corner" meetings Of
the Convention Of "a excited no general
alarm; bnt when, after the refusal Of the
President Of that Convention to reconvoke
1t, portion of the members chose presi-
dent pro tenn, in the person Of R. X. Howell,
who issued proclamation naming the 30th
ult. as the day for reassembling, the
people felt that the madness Of the fac
tionists had no limit. Considerable feeling
was engendered, which yas heightened by
the knowledge that the Governor had
leagued himself with the madmen, falsify-
ing his promises to the people and the Ma
tional Executive. And here, lei me remark,
the person chosen as the president pro tenn.
Of the Convention is not member thereof.
Before he lost all selfrespect, becoming dis
gusted, he resigned and retired from the
Convention Of "a, and hts resignation was
accepted and spread on the minutes. An
effort was afterwards made to reconsider the
acceptance Of that resignation, which failed
for lack Of q quorum. Thus, the printed
proceedings show conclusiyely that he is not
= member. But perhaps this point amounts
,. -hsn we take into consideration
70 ou, ''''e' W. "anlnning to end I,
that their every act rom - s-.nk.
has been characterized by illegality an. 49,.
lessness. ..
After Gov. Wells had pledged himself to
the purposes Of the factionists, the popular
outcry became so great that he grew weak
kneed and retreated from his new-found
friends into the country. Some means had
now to be resorted to in order to "screw his
courage to the sticking point" The newly
made president Of the convention and an
other person we're dispatched in hot haste to
Washington. Seeking the leaders Of the rad
icals in Congress, they misrepresented our
affairs in every conceivable way. With some
they were countenanced and encouraged
with others, I understand, they failed. How
ever, they sent to their friends in New Or
leans the most glowing accounts Of their re-
ception and SUCCESS. These dispatches were
borne to the Governor in the country,
and he was thus bofstered up with
new life and courage. Away from the
capital and the executive Office, in the
country retreat Of Rapides parish, he fulmi-
mated his proclamation ordering an election
for the Sd Of September to fill vacancies in
the to-be resurrected convention. Strength
ened by this act Of the Governor, the con-
ventiOnites became embOldened, and, al
though foolish heretofore in their street
rawlings, gave rein to the most unbounded
licentiousness Of tongue. They would show
the world what they would do; they would
turn every man out Of Office, seize the State
and city treasures, arrest and imprison
their enemies, suppress certain named jour
nails, and, to cover up their own designing
purposes Of repeated plunder and secure the
aid and protection of Congress, announced
that universal suffrage was the grand acme
Of their ambition.
And here the reader will allow little d-
version from the subject The equality of
the races with the faction spoken of is not
sincere. They care nothing for the negro.
They make him cloak for their nefarious
designs. The respectable radicals of New
Orleans have not and do not countenance
them. Thomas J. Durant, gentleman at
once talented, consistent, and honest in his
views, and known throughout the United
States as radical Of the deepest dye, has
openly denounced their illegal acts, and does
not countenance the reassembling of their
Convention.
The wild boastings Of the conventionites
naturally produced great feeling in the COM
munity which was increased to the highest
pitch when they assembled mass meeting
OF negroes, and by inAammatory speeches,
colIn,y;,.r ha 30 othou, ,s..lo 4.