Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-08-10
THE NEW ORLEANS RI0T..-WHAT LED
To


March, 1864, for delegates to Convention
for the revision and amendment of the Con-
stitution OF louisiana. This election was
ordered by Gen. Banks, then commanding
the Federal forces in New Orleans, and in
compliance with the terms of Mr.. Lincoln's
proclamation authorising tho formation of
State Governments in those States then in
arms against tho Federal authority. when
one-tenM of the people werc in favor OF
returning to the Federal Union. Louisias
ma, at that tire, had, by formal act of a
duly elected State Convention, seeded
from the Federal Union, and had estab
lished State Government under the South
ern Confederacy. Not more than one>fiftb
CT the territory Of the State, and less than
ore'torth of the legal voters, were, at the
date OF tho election in March, 1864, under
the jurisdiction or control Of the Federal
forces.
The order Of Gen. Banks, calling Con-
vent'on, prescribed the number ofdelegates
to be elected and the qualifications of vo-
ters-in both these particulars very differ
ent from tho requirements of tho Constitu-
:ion ard laws Of The State. This action of
Gen. Banks was based upon his military
authority under tho proclamation Of Mr..
Lincoln, and at a time when the only pow
or of the United States Government, over
the State Of Louisiana, was that claimed
from the military occupation of the coun-
try. The Convention assembled on the
9Th of April, 1864, and proceeded at once
to revise and amend the State Constitution,
and organize a State Government, in oppo-
ton to the regularly constituted State
Government then in existence, whose cap
itai was at Baton Rouge. This Military
Convention closed its labors and adjourn
ed Of the 25th of July, 1861. The State
was then under military law, and the mill
tary authorities Of the Federal Govern.
ment assumed and directed The conduct of
affairs in all portions of the State over
which they had succeeded in planting their
arms. The Constitution adopted by the
Convention was submitted to the class of
voters alone wko were declared by the
military to the military to be qualified cleo
tors, and by them SO ratified. By the aid
of the military authorities the Constitu-
ton was put in operation, and the State
Government, formed under it, duly install.
led in power and authority.
TIE Government thus inaupurated and
the Constitution thus framed and ratified.
have been recognized since that time as
the only Government Of the State After
cessation Of hostilities, The State Govern.
ment continued to be regarded as the only
legally constituted State organization in
the State of Louisiana, and has used and
enjoyed all the functions Of perfect State
Government. Under this Constitution a
Governor and Legislature we're elected,
and Judiciary appointed.
Tho only class of persons in Louisiana
who could claim any right to the question
the legality of this State Government, are
the men who were excluded from any par
tlcipation in its orgauization- who,
at the time it was iuaugurated, were op-
posed to its purposes, and denied its lepi,i-
macy-the men who acknowledged the
supremacy of the Baton Rouge State Gov.
ernment, and were identified with the
States struggle for independence. x
When the war ended, with the loss Of
the Confederate cause, these nen-consti-
tuting a large majority Of the legal voters
of the state-quietIy- acquiesced in; the
change made in their organic laws, and
peacefully submitted to the authority of
this new Government. They abandoned
all hopes of reyiving their old State organ.
izstion, and, yielding to tie pressure of the
times, determined to accept the new order,
Of affairs in good faith, and try to make
the best they could out Of it. = =,
In attemptipgto carry out his reoonstno.
ton policy, President Johnson has recoe-
nized the existing State Government as the
'roe representative and agent Of the people
of Louisiana, and as, in all his official,
communications With It, regarded it as the
legally constituted Government: The laws,
which have been passed by it,, have been
duly observed and enforced. No doubt of
their legality has been raised, and no at
tempt to svade them been GOA templated.
All worked harmoniously, until the Rsdi.
Gala began to develop their hostility; TO Lie
restoration Of the Union. When they.
commenced: To- wage Sthsis ,xsrsupen the
President; they sapposea sthat the, .Louisis
ana State: Government would support tthism