The national Republican., 1866-08-01
The New Orleans Riot.
THE CONVENTION OF 1864.
WHAT LED 10 RIoTOUs PROCEEDINGS


At the urgent request Of number Of
prominent Louisianians now in this city, sec
onded by your own solicitation, have some
what hastily and imperfectly prepared for
your columns truthful narrative Of events
in New Orleans, which have eliminated in
proceedings which every good citizen Of
Louisiana and our common country must
greatly deplore.
The Convention Of 1864 was the offspring
Of the military commander, General BANKS.
The State at that time was but partially un-
der the United States flag, and consequently
but very small portion ofthe State was repre-.
resented in that Convention. Several Of the
members were said to have been chosen from
gunboats, one from the forces beseiging Port
Hudson, another obtained three votes in
Baton Rouge, and others presented creden-
tials from parishes where they not only did
not reside, but had never visited.
OF the character Of many Of the delegates
IL is perhaps unnecessary to say much at
this time. An instance or two may be
given: R. K. Cutler, a leading spirit Of TINT
convention and honored by it as one Of the
two elected for seats in the United States
Senate, is notorious as having absconded
from the State Of Illinois, where he stood
indicted for counterfeiting. A transcript Of
the court Of Massac county, Of that State,
has been in my possession for many months,
and therefore speak by the card. Another
had been arrested in New Orleans some time
previous, for the commission Of crime, and
forfeited his bail by absconding. With but
few exceptions the character Of the mem
bers was Of the most infamous nature.
That convention met, and prolonged its
session many months. Under the plea Of
sovereignty it enacted scenes Of the most
outrageous character. Bacchanaiian orgies
took place in midday and during its sittings.
Back Of the Speakers chair were two oppo-
site rooms, one Of which contained casks and
demijohns of liquyi the other was the bar
room proper. To this room they constantly
repaired, and with the choicest liquors, fur
nished at the States expense, kept their
spirits elevated and their patriotic blood fred
to a degree never before attained in tho an-
mails Of lepis,,... ,,..'"n. Cigars, Of the costliest
brands, were there in abu..H .H"nce 'or the mem
bers and their friends. The eagle ..' " 'H'
pelican tapped their wings from huge piles
Of cigar boxes, which filed up the waste
rooms Of the building which was given
patriotic name. Lyceum Hall no more.
Liberty Hall, gentlemen, do L. as You
please" And they followed the advice
Of the renowned Jack Falstafi, "The first
thing we'll do, Hal, let's rob the exchequer."
Plunder and extravaganza ruled. Two men,
bers were caught by the keeper of the hall
emerging therefrom with piles Of valuable
stationery. Brandy, cigars, ice, etc., were
taken to the residences Of the members. An
| officer Of the Convention, whose ardor was
fred by the patriotic example set him, made
q fortune by abstracting articles furnished at
the States cost for the delectable enjoyment
Of Its glorious representatives. Finally, these
disgraceful scenes Of everyday occurrence
eliminated in grand saturnalia of dissipa-
tion-a free fight" ruled the hour. "Con-
fusion worse confounded" pervaded the as
sembly. Black eyes, bloody noses, broken
chairs and tables attested the choice quality
Of the States liquors and the sincere devo-
tion to the Union which animated the men,
bers Of the Convention. The Times exposed
and stigmatized their conduct. That journal
was denounced therefor, every member on
his feet at the same time, although many
had to preserve their equilibrium by support.
| inn fhavn QoIvoo NTH ha ha;r,
Nothing would appease their wrath but
the arrest and imprisonment of the
editor and the suppression of the paper.
Great excitement followed. The Conven-
ton, as I before remarked, claimed to
exercise sovereign authority in all things.
The square in which the Times Office was sit
uated was surrounded by police, ordered
there upon the warrant Of the Convention.
The body Of one Of the owners of the paper,
whose name stood at the head of its columns.
and who therefore was sought to be made re-
sponsible for the exposure which, had made,
was hunted in every part Of the city. Gen.
Candy, then in command of the Division,
was appealed to. He commanded the dis
persion Of the police. The Convention then
sought the aid Of its putative father, Gen.
Banks. As commander Of the Gull, he issued
a military order, and the ostensible offender
was conducted by the Provost Marshal into
the sacred precincts Of Liberty Hail." and
unto the august presence of its greatly Of
Tended Solons.
The scene that there and then ensued my
pen is not sufficiently graphic to describe
it beggars description" Every member at
tempted to rise and speak at the same time.
Finally, when order was somewhat restored,
the notorious Cutler led off Us the Cicero
Solon-Demosthen Lycurgus of his immac-
ulate confreres. That the reader may form
some idea Of his grand, luminous effort, in
which he often scared "Olympus high" and
:" ducked again as low as hell's from Heaven"
l give one extract, for the correctness Of
which vouch, and which will be attested
by the first gentlemen Of New Orleans. An
athematizing the Times for daring to expose
the convention, and hurling the most bitter