The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-13
,ouisiana and the New Orleans Riot
The COmmittse's Report.

rom He Ifnles .." .TI .H..
The report of Messrs Eliot and Shellabarger
"a majority of the House Committee APP
uDpinted to investigate circumstances CON
slected with the New Orleans riot, and the
Oolitical condition of Louisana--materially
adds to our previous knowledge on the sub
acct. The inquiry conducted some months ago
by the military authorities was conclusive as
70 the nature of the occurrences, and the par
ties responsible for the murders and outrages
which attended them. General Sheridan's
carly and off-hand description was verified to
tbe letter. The Mayor and his minions were
sboUn 70 have been the authors of all the
trouble: the killing of the Conventionists was
nroved to be wanton, brutal murder on the
part of the police; and the friends and pro-
noters of the Convention were vindicated from
The aspersions which, in the first instance,
were cast upon them.
But though the report just presented to Con-
eress can scarcely deepen the impression pro-
duced by these earlier revelations, the fullness
of its details render them more distinct. The
Testimony taken is vOluminOus, and embraces
1,robably all that could be adduced on both
sides. The Committee appears to have
excluded nothing that could shed ray of
light upon the affair." and If its recital of events
brings out much that is not new, it certainly
reproduces the whole case with startling vivid
ness and effect. Whatever doubts may have
attached to evidence acquired by a military
tribunal, there can be none after studying the
Testimony gathered in the course of the Con-
fressional investigation. The peaceful charaC-
ter of the Convention movement-the absence
Df excitement at the meetings of Unionists held
Immediately preceding the Convention-the
falsity of the Rebel stories in regard to the
meetings-the law-abiding disposition of the
members of the Convention and their assem-
bled friends-the brutal violence and cruelty
of the police, and their unprovoked murders,
acting evidently in pursuance of prearranged
plans-these are points which Messrs. Eliot and
Shellabarger have placed beyond controversy.
The course of President Johnson IN regard to
the affair may possibly continue the occasion OF
some difference of opinion. One new fact is
brought out, however, which deserves mention.
A statement current at the time of the riot was
that Governor Wells had absented himself from
the city and could not be found and that in
consequence the President was obliged to COM
municate with the Lieutenant-Governor and
Attorney General, whose sympathies were with
the Thugs. We gather from this report that
Governor Wells was not absent, and that the
recognition of Messrs. Voorhies and Heron was
irregular and inexcusable. The report con-
the President inspired them and their Rebel
associates with belief that the authority of
the National Government would be exercised
in their favor; and the inference is deduced
that this circumstance contributed to the un-
lawful attack upon the Conventionists, and
what General Sheridan stigmatized as the
E'absolute massacre by the police" which fol-
lowed. The facts are suggestive, and the con-
Clusion is not unreasonable.
The letter of the Secretary of War relieves
the President from the responsibility con-
neCted with the failure to reply to the despatch
of General Baird, dated 2Sth July, setting
forth facts known in connection with the
intended assembly, and asking for instructions
by telegraph. Mr.. Stanton did not consider
Instructions necessary, because he assumed
that General Baird would protect the Conven-
tion, and that his warning to the city autho-
rites would be respected 1t is unfortunate
for the President that ON the day on which
Ibis despatch was sent from New Orleans, he
advised Lieutenant Governor Voorhies that the
military would be expected to sustain the
proceedings of the civil authorities as against
the Convention. Still more unfortunate is it
that after the riot and after the barbarous
conduct of the police had been made evident,
a despatch was addressed, by order of the
President instructing General Baird not to
Sil,terpose any obstacle in the way of the civil
authorities" On the same day-August L
General Sheridan transmitted his memorable
.despatch. and On the Sd General Grant directed
him to maintain martial law. The error com
nitted by the President was thus corrected.
But the fact remains that confusion and diff
Guilty were produced by his independent action
in relation to the military. Mr. Stanton's idea
of General Bairds duty was the opposite OF
that entertained by the President; and the
despatch of one neutralized the understanding
of the other. Political and military autho-
rity were unwittingly antagonistic, and pubic
interests suffered in consequence.
The Committees representations with re-
ference to public opinion in New Orleans and
throughout Louisiana are untavOrable. The
Rebel element dominates, and its influence ano
i,Inso,ence are on the increase. The testimony
irdned differs upon this head, even where
ITnion witnesses are concerned; some assert
irg that they carry on their business unmo
1asted others averring that they are not per
rnitted TO live in peace. The contradlctlol, W.
take it. is rather apparent than real. NorIiierl
men who are silent concerning the heDelhol
md keep their Unionism to themselves, eXpe
Gence no trouble; while active, decided adhe
rents of the National Government ma IN
State uncomfortably hot. Ueheral SherloSIi ~,
oSiSence agrees with this Interpretation. Tn
Rebels, he says, profess TO accept tlle si'u. io
4;o, INIT when they cheer they prefer TO nav
Iotb IInion and Rebel flags before then
ITbair LOYALTY is of the sort which dehghts
honor the defunct Confederacy. To remeo
4bis state of things, Messrs. Eliot and Shell
haroer propose that the present civil COVER
ment of Louisiana be suspended by act OF 20
Dress. and that provisional government
established and maintained by militia
.,, ,,o,,d;,,o the contamination of meaSuI