New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-07-02
THE SITUATION,

Have we passed the crisis? In the last
previous edition of the REPUBLICAN we as
sured our readers that such was the case;
but the scenes and even:s of yesterday for
time rather unsettled that conviction.
A pail seemed to hang over the city from
early morning. The tone of the city
press-anxious in some cases, threatening
in others-doubtless gave rise in great
measure to this state of dread spprehen-
sion. The Times earnestly and empbatically
cried "Let US have peace" and warned its
readers against lawless outbreaks. To the
Democratic members of the Legislature it
appealed as follows: "They (the Demo-
crats) can not be Ignorant of the terrible
consequences which would follow an out
break, and they should warn the young
aud giddy of their constituents to abstain
from even the appearance of lawlessness y
In another place it reasons not apparently
from regard to what is right, but as the
most polite course which its constituents
can pursue, that "to proue ldtoleSS noao
would be to aid our enemies and clog the
movements of our friends"
The Crescent speaking Of the legally
elected Republican majority in the General
Assembly, says:
1t will be for them ddyof terror and bit
te1neSS and despair when the military inter.
ference of the central government against
which they are so ready to protest when it
disturbs their selfish schemes is permanent
ly withdrawn and they can no longer play
fantastic tricks in the hollow of its extended
hand.
The Bulletin, usually moderate and quiet
in its tone, violently distorts the truth in
putting the following significant query
But if the military is withdrawn and the
Radicals prosecute this policy of violence
and vengeance it may be a very grave an
swer that the historian may give to the
question, What next?
With the morning horizon thus clouded on
all sides with the elements Of strife, is it at
all surprising that even the most cautiously
observant thought they discerned the pres
age of violent storm? Prominent jewelry
establishments on Canal street, as if fore
warned, removed their valuables from show
windows to places of greater safety, and
the renowned promenade of fashion and
beauty in the Crescent City was almost en-
tirely deserted by the gentler sex, But to
supply their places was a congregation as
unusual as it was threatening. Surly-
browed desperate men, in hundreds, appa-
rently recognizing and associating by some
mysterious tie of brotherhood with thugs
and murderers, whose crimes will give them
undyiDg notoriety in New Orleans, crowd
ed the grand avenue from Clay statue to
above the site Of the State House. Men
whose business claimed their attention in
distant parts Of the city remained persist
emily in the company of others whose
time of profit comes when public
turmoil is in the ascendant. Armed
soldiery, backed by a strong force of po-
lice, endeavored, time and again, to dis
perse this ominous gathering, but with as
little success as though the attempt had
been to prevent water finding its level.
With sOlemnity commensurate to the
event, we declare that an all.wise and mer-
,iful Providence aYerted the collision
which we firmly believe was yesterday in
ended to be brought about by number
perhaps an assoeiation) of reckless and
desperate men, in whom the worst passions
IF the rebellion still seethe and foment.