The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-08-08
LOCAL POLITICS.
The Seymour legion.

give yet one more proof that they are
thoroughly in earnest in the championship OF
the cause of freedom and constitutional
right, the scene at the Opera House last night
would amply demonstrate that we have entered
into the contest with our whole hearts and
souls, and that if victory be possible we shall
win the fight.
The occasion of the gathering last night
was, as is well known, the formal installation
of the president Of the gallant organization
whose name heads this article, and the pre-
sentation to the club of campaign banner
made by the fair hands of the ladies of our
city. 1t was one on which might reasonably
have been expected, from the character of the
club and the number and influence OF its
friends, the assembling of large concourse
to witness the ceremonies and to listen to the
speeches. But even when to these reasons
for good attendance is added the fact that
the ladies of New Orleans, being interested in
the club, had etermined to honor them with
their presence, we have not yet given the real
cause for the mastering of the multitudes
which last night filed every nook and Granny
of the spacious Opera House; and, for solu-
ton, we are compelled to look to that rapidly
increasing love of freedom and hatred of
tyranny; that desire to do what we in the
Ce-.l go - -f Lsil IL. L-->1s &c SIc~tlA
ern brethren who, with us, are fighting the
battles of liberty, and to that strong convic-
ton which now bids every man in our land to
sustain, by every means in his power, that
only palladium of political right-the Demo-
cratic party.
When the hour for the commencement of
the ceremonies arrived, the Opera House
presented a scene such as has never before
been witnessed in it. The dress circle was re-
splendent with the beauty and fashion of our
town the galleries, and Hobbies, and even the
halls were crowded almost 10 suffocation with
gentlemen in the parquette, the indomitable
Constitution club, each man with his trans
parency in his hand, mustered over 200 strong,
and being shortly afterwards reinforced by
the entrance of the Crescent City club, made
themselves a fine display on the stage the
Legion, with their officers in front, and fanked
on either side by their own flags and those of
the Constitution Climb. 1t was a sight to make
a mans heart beat quick and his blood course
fast through his veins.
After Hail Columbia by a fine band, Mr.. II.
Renshaw, Jr., the vice-presidento of the Legion
for the First District, who has for some time
past presided over the club, introduced with
a few appropriate remarks to the vast audience
Hon. B. F. Jonas, the gentleman honored by
the club as their choice for their leader. OF
the speech made by Mr.. Jonas, on taking the
chair, our limited space forbids even a synop-
comprehensive, clear account of the proceed
ings of the Louisiana delegation at the National
Nominating Convention, a 1inely-worded
statement of how the nominations were finally
made, glowing eulogy on our candidates,
brief summary of the issues now before the
people, and an earnest prophecy of our victory
in November next. The orator was frequently
interrupted by loud bursts of applause, and
when he, for the first time, mentioned the
name of Horatio Seymour, there arose cheer
so hearty, so loud, so thrilling, that the build
ing easmad fairly to tremble with the reverbe-
rations. The names of Blair and Pendleton
were also greeted with the widest enthusi-
asm.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Jonass address
Capt. G. E. Fenner, in behalf of the ladies of
New Orleans presented to the Legion one of
the handsomest banners we have ever seen.
1t is of silk, one side red, on which is in
scribed Seymour Legion 1868, and on the
other, which is white, "Peace and Pros
perity." To Mr. E. W. Grant was assigned
the very pleasing duty of receiving the ban
ner on the part of the club, and highly did
he seem to appreciate the honor. After his
speech a member of the Legion stepped for
ward and received the banner, but no sooner
had be grasped it than he was beckoned to
one Of the stage boxes, from which two ladies,
well known in the city, leaned and hung upon
the standard a superb bow of snow-white
ribbon with long gilt-embroidered streamers,
and two exquisite wreaths, one of red and
white, and the other of green and white.
And then, amid strains of music and the
wild cheers of the audience, the bearer
moved the banner repeatedly to and fro,
and as the crowd read its two in
scIiptions and thought of how peace and
prosperity can but be restored to our coun-
try by the supremacy of those princi-
Piles in the support of which, has been organ
lied " The Seymour Legion, the cheers grew
louder and louder the enthusiasm higher AMI
higher, each lull proving, but the prelude to
| a yet more glorious outburst, until the gen.
erous earnestness in the best of causes was
quelled only by the appearance of the gentle
man announced to make an address, the Hon.
W. NJ. Randolph. Ills useless for us to at.
tempt to follow this gentleman in the very
able speech with which he enthralled the au-
dience. We could but give fragments, and
will not initiate the address.
Mr.. Randolph's speech over, the Legion
was declared adjourned, and pouring from
out the Opera House it and the other clubs
present formed in procession, and with
torches and transparencies, many and tasty,
/ i -. Al.