Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-08-13
THE STATE CONVENTION

One of the best represented aud
most harmonious State Conventions
hat ever met in the interests OF the
Republican party in this State, as
;embled at the Turner'S HaI IN this
City on the 9Th inst. -
Senator P. B. s. Pinchback was
elected President of the Convention,
and in a characteristic speech gave
the delegates of the people welcome to
an arena of freedom of action, OF
speech, and Of choice for those they
might desire to represent them on
the State Central Committee for the
ensuing year.
There were many peculiar and
striking features presented by this
Convention. Out of the % delega-
tons whose seats were not contest
ed, twenty-four were present, only
one repainining with the us''rpers
at the. Custom House, VI those
whose-seats would have been con-
tested through Packard's peculiar
machinery had they been admitted
TO the Custom House more than
three fourths were elected at the
polls by the people, while more than
half of those who acted with the
usurpers We're appointed by parish
committees at the dictation OF Pack
ard. Again, comparison as to the
wealth, intelligence and respectable
ity and numbers of those compo-
sing the two assemblages, gives the
Turner's Hall Convention a great
general preponderance, and the col
ored members a special excellence
| in al these respects.
These combined evidences OF a
sound, original, hearty, vigorous and
united Republican party under the
lead of the State administration
need no amplifcations to give them
their Just influences and proper pow
in brining conviction to every tnind
that the Republican party will tn
umph again in 1872.
The Usurpers assembiage al
iourned SINE die before 1 o'clock OF
the same day of its meeting, be
cause it was understood that man,
colored men would have refused t.
return to IL court room, where, i
| he had have differed with Packard
he Packard would have the pow
er of ordering the colored man I'm
der arrest; and although he ma.
have come from the largest parisl
in the State, there would have beel
no power outside of Packard o
a United States Judge to releas
, him. From expressions we hav
heard since from men who wer
thus locked up in the Customhous
threatened with the convicting an
converting power of United State
, bayonets, we Judge it Wilde a lon
time before any of our people @
: least trust themselves into the dar
corridors and the gloomy chamber
of the Customhollse Conclave.
In strong and suggestive contra'
= to these surroundings the Stat
, Convention met at the Turner
Hall without policemen or guar
f ofany kind; continued their session
: for two days: allowed free discus
sion, and under the old sound part
usaees, allowed each parish
choose its delegate for the Coz
gressional district which was
v he represented on the State Centr
It Committee.
y All along, through these harmon
s, Gus scenes, were seen tokens of Il
n publican unity and vitality, refres
L ing to the last degree. Not on
was every vote taken nnanimousl
4 but every action received the co
Of current applause of at least tv
r. Thousand spectators who kept Il
1t Hobbies, and even the great audien
= room full to repletion, from d
hour of assembling to the nome
of adjournment.
As business would lull now al
then to give committees time to
t. port, there We're added to all the
D. features of harmony, vitality, Wig
of and unanimity, another still mo
" brilliant feature Of occasion
y counsel from the rostrum.
n First the ringing tones and t
t. terse sentences of Governor Wa
IA moth awakened, or rather guide
the enthusiasm of the vast throl
IL before him. His truthful, logic
al and chaste oratory added new La