New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-08-15
A Sensible View.

The Vicksburg Times contains some very
sensible suggestions and views upon our
recent party troubles:
A State Convention had been called for
the sole purpose of electing State Central
Committee. The place of meeting was to
be in the United States Customhouse, and
the time 12 M. ON Wednesday. The Dunn
faction included q majority of the old CEN
tral committee, and all the United States
officials in the CustOmhouse, Postotfice, etc.,
and thus had full control of all the prelimi-
nary arrangements, and seem to have made
the most of their opportunity. They kept
the place OF meeting secret as long as pos
sible, and at the last moment designated
the Customhouse,. an unusual and inap-
pIopriate place for State Convention,
to say the least. Some time before the
hour appointed for the opening of the
convention, Governor Warmoth, with
about ninety other delegates proceeded to
the building, where they found the doors
closed and guarded by about fifty deputy
marshals, with badges and arms. In the rO-
tunda were two companies of United States
troops, also under arms. The Governor de-
manded admission for himself and other
delegates having tickets emitting them to
seats. The demand was refused. The Dunn
party was at the time holding caucus in
the courtroom, and could not be disturbed
Afterward, however, the Governor was in
formed that he would be admitted, but that
his associates must wait until the clock
struck twelve. He replied that he would
not go into the hall unless the balance of
the delegates were admitted, and, retiring
from the door, the Governor mounted a
chair and commenced an address.
At this point, Captain Smith, in command
of the military, laying his hands upon the
Governor, told him he would not be allowed
to proceed.
The Governor, yielding gracefully to the
mandate of military power. proposed to
the delegates present that they should
adjourn to Turner Hall and hold their con-
Fention there. 1t is reported that the
crowd from within, composed principally
of deputy marshals, tried to push the Gov
ernor, who is crippled, down the steep and
dangerous stairs leading from the main
entrance, and that one, wearing marshals
badge, presented pistol at his breast.
At the Customhouse the Dunn faction,
of course, had everything their own way,
and under their guard of Gatlin guns, fired
of resolutions at their opponents with i'm
punity. Governor Warmoth made speech
denouncing the employment of the military,
and stating that if it was done by the au-
thority of President Grant, which he did
not believe, Grant would be repudiated;
and other prominent speakers followed in
the same strain.
There seems to be no difference between
the two wings of the party upon any ques-
ton of principle. 1t is only personal fight,
in which Republicans outside the State can
take but little interest. We want, however,
to see fair play, and can not restrain GER
tain feeling of indignation at the sight of
United States officials taking advantage of
their positions TO try to control State poll
ner it was attempted in New Orleans We
can not learn that there was any excuse for
the call upon United States troops to guard
a Republican convention. We have heard
of no threats OF violence, no intimation that
the local civil authorities were not able and
willing to preserve order. The whole move
ment, to distant observer, looks like a
highhanded outrage on the part of a. set
of unscrupulOus men. Why was the con.
vention advertised to be held in a United
States customhousef Why were those SOL
diers therei Why was the Governor of
the State refused admission, denied the
freedom of speech, treated with contempt
and hustled away by fellows wearing the
things need explanation. The Republican
party will not, nor will any other party, in
dorse any interference, even the slightest,
with personal freedom. We have no idea
that President Grant is responsible for the
use of the military, as it seems to have
been used in New Orleans ON Wednesday.
Doubtless the Marshal was authorized to
employ all the force necessary to suppress
any riot that might occur, but in going
further than that he has exceeded his juris-
diction.