New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-09
Correspondence of the Republican,
THE CUSTOMHOUSE RING FOILED.

HoUMA, Terrebonne, September g. 1871.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN:
Yesterday was a gala day for the true
Republicans of our peaceful parish. The
cause was grand mass meeting called in
the interest of the New Orleans Custom
house clique by Senator O'Hara, who, on
Wednesday last caused to be posted
throughout the parish several posters Zone
of which l send you), calling grand mass
meeting. and stating that the Hons. o. j.
Ingraham, w. P. Kellogg, John S. Harris
and P. O'Hara would address the meeting.
In accordance with this call, yesterday
there was a vast number of Republicans
present at the meeting, which was to take
place at , P NJ, on the arrival of Packard
and Company, who had reached Terrebonne
Station at II A. NJ, by special train from
New Orleans, where they found three stages
awaiting to convey them to Houma, dis
tance o. thirteen miles. When the distin-
guished gentlemen arrived at Houma, they
were met by some of the best Republicans
in the State who reside in this parish. The
right hand of fellowship was extended to
them, with the admonition that they must
not come to the parish of Terrebonne to
breed dissensions in the Republican ranks"
At about three o'clock the meeting was
called to order by Mr.. O'Hara, when
man by the name Of Arnold was proposed
as the president of the meeting This the
Republicans did not like, inasmuch as we
had hundreds Of Republican citizens who
could fill that office with credit and
ability.
Loud calls were then made for j. L.
Belden, our late delegate to the State con-
ventiOn, and now member of our State
Central Executive Committee. He was
then unanimously elected president of the
meeting.
This in itself was triumph for the Re
pubhcans of Terrebonne which Messrs.
Packard & Co. were not prepared to meet.
The proceedings then commenced by the
intrOduc ton TO the audience of Lieutenant
Governor Dunn, who made few remarks.
counseling the colored people to send their
children to school, to remain united. and
above all, not allow their leaders in the
party TO breed dissensions in their ranks.
One remark he made caused the Re
publicans TO inwardly say, Il hope and
trust it IS so, but have my serious doubts"
The remark was this: Il belong 70 no
Customhouse ring, nor any other The
Lieutenant Governor evidently was taken
aback on his arrival to see such a unani-
nous people in favor of the national and
State administrations, that he could not
make speeches such as he had been doing
throughout the city of New Orleans.
Senator j. II. Ingraham then came for
ward, and stated that on his arrival in
town, and seeing such an intense feeling in
favor OF the State administration, he had
made up his mind not to speak, but having
been assured by the president of the meet
ing, Mr.. j. L. Belden and by Messrs. Fran,
els, Drayton and others, that free speech
would be tolerated in Terrebonne, that he
could say what he chose, as no person
would hiss or interfere with the speakers,
declared that he would avail himself of this
opportunity, and in the course of his re-
marks would cut and slash in all directions;
that he would not only cut to the bone, but
through the marrow. This he did, to a GER
tain extent: that is, if his vituperative
speech and abuse of Governor Warmoth
could he taken for such.
United States Marshal Packard then
made a few remarks, all of which were in
vindication Of himself for his action in
placing United States troops in the Custom
house on the day of the late State Conven-
ton.
Mr.. 'Hara then attempted 20 introduce
a set of resolutions, sustaining the State
Central Executive Committee, of which s.
B. Packard is president. This was voted
down, SO that they did not succeed in pass
ing single resolution.
On seeing this, the whole of the Custom
house party left the stand and departed for
New Orleans, having come a distance of
miles, twelve OF which was by
stage, TO suffer defeat.
AS they were leaving the upper limits of
the town, we are informed that they stopped
for few moments, directed the Custom
mouse Dand TO play time, collected few
idle persons around them, and read the
which they then and there de-
clared adopted
The'whole party who came with Governor
Dunn, Messrs. Packard and Ingraham, in
Guiding the band, consisted of about thirty
persons. all Of whom arrived at half-past
two and left at half-past four P II.
Many of the party, including Mr.. O'Hara,
that it was no use to think of
Terrebonne any more, as it was decidedly
for Governor WarmOth and his admins
tration.
This is is true and correct report of the
meeting, the Banner report to the contrary
n0twiths standing.
NITOR IN ADVERSUM.