Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-08-24
A REPLY To MARSHAL PACKARD
FROM THE LoCisIANA MEMBER OF THE
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE.
To he Eli.or u TIE Tr.LaA:.

To The Edisor u Tie TriLeA:
Sir: have JUS; arrived from Lonisi
ana, and am somewhat surprised and
grievei by card published in yes'rr-
days Tribune, containing many e,ro-
neous statements, and signed by my
personal friend, United States Marshal
8. B, Packard. In some important
particulars Mr.. Packard's card differs
from his statements made IN New Or
leans. He repeatedly stated, in an
swer to protests and remonstranres,
that he had the ''highest authority"
for what he was doing. But, with the
statement that We will not at present
believe, in Louisiana, that President
Grant sanctioned these high-handed
proceedings, I will leave these discre-
pancies to be explained and settled by
the highest authority and especially
Interested parties. -
The sole duty Of the Republican
State Convention which assembled in
New Orleans on tho 9th instant, WAS
the election Of new State Executive
Committee, the time. Of service OF the
old Committee having nearly expired.
Certain prominent Federal officials,
controlling a majority Of the old Com
mittee, had become unpopular With
the masses of the party by claiming
and exercising authority not legiti-
r,ately belonging to them or the State
Committee; and as it was understood
that they, combined with other Federal
officials, purposed controlling the Con-
vention in their own personal interests,
the canvass throughout the State was
exceedingly spirited !and nearly every
district WAS fully represented; and it is
unquestionable that more than four
fifths of the fairly chosen delegates to
the Convention were opposed-not to
President Grant--but to the reelection
of these gentlemen, or their friends,
to the State Executive Committee.
In this emergency a majority
of the State Committee; i. g., the
Federal officials ON the Commit
tee, adopted a course 40 minus
tifiable and extraordinary that it Is
explainable only by the suppositior
that they believe to be true the report
current in New Orleans, that theil
tenure of'6hAce depends on their con
troll of the Republican party organlza-
ton of the State.
Messrs. Packard and Casey and then
friends grossly insult the Republicans
of Louisiana when they say thnt a
properly convened Republican Con
yention in New Orleans would be
otherwise than fair, and just, and or
DERBY; and they become ridiculous
when they state that Deputy United
States Marshals and United States
troops we're necessary toprotet United
States property from a Republican
Convention. They were assured or
the 9Th init, by Committee duly
authorized by more than % delegates
who were opposed 10 their reelection
fl1s WINS the whole number .consti
tutine the Conventionl. that il the
would admit all duly elected delegate
before the primary organization, am
would themselves abide by the decision
/ of the Convention, there would be NJ
trouble or boiling, and NO danger Of {
split in the party. I also, as the mem
Der Of the National Committee from
Louisiana, and in behalf Of man,
prominent delegates and Republicans
urged them to select some prope'
place iee the messing destks C0Ryen
! ton, and gave thsn ~ - Informs
tien ~ assurances. aasca
But the whole matter, 80 far Is Mr.
Packard and his immediate supporter
! are concerned, is too plain to meek
explanation. Every well-infcined ma
Of ordinary intelligence IN Loui.iaa'
we'll knows thst the sole object Of IN.
bmaiority Of the State Committee II
!convon;no tho Convention in the Gus