New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-07
THE PRESIDENT AND THE LOUISIANA
DELEGATION.

since the interview between President
Grant and the Louisiana delegation is of
a truly cheering character. The commit
tee were received pleasantly by the Presi-
| dent, and their statement was listened to
with deep interest This is exactly what
was due to the high mission of the COM
mittee, and what we expected from Presi-
dent Grants proyerbial character for JUS
tee. The report relating to the gist of
the matter in hand is remarkably inter-
esting, and the language Of the President
in reply to the delegation is very signif-
cant. We quote:
He remarked that the address presented
formidable array of charges against the
federal officers named therein. He said he
had not authorized the use of troops. and
that General Reynolds, when he filled the
requisition of Marshal Packard, did not
know they were to be used at political
convention.
Herein is pointed recognition of the
gravity of the charges which it will not
be difficult to prove against Messrs. Pack
ard, Casey and company. And it further
more leaves Mr.. Packard's declaration,
that he was acting under 'the very highest
authority" with nothing to stand upon.
His demand, as Marshal, for troops was
made upon his own suggestion, which
can not, in any sense, be deemed a respon-
sible authority. The assent of General
Reynolds, obtained with misapprehen-
sion. of the purpose for which the troops
were wanted, is even less of an authority.
For we are satisfied that the logical infer
ence of the Presidents remark is quite
correct: That is, if General Reynolds had
known they were to be used at a political
convention, he would have refused to Or
der the troops to be used. At any rate,
he would have referred the matter to the
War Department for specific instructions
before taking step of such grave respon-
sibility
So that it clearly appears that General
Reynolds was deceived by the conceal
ment of the marshal's motive, and a sys-
tematic attempt has since been made to |
deceive the President himself And these |
gentlemen are now about to hear from the |
President upon the subject of their mis-
conduct. He has virtually accepted the |
charges preferred against them by the
delegation to be tj'r0 facia true, and will
call upon his faithless subordipates to ex-
plain them away they can. When they can
prove that there were no troops sent to the
Customhouse at all, with orders to report
for duty to one of the leaders of a political
faction, who took advantage of his official
position to gain a political advantage,
Or if it can be made to appear
that al the alleged delegates to
The convention Were treated exactly
alike, and the adherents of the one
side as well as of the other were refused
admission to the courtroom and the adj
Joining room which was used for caucus
Mr.. Packard may then set up that he acted
to his best discretion as mar
shall and not as biased leader of fac
ion. He will even then be deemed guilty
IF want of judgment such as inca
oacitates him for high and responsible
position. This proof if possible to be
would relieve him of the i'm
outation of malicious mischief under
which he now rests, and merely show him
20 be fatally incompetent. And all the
ederal officers who were here at the time
lided and abetted Packard by their ad-
ice and persistent urging; those who
we're not here in person, like Pitkin, have
lnce become accessories: so that they are
ii in the same boat.
And the President Indignantly repudi-
ties the whole set and their acts. We
cit confident this would be his decision
IS soon as he was put in possession of
he facts. And now that he has con-
the acts complained of, we say
lurrah for President Grant And when
le has given the offenders their congo we
hall hurrah for him all the more louder
nd more heartily, and the voices of the
lightly thousand Republican voters Of
louisiana will be heard from Caddo par
5h to Pearl river, swelling the responsive
men. And they will remember it, too, b
n November, 1872, when Grant himself
I'LL come before the people for their YER
let.
MR.. WALSHS TESTIMONY.