New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-12

Orleans Merchant Raised a Warning
Voice.
Among the earnest opponents of secession
in 1850, in this city, was an old merchant,
who had been thirty years resident and
identified with the commercial interests of
the city, who had early married into an old
Creole family, and whose sons were grow
ing up to a useful manhood, educated in the
public schools OF the city. His name was
Thomas J. Spear He expressed his senti-
nents with freedom, and his pen was
brought into frequent requisition, that the
public might know his views on the wicked
ness and inexpediency of secession.
The Tiate Delta, Their published by John
Maginnis, was the only paper that would
publish bis communications, but in the COL
umns Of that independent journal they ap
peared frequently. His views did not seem
to be regarded, so intense was the political
power that then afflicted the community.
The election had been held for delegates
to the State convention when he prepared
the following. Its publication was refused.
He then caused it to be printed as q crcu-
city. This publication brought down upon
his head the indignation Of the hot-bloods
of disuniou, and Mr.. Spear was promptly
waited upon by a committee who in
structed him to leave :own within
very few hours. coupling threats Of lynch
ing with the order, in case Of non obedience.
The spokesman of one of these delegations
Is remembered as an unnaturahzed French
man, whose suggcstions-Mr. Spear being
ITO the manor bOrn'-were received with
much Indignation by the spirited old mer-
chant. Finally, the report was circulated by
some of Mr.. Spears friends. in order to pro.
tect him from insult, that he was half crazy
on the subject of unionism, and not respon-
sble for what be did. With an admonition,
therefore, to publish no more of his 'incen.
diary stuff" the indignant committees
agreed to let Mr.. Spear alone.
Mr.. Spear is still living among US, though
very far advanced in years. He is to be
seen on the streets almost any pleasant
day. The war left him poor man, as it
did hundreds of others once in comfortable
circumstances. He is a living witness of
the truth of his own predictions. We pub
lish below the circular which came so near
costing him his life twelve years age:
The election last Monday terminated in
the success Of the separate secession can.
didates in this city to the State convention,
to be held at Baton Rouge on the twenty.
third of this month, who pledged them.
selves in the event of being elected, TO vote
for immediate secession.
npla Df
gaps of the party, thinks this last election
most gratifying to all true disunionists,
sending, as it says, "a thrill of JOY through.
gu. the South l doubt if it speaks its true
sentiments. for these reasons: During the
canvass of the presidential election that
i0urr al declared to the world its unequivo-
cal attachment and adherence to the Union,
| and nothing but the whole Union. its con.
stitution and laws as they existed a. that
! time.
! The result of Mondays transactions is a
| glorious enc. for the co-Opera:iOnists now
| evince to the people that Louisiana pur.
| poses TO stand by the Union and that beau.
| titui emblem of liberty, the star Fpangled
| banner, just so long as there remains d drop
! of blood in the veins OF all true Americans
| in the State.
! The Crescent might perhaps inquire why
it is alleged that they are true cooperation.
! lists. Simply from the FACT that the seces.
sion party. consistin. almost wholly, as j:
is claimed. Of men in high standing, and
! who before the presidential election were
uncompromising Union men, after having
! exerted its whole strength only secured
| 1909 votes. 1t is unguestiOnably true that
| out of q population OF 10000 there were
| polled only the above number OF secession
! votes. the balance OF the people being for
| Union. whether they voted or not. Now,
| is there. any reasonable man to whom it
| does no. appear obvious that the in.
| signifcan: vote that has been polled
! by the secessionists is not indica.
| tive OF the sentiments Of the people
Of this large city who are about 30
be cas-. into the yawning gull of misery and
! bankruptcy should the pledges of the seced.
| ing delegates be carried out. My hope and
| belief is. that the delegates to this conven.
! ton who have pledged themselves to vote
! for immediate secession will reflect seriously
! on the fearful consequences which their acts
! will or may produce. before casting their
| iina! vote, which may plunge fhei" Stat
F! md nati"n mo ..,e c!ea test evil war the
| world Aa. ever known. Suggestions .honld
| TO: De uuheedec Ivy secessioIists in this
| .earIpl crisis. Le! as look .: the fearful
picture and dark future before Us. In the
event OF civil war, which is now almost
| inevitable, the Northern States can muster
! into service more than l,J00.U00 militia,
| while the Southern States can only show q
! front of abou: 100000 in all. ! would ask
any reasonable people of the Southern
States what earthly chance they would have
| in subduing SO formidable an army. Is it
possible the Southern people do not perceive
| this.
! The Northern fanatics are paying no at.
| tension to the Southern States voting them.
! selves out o: the Union. On the contrary,
they TO not care how many States secede.
The more the better. Cor all this strengthens
| their purpose of holding on to the old United
| States government and all the federal prop.
erty. 1t certainly should require serious
| consideration on the part of Louisiana be.
| fore yielding up all her just rights, which
she is so much entitled to, before she makes
the fearful leap-before she plunges into
| the yawning gulf, on the brink OF which
| she now trembles.
The South. if this State secedes. will soon
be in the deplorable Condition Of South
| Carolina. Reader, you may think me
novice. but my undying love for my coun.
try and a desire to keep alive the same love
in others. ia the sole motive that actuates
me in publishing these lines. fou will
| rue the day tina! Louisiana secedes from
the Union
Remember the cd adage. "A penny wise
| and pound foolish
THOMAS J. SPEAR.
View Orleans. January 10. 1861.
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; :.eteoroiogical and River Report.