The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-03
A RETROSPECT.
Hasty Glance 1T Field and Campbell,

Editor New Orleans Bulletin:
Certain prominent Radical Ofhce-holder
are anxious to create the impression upon tn
Northern mind, that the Conservative popula
ton of Louisiana have no regard for human
life +; that they are hostile to the Government
of the United States, and inimical to the col
ored race. These are serious charges, ant
should not obtain credence unless upon posi-
tive, or, at least, reasonable proof VIVA
may have TRANSFERRED between the years 1856
and 1865 is matter of history. The Con
federate armies surrendered and were paroled
they accepted in good faith the terms of The
surrender and became peaceable and law
abiding citizens of the United States Gov
eminent.
It is charged that in the city of New Or.
leans, in 1866, the hostile intent of our peo-
pie was manifested by killing certain parties
at Mechanics Institute.
! There are two sides to every question, and,
if the facts Of that riot are calmly and fairly
investigated, it will be found that the blame
Of that lamentable affair does not rest on one
side alone.
pretended Constitutional Convention
had, without any legal right assembled for
the purpose of overthrowing a Government
duly accepted by the people. Their labors
had long since closed; the Constitution of
1864 had by them been adopted and SUBJ
mitted for ratification to the people. The
action of the Convention had in due form
been ratified by the people of Louisiana, and
the authority of said Constitutional Conven-
| ton was at an end
The reassembling Of the Convention for
legislative purposes was revolutionary in its
character and met with the stern opposition
of the people. The police of the city were
called out to dispense the revolutionary body.
fn lIch in bo wait
ment which prevailed, shots were fired by
parties within the building upon the police
without. The ARRAY once begun, was, for a
short time, beyond the control Of prudent
men, and human life was sacrificed. Risks
We're assumed by both parties to the conflict,
and as soon as the revolutionary body was
dispersed, the angry crowd retired and quiet
again prevailed Desperate men assembled
to overthrow a government which they them
selves had originated; their arbitrary and I'M
lawful action had aroused the storm, and for
the fearful consequences which ensued they
are IN large measure anSwerable.
The riot was not general one, being con-
fined to the immediate locality; no man,
black or white, not participant in or pro-
moter Of the revolutionary enterprise, was
harmed
Such scenes have occurred in the history
of other cities, and while they cause regret,
they should not be made the occasion by
which partisan malevolence shall be expend-
ed upon an entire population, few OF whom
were in any manner participants in the con-
flict If the conflict in Grant parish is made |
the subject of impartial investigation it will be
found that the collision was precipitated by
forces of black men, melted by un-
and degraded white men intent on
their own selfish purposes; that military
Orryo mi u hod mo uyYfh mill ory
that the strife had been pro-
voked by the blacks shedding the first blood,
and that too, of one bearing flag of truce.
The sequel of the conflict may have been
but what was enacted was accom-
plished in the heat of passion. If success
had been upon the other side; if the igno-
rant and Infatuated negroes, stimulated by
the vile teachings OF Ward, Devices and
others, had been victorious in the conflict
think you no scenes of horror would have
ensued? Would their excuses have been
confined to the mere actors in the strife?
Those who would criticse us harshly must
that for years our people have been
DISTINGUISHED. Prior to 1868, while
under military rule, the iron-clad oath gave
o corrupt strangers the legislation of the
south. Gen. Hancock sought to ameliorate
our condition and make civil authority para
mount to military rule; but harsh counsels
hwarted his plans and made us the victims
# Gen. Movers hate Though the white
element of Louisiana represent ninety per
cent of the personally and realty of the State
men without property, without character, and
without intelligence, frame and adopt the
egislation by which the State is controlled
f. by fair expression of the popular will, we
,lect our officials, a Returning Board, cor
uptly organized, under the pretended forms
If law, defeats the popular will
Governor Kellogg denounces as corrupt the
administration of his predecessor and yet he
las surrounded himself with the very men
hat made the Warmoth government infa-
nous Twas surprised to witness the extra
ordinary effort Of Colonel Field and General
campbell to prove the murderous character
# our people Is the former prompted by
elf-lnterest In the course he is now pursu-
ngp Would he have the name of Louisiana
'ecome by-word and reproach, that thereby
rs tenure OF office can be perpetuated? He,
man Of violence; the advocate of polit-
cal prescription and personal thug I
cry in years gone by and yet he
resumes to hurl his ISLANDERS against our en-
Ire people. The counsellor of the murderers
i Lawes and Schomburg, slain without pro-
ocatlon ana While upon peaceful mission, |
Ie, by change OF venue, and before parti-
an jury, secured their acquittal and by g
PARTISAN Legislature, as I am informed, was '
ewarded for his political services, yet with s
he murderers OF these men at large BY his '
he would brand men of the a
ighest responsibility, as leagued together for
be encouragement of crime. There, too, is
rem. Campbell who during the very period +
4 which he is seeking information to prove +
s vindctive and bloody minded people, G
as member of the "Fusion" Senate. 6
DESERVING the Kellogg government. he de-
ounced it as usurpatory and corrupt, and I
'r thirty days openly advocated measures I
snding to violence and blood. Day after day
e proclaimed his disgust for an attempted
eaceable arbitration Of the then pending G
ificulty. 9
Kellogg, he alleged, was an usurper, aad it
ecame the McEnery government to force a
,llision. He urged the appointment of an G
gained police force, whose duty it should G
Z ~