The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-07-18
lUonmanioassd.f
THE FOURTH JxNuARY, 1876.
Extract from the Dlary Of "a r>ri.lator. |,


Who that was prcsentin the cha tnbe
Of Representation on the lth of Janu
!. s1y.,.sn s51y. is.s cen ever lorgst tie scene h
'~'e The State had lust passed through al
exciting political canvass, which wal
almost - much vf Hsrevolution as a.
election. The Democrats and Conser
xattxes had carried the election fairly a
tne p0lt1s the fruits OF which were i
large majority OF the members OF ths
lower house.. The Radicals, through q
Q sMwls:s and lnfnmons Returning Board
sustained by the Federal army and
navy, had declared majority of Radi.
Gals elected. The feeling lhsough the
state was bitter, intense an4 threAten-
Ing. Monitors, IN the fullspanoply oi
war, were anchored oppo1)ge the clty.
ready 70 open fire Ut the first
signal. Every avenue to the capitol
Was guarded BY troops "a battle array,
the neighboring squares were trans
formed Into parks OF artillery, while
so..a sas.draus fhrouoh q esSvslsy F0ds serted
preparation made; the Federal Admin.
istrHtion, In the. person of the next
highest officer IN the army. was ready
and anxious to slaughter the citizensof
Louisimun md rei6l3 y go aStorsuf New
Orleane npon the hrst display of force
by the Democrats and Conservatives to
inauglrate the Legislature they had
elected. Nggs TItffg ls
Within the State House the scene was
even more thrilling. Strong barricades
were erected in every vestibule, behind
which Marshal Packard and Kellogg
nad posted bands Of murderers and
thugs, armed to tho teeth. aud the gal.
!eries and windows Of the Chamber OF
Representatives were tllled with a hide
Gus mob OF Ignorant and brutal negroes.
omanousiy exultant ut the overwhelm.
Ing force they saw arrayed against the
The members really elected. under the
leadership vf LA. Wilt, repaired to |
the capitol, witnessing and realizing on |
Lie way, the stupendous outrage such |
ucmQnstrAtions constituted. Our leader
,,s. ,elt y wy did. that the eyes Of our
reprNentsd the rights and LIN interests ss ~s ot
l,ouisiane and that our actions were
awaited wish anxious and expectant
hearts. Not often In the history OF the
struggle OF right against tyranny has
stch = a1peotAcle been presented to such
IN audience. Not often have n body az
held In their hands so high,
20 molly and 50 perilous trust. But
here was no faitering there. II
A member moved that l.. A. Wiltz be
elected Speaker, putt to a vote and amid
he ciamor that succeeded, In the pres
noe OF shotted guns, and In the face OF !.
he hostile hundreds OF bowling and
nfuriated men, that packed the lobbies.
Viltz sprang to the Speakers stand, !
eized the gavel and with the rapidty I
no nrmness OF a general leading .. I
esperate charge. effected, in the face of /
ne trained leaders of the opposition. i
lrrounded by the army ana the armed
lob OF the city, the organization OF the
Louse elected by the people. All that .
uman courage could do, all that human !,
isdom could do, all that human I,
nergy, sagacity and nerve could do to =
I've force and effect to the will Of the =
eople, as declared at the ballot box, -
as done through L., A. Wiltz. Few men i
,uld have met the desperate issue, as =
Q did, with the same dauntless cour- =
&c. the same judgment, the same n
How his splendid work and that of his . =
,lleagues ives thwarted, 1t is needless =,
ere to tell but every man who was n
resent on that occasion will bear testi- =, -
ony thnt K Mr.. Wiltx acas finally de- y
ated hythe army, he came out with i
way 70 their Quarters covered with :.
larne and followed by the derisive h
louts OF the whole people. To wrest =,
2no{ from defeat, and leave to ones q
nq0eror only . spoil Of infamy, il q .,
Iumph Of which the abIest and most 3, 3,
iroit politician might bc proud. - -
y - sAss 81
The skpectant patriots who were walt
8 for Boss Packard yesterday at CT
ashineton, according to our core to
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