The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-27

violence by the presence OF the troopers OF
Sheridan and Grant.
The scene that presented itself in the House
was well calculated to daunt the bravest
heart. The Speakers room was filled with
armed Metropolitans, the lobby with the
most desperate hired negroes and white bull
lies In the whole city, while armed bodies OF
soldiers tramped through the corridors, and
the ominons sounds OF marching troops with
out we're plainly heard.
After the roll was called by the old clerk, a
member nominated Hon. Il. A. Wiltz as
Speaker pro tenn. He was declared elected
and at once took his seat In spite Of Vigers's
remOnstrance and amid much excitement Ia
the lobby, which, however, he soon quelled.
After much turmoil the House went into q
permanent organization. and Mr.. Wiltz was
duly declared elected Speaker. This enraged
the Radicals, and thereupon many OF them
left amid such excitement and turmoil as has
perhaps never been witnessed In any other
legislative body The screaming and shout
Ing Of the foiled henchmen of Kellogg we're
deafening, and threats loud and deep were
made, while weapons every ywhere cleaned In
the hands Of men whose bloody records made
ltf0IH uhHBSIOuS. IHe HWlul ttuSiUu Vi tuib
moment the imminenee and almost absolute
certainty Of a conflict, which would result 10
the murder OF every Democrat In that hall,
made men who had hraved death on hun
dred battle-felds realizs Its nearness.
Those who were there still speak OF 1t as
the most trying aud dreadful emergency
through which they have ever passed, and
recall the frightfu incident with q shudder.
How stood Louis Alfred Witt In those cru
cial moments that tried mems souls2 Calm
and perfectly collected, he maintained his
position, and his fearless and undaunted bear
Ing did much to prevent bloodshed and inspire
others with confidence. In the midst of this
stormy scene, knowing that Gen. De Trobri-
and was In the corridor, a motion was made
and carried to ask him to preserve the peace
of the House.
When the Genesal entered accom- panied by
staff officer, Speaker Witt addressed him
as follows: General, the House of Repre-
sentatives is organized, with me as Speaker
| have been asked by members to Invite you
here, and request OF you (if your orders and
duty will permiN to say few words to this
unruly lobby and to preserve the peace In the
lobby. / feel that can maintain the dignity
of this House, but It might cause bloodshed,
and as 1t is not my desire Or the wish Of my
party and people to shed blood. you Will much
oblige me by speaking to those unruly peo-
pie"
There are those who find fault with this ac-
tion, but 1t is enough to say that those carp
Ing critics mere not present on that extremely
critical occasion. In an armed citadel OF the
enemy, cut Off from all human aid, q handful
OF resoute men against hostile army, their
lives threatened by hired assassins. ia the midst
of g tumult which would have ended In In
discriminate slaughter had but one pistol shot
been fired, there was nothing left but to call
upon the representative OF the only authority
recognized and feared by the rioters to quell
them with nOrds, not with bayonets. The
gentlemen are hypercritieal who object to this
action, for which, by the way, the House Of
Representatives, and not Speaker Witt, is
responsible. He but carried out the mandate
OF the House, as was his duty. and did 1t with
consummate skill and address.
When the final outrage came and the
booted and epurred representative Of Federal
authority elected by force OF arms and ID
spite OF the protest of the Speaker, several
of the House, and stationed troops
around the Speakers desk Mr.. Wiltz arose,
and In impassioned tones uttered the follow
ing protest, which went ringing through the
country Ike blast from bugle, awakening
freemen everywhere to a sense Of danger to
Republican government. He said:
/ have, as the legal Speaker OF the House,
protested against the occupation OF this hall
by United States troops, and now again, in
the name Of the people Of the United States,
In the name OF my down-trodden people once
Free In the name OF my bleeding State, In the
name OF God and In the name OF justice, /
enter my solemn protest against this inter
ference. Gentlemen Of the General Assem-
bly,, your legislative hall is In possession OF
the soldiers Of the United States. You have
seen your brother-Inembers forcibly elected
at the point OF the bay0net. Under tho cir
/ do not consider 1t my duty to
longer remain.
Stepping from the chair amid enthusiastic
cheers, he left the hall, accompanied by the
Dem ooratfc members.
Thus closed one OF the most extraordinary
scenes ever Witnessed In civilized country.
The consequence OF that act OF Federal out
age. heralded through the country, as 1t was,
oy this ringing and dignifed protest OF
Speaker Wiltz, we are reaping to-day, In q
government Of our own choice, free from the |
glitter Of bayonets and from Federal dicta- |
Ion. |
Everywhere throughout the land the people |
rose and protested against this outrage upon |
civil liberty, and the Governors OF numerous |
States caught up and re-echoed the superb |
protest OF our Speaker and memorlalized the |
legislatures on the subject.
This is the simple and unvarnished record |
y that historic day. Are we to be told that
he man who on that occasion so zealeusly |
md periodically guarded the honor OF his
state, taking his life In his hands and being
eady te offer 1t, II need be, on the altar Of
liberty, IS not now to be trusted-is not the
nan to be Governor OF Louisiana!
Away with such folly! The people OF Lou
siana can nowhere find man In whom their
ltelests can more safely be reposed than In
,ouis Alfred Wiltz, who has never faltered