The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-13

more could they ask? No other country n
this earth would extend to any new corners
such privileges and what do we ask in return?
Simply that they. like all others of foreign
birth, should conform to existing laws by
which their persons and property are protect
ed; 10 ass m late in thought and deed with
our own people in denouncing the wrong aud
unfolding the right; to rise above the fears and
persuasOns OF secret societies, helping to crush
their power and, above all else showing
allegiance TO the principles of the national and
state governments with no doubtful fidelity,
realizing that the one flag, as the emblem of
freedom is not less the index of a nations
power, is the stars and str pes, which husband
shall be respected. 1t may be thought thatwe
have exceeded the bounds which should CON-
pass the report of grand jury, hut let IL be
remembered the subjects embraced are of such
extraordinary character in connection with the
events of the recent past that 10 some extent
we are compelled to render TO them our posi-
ton citizens, as well ss from our present Off
clal relations 10 this honorable court.
In the presentation OF the m ain features given
to us as evidence. condensed AS far rs possible
by the selection of the most important portions
OF the inquiry, we have referred mainly to the
evidence bearing upon the trial of the accused
in sec. B. of this honorable court, but directly
connected with all these circumstances are the
terrible events transporting on the 18th oil March
last, events which IN themselves may be
charged as directly traceable to the miscarriage
on the 18th o March.
We are deeply impressed with the serious
charge delivered by your honor to this body on
the subject, and at no time since have We lost
sight of the necessity for a thorough invesiiga-
ton OF all the conditions autecedent to il. We
have engaged ourselves most asSiduously with
tho examination OF a large number of
witnesses, embracing those who were present
at the meet ng on Canal-st. in the vicinity of
the parish prison, as well as several hundred
of our fellow citizens taken from every rank
and class of society. It is shown in the evil
dence that the gathering on Saturday morning,
March II, embraced several thousands of the
first best, and even the most law-abiding cti-
Gems OF this city, assembled as is the right of
American citizens TO discuss In public meeting
questions of grave import. We find general
sentiment among these witnesses and also in
our intercourse with the people, that the YER
dict as rendered by the jury was oOntrsrg 10
the law and the evidence and secured mainly
through the designing and inscriptions agents
employed for the special purpose OF defeating
the ends of justice; at that meeting the de-
termination was shown that the neople I'D
not submit to the surrender Il their rights
into the hands OF midnight assassns and their
powerful allies.
The assassination of the late chief Of police
shows the elimination OF a conspiracy. His
death was deemed necessary 10 prevent the
exposure and punishment OF Grim mails whose
guilt was being fast established by hi, diligent
pursuit. The condition OF affairs in this COM
munty. as 10 certain class of violators of the
law, had reached such stage that the law it.
self was well nigh poworless to deal with them,
so far-reaching vas their power and influence
In the trial of criminal cnsss. Good citizens
were profoundly impressed by the repeated
and signal failures of justice.
The arts OF the periurer and briber seemed 10
dominate IN the courts, paralTzing and render
ing powerless the ends of justice. Certainly
this was a desperate situation. In the pubic
meeting above referred to-general and spon-
taneOus in character as truly indicating an up
rising OF the masses-we doubt ii any power at
the command of the authorities would have
been sufficient to overcome its Intentions.
Evidence is before us from official sources
that eleven persons were killed IN the attack
on the parish prison. In the careful examina-
ton as To the citizenship OF those men we find
that eight or them were beyond quest'ol
American citizens and another had declared
his intention" in this court, which sc, carries
with it the remuneration OF allegiance 20 his
native country. 1t is a noteworthy fact in con-
nection with the uprising that 10 injury what
ever was done TO either person or property be-
yond the one act which seemed to have been
the object of the assemblage at the parish
prison. We have referred to the
large number OF citizens participating in
this demonstration an estimate by
judges 1t from 5000 to 5000 regarded as a
spontaneous uprising o! the people. The mag
nitude of the AFFAIR makes it a difficult task
fix the guilt upon any number Of the partici-
pants-in fact the act seemed to involve the
entire people of this parish and city of New
Orleans. so serious is their sympathy and ex-
tended their connection with the affair. In
view of these considerations the thorough ex-
animation OF the subject has fniled 10 disclose
the necessary facts TO justify this grand jury in
presenting indictments. Respectfully submit
ted w. II. CHATFEE Foreman.
T.. GAUCHE. :. r. GRAHAM,
+. w. CASTLEMAN, ". l.. SAXON,
GEO. II. NENNARD, o. CAREIERE.
DAVID STUART, q. 4. HOGsETr. JR,
G.. c. Ia FAYE, j. JACKSON.
PAUL J. CHRISTIAN, EMILE +. HAIRY,
A. S. RANLETT, ii. HALLER.
w. Il. LEONARD.