The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-07-13
WHEN LOUISIANA WAS BAYONETED.

Former Governor H. C. Warmoth has
sold the contents of his Magnolia Central
factory to A. Marx, of New Orleans, to be
taken over to Cuba.-News Item.
Surviving a time when his word was
CLAW and gospel to all Republicans in
Louisiana, Henry Clay Warmoth is now
in retirement on a sugar plantation below
New Orleans to the present generation al
most unknown. Elected Governor on the
18th and 18th days of April, 1868, Git took
two days to elect Louisiana's first brood of
Repu blican office holders) be was the first
carpet bag Governor of the State under
Reconstruction. or rather, destruction.
Handsome in person, engaging in manners,
eloquent and persuasive in speech, pos
sessing quick, fertile brain, insenslble to
fear, and reaOrceful in expedients, he was
the beau ideal of a political leader.
He was unquestionably the source of all
power-an autocrat uncontrolled save by
his own will. The Legislature was under
his undisputed and absolute sway for two
years. The judiciary were likewise his
creatures and tools.
The Federal patronage, Or Custom House
branch of the carpet bag party, alarmed at
Warmoth's power, made war upon him.
The quarrel began in the fall of 1870, and
continued with varying fortunes to the re-
spective sides till it eliminated in Deem
Der, 1872, by the complete overthrow of
Warmoth.
During the campaign of 1872 coalation
was formed between Warmoth and his
followers and the Democrats. The Peo-
ple's party nominated John McEnery for
Governor and Col. Davidson B. Penn for
/" l,o ~ oh Of
congressman, and an electoral ticket for
Horace Greeley and B. Gratz Brown, were
also agreed upon. The election was held
on the 4th of November. 1t was conducted
strictly in accordance with the laws enact
ed in 1870. The majority for the Fusion
ticket was, according to the returns of the
commissioners of election, several thou
sand. Warmoth issued proclamation for
the Legislature just elected to convene in
extra session at New Orleans on December
9th. Before it convened, E. H. Durrell a
Federal Judge, made beastly drunk for the
occasion, issued his famous, or rather
infamous 'midnight order,'' directing the
United States Marshal to forthwith take
possession Of the building known as the
Mechanics Institute, and occupied as the
State House for the asse bling Of the
Legislature therein, in the city of New Or
leans, and hold the same subject to the
further order Of this court, and meanwhile
to prevent all unlawful assemblage therein
under the guise or pretext Of authority
claimed by virtue of pretended canvass and
returns made by said pretended Returning
Officers, in contempt and violation of said
restraining order"
Attorney General Williams telegraphed
Marshal Packard "yOu are to enforce the
DEGREES and mandates of the United States
Courts, no matter by whom resisted, and
Gen. Emory will furnish you with all nee.
essary troops for that purpose
Gov. Warmoth was practically driven
from office by United States bayonets, the
Fusion Legislature denied admittance tc
ment overthrown by Federal bayonets.
Warmoth, disguised with the robber rule
of the Kellogg Packard wing of the Re
publican party, repudiated the black anc
tan Custom House crowd of freebooters
He was loyal to the Democrats, turned The
aIl-powerful election machinery of The
State over to them, and made public
speeches in favor of the Fusion ticket
which he helped to elect. In appre
citation Of his services, it was the wish Of ;
large majority Of the Democrats of tn,
State that the Fusion Legislature shoult
elect him to the United States Senate, blu
Durrell's midnight order, invoking the ait
of Grants bayonets in favor of the kellogg
Government made impossible the success
of the McEnery Government, and insured
''four years more Of good stealing" il