'-■'.?" tyA),.gu3UKi Ha:^«'-^ ' LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE; OS, jfe 0f OR, BY EMILY HAZEN REED. Snatch from the ashes of your sirea The emblems of their former fires, And he who in the strife expires, Will add to theirs a name of fear That tyranny will quake to hear. — Byron. 0- ^ ifb WM. P, TOMLINSON, 39 NASSAU STREET, 1868. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year one tnousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, by WM. P. TOMLINSON, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. TO THB MEMORY OF THE PATRIOTS SACRIFICED UPON THE ALTAR OF FREEDOM, THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. "Give me the death of those Who for their country die, And oh ! be mine like their repose, When cold and low they lie ! There loveliest mother earth Enshrines the fallen brave, In her sweet lap who gave them birth They find the tranquil grave." \^Montgomery. PREFACE. " Will the cause of Liberty suflfer through me, because my enemies misinterpret my acts and sayings ? " said the dying Dostie. That the Cause for which thousands have fallen may be pro- moted, some of those noble " acts and sayings," have been recorded in the following pages, to be preserved as sacred mementoes by the friends of Republican Liberty, who will cherish the patriotic acts and liberal sentiments of one of their standard-bearers in the cause of Universal Freedom. That the weapons of truth may pierce the hard hearts of traitors and conspirators — who were " all forgiven " by their dying victim — some of the events connected with the life of a patriot and martyr have been narrated. That the prominent events relating to " The Conflict in New PREFACE. VIU. Orleans" between Slavery and Freedom — between Despotism und Republicanism, may find a place in the history of the Great Rebellion, those events have been recorded in the work before the reader. New York, April 24, 1868. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. EARLY LIFE OF DOSTIE, - - - - - - 13 CHAPTER n. DOSTIE'S removal to new ORLEANS, - - - - 17 CHAPTER III. DOSTIE's departure FOR THE NORTH, - - - 20 CHAPTER IV. NEW ORLEANS BEFORE GEN. EUTLER's ARRIVAL, - - 31 CHAPTER V. butler's military rule in new Orleans, - - 39 CHAPTER VI. return of DOSTIE to new ORLEANS, - - - - 41 CHAPTER VII. public schools of new ORLEANS, - ... 45 CHAPTER VIH. THE CHURCHES OF NEW ORLEANS, - ... 55 X. CONTENTS. CHAPTER IX. DR. DOSTIE's activity IN THE UNION CAUSE, - - 58 CHAPTER X. DOSTIE's POLITICAL VIEWS, ------ 61 CHAPTER XI. CHANGES OF MILITARY COMMANDEKS IN NEW ORLEANS, 81 CHAPTER XII. LOUISIANA CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OP 1864, - 101 CHAPTER XIII. DOSTIE AS AUDITOR OF STATE, 105 CHAPTER XIV. DOSTIE AND DURANT, - - - . - - -110 CHAPTER XV. LOUISIANA CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS IN 1864, - - 125 CHAPTER XVI. DOSTIE AND BARKER, - - 136 CHAPTER XVII. GOVERNOR HAHN, 155 CHAPTER XVIII. PRESIDENT LINCOLN, ------- 161 CHAPTER XIX. PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN ANDREW JOHNSON, - - - 175 CHAPTER XX. GENERAL BANKS DISPLACED BY GENERAL CANBY, - 188 CHAPTER XXI. DOSTIE's CONFIDENCE IN JOHNSON, - - - - 209 CONTENTS. XL CHAPTER XXn. REBEL LEGISLATURES, - - 233 CHAPTER XXni. SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND FREEDMEN's BUREAU, - - 238 CHAPTER XXIV. DOSTIE NOMINATED SURVEYOR OF THE PORT, - - 245 CHAPTER XXV. DOSTIE'S loss op CONFIDENCE IN JOHNSON, - - - 248 CHAPTER XXVI. MONROE RE-ELECTED MAYOR OP NEW ORLEANS, - - 277 CHAPTER XXVII. CALL FOR A CONVENTION, 286 CHAPTER XXVIII. MASSACRE OP JULY 30th, 186G, ----- 303 CHAPTER XXIX. DR. DOSTIE'S DEATH, ------- 312 CHAPTER XXX. CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATIONS, 331 APPENDIX. CONGRESSIONAL REPORT, 345 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE; The Conflict of New Orleans. CHAPTER I. EARLY LIFE OF DOSTIE, Anthony Paul Dostie was boi*n at Saratoga, New York, on the 20th of June, 1821. His father was of French descent ; his mother was of German. His an cestry did not descend like that of the Marquis de Lafayette from the French nobility, nor from the Ger- man aristocracy, like that of the Baron de Kalb ; but the same enthusiastic love of liberty, which animated those heroes of the first American Revolution, burned in the soul of Dostie during the conflict between republican liberty and slavery, which ended in the triumph of Freedom in the Second American Revolution. The father of Dostie was a barber by trade. He was an honest, industrious man, of vigorous, but unculti- 14 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE, vated intellect. Ho was a marked character where he lived, noted for his independent bearing, and fearless- ness ni)on all occasions, and respected for his native good sense. His mother is remembered for her goodness of heart, and indnstrious habits. These qualities she impressed upon her mimerous family, who are all useful American citizens and loyal to republican principles. The childhood of Dostie was not remarkable for striking events. His education was limited to the ad- vantages of a common public school. Said he, in speaking of those school days, "I was then a lover of the cause of liberty, and often stole away from my companions, to study the lives of those who were devoted to the cause of Freedom. Generosity of soul, love of liberty, and hatred of oppression characterized the early history of one who was subsequently destined to be a conspicuous victim to the power of oppi-ession. The intellectual germs implanted in the progressive mind of Dostie were retarded in their development by the influences of his surroundings. Like many of our self-made men, which American history delights to recognize as the upholders of her republican institu- tions, Dostie, at a period in his life, when his proud spirit longed to be free from every engagement but that of intellectual culture, was restrained by poverty, and compelled to work for his daily bread, in a barber's shop. Amei'ica proudly boasts that, upon her historical re- cord, the names of her noblest heroes and martyrs have not always been taken from the ranks of high-born avis- EAllLY LIFK OF DOdTlE. 15 tocracy, nor from that chiyalric band, whose boast has ever been " That power and wealth must be the pass- port to honor," Pure republicanism exalts her patriots, cherishes tlicm for their principles, independent of the accidents of birth, forgetful of their nationality or origin in contemplation of their humanity. In his nineteenth year, Dostie was mai-ried to a lady from Cazenovia, New- York, (Miss Eunice Hull), of un- common beauty and high intellectual attainments. She Avas the idol of his heart. Said he, " From the moment my Love possessed my affections, it became my study to become the worthy companion of my beautiful and intellectual wife. I often studied until two o'oclock in the morning, and recited the lessons I had learned to the one who sympathized with me in every hope and sorrow. Six years this sacred relation continued, and then my domestic happiness ended. She died, and with her were buried my aft'ections ; since then my heart has been buried beneath the tomb." About the period of his marriage he went to Amster- dam, New York, where he gave his attention to den- tistry. He studied his profession in the office of Dr. J, C. Duell, who thus speaks of him : — " During the resi- dence of Dr. Dostie in Amsterdam, he spent all his leisure time in study, and improved his qualities of mind and heart to an almost unprecedented degree, becoming one of the leading men of the town." lu the society of Odd Fellows, of which he was a member, he passed the " Chief Executive Chair " at an early day. Ever faithful in attendance upon the sick, as assistance was required, he will be remembered by 16 T.IFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. all who knew him, as one foremost in every good Avorlc. In the profession he had ehosen, lie became a proficient, and niigraled to Chicago to pursue his calling in a hi-oader field. From thence he went to Marshall, Mich- igan, where he spent a few years, usefully to himself and to society. He visited Amsterdam occasionally, and was always greeted warmly by hosts of friends. His last visit was during the dark days of the rebellion. Upon being called upon to address a meeting convened for the purpose of raising volunteers, he was enthusiastically greeted, and proved of great assistance in revealing the true state of affairs in the South, He was a man of extensive reading ; was possessed of a remarkable memory, and carefully criticised everything of importance in his reading. Ilis nature was genial. He was facinating in conversation, and made friends and admirers wherever he went. The life of Dr. Dostie in Chicago and Marshall was quiet and imeventful. His time was principally divided between his profession and his studies. Active and in- dustrious in all his undertakings, he was marked by the thoughtful among his friends, as one preparing for a career of usefulness DOSTIE's removal to new ORLEANS. 1*7 CHAPTER II. "DOSTIE's removal to new ORLEANS. In 1852, Dr. Dostie removed to New Orleans, where he was known for years as a popular dentist, and a gen- tleman of refinement. He was beloved for his upright and benevolent character ; admired for his energy and ability, and respected for his love of justice and high sense of honor. At this period of his life he was a man of commanding figure, and nobly marked features. His habitual expres- sion was sad and thoughtful, and indicative of strong will, noble impulses and benevolent action. In man- ners, he was gentlemanly and winning. His frankness and gentleness combined, endeared him to a large circle of friends in New Orleans, who dreamed not that the storms of Rebellion would transform their gentle friend into " the turbulent agitator." As the time approached when the friends of liberty be- came known as antagonists to the mass of the Southern people, who were wedded to Slavery and its offspring — the Rebellion, a few in New Orleans, dared to express their hatred to treason and oppression. Con- spicuous among that number was Dr. Dostie, who stood above a volcano of wrath, and defied the rebellious ele- ment that threatened the lives and happiness of those 18 LIFE OF A, P. DOSTIE. who cherished republican principles. Said Dr. Dostie, at a time in the history of the rebellion when in New Orleans such words Avere considered Avoithy of death by the popular verdict, " I hate no human being, but rebellion to republican principles I Avill never cease to denounce in bitter terms. Principles rise superior to men in this conflict between freedom and slavery, and 1 would rather see every human being wiped out from the Southern States, than to behold the triumph of treason." Such firmness of principles, strength of virtue, and force of mind, exhibited in the face of rebel ven- geance at an early period in the Rebellion marked Dostie a victim to be selected from the revolutionary arena of Louisiana. The patriotism and loyalty of Dr. Dostie changed his numerous friends to enemies. His popularity was sacri- ficed before his honesty of soul, and devotion to his Gov- ernment. Said a rebel (once a friend of the Dr.'s) " Dostie has elements in his character, that might make him the most popular of men, but he has not the most remote idea of policy." Said a friend of Dr. Dostie's, "During the war I was one day walking with him, when one of the lady principals of a Seminary in ,New Orleans passed ns. She cast upon us a look of contempt, so marked that I said to the Dr., "Is that an enemy of yours ?" He replied, " She is a lady of intellect and refinement, of whom I was once proxid to say, ' she is my friend,' but with a host of old friends, she foUoAvs trea- son, and, judging from her manner, I must say ' she numbers herself among my enemies.' " Ex-Mayor Monroe says of him, " Dr. Dostie was my friend. He was master of the Masonic Lodge for years DOSTIe's removal to new ORLEANS, 19 to which I belonged. He was an honest Union man, a faithful, candid, conscientious friend." He should have added, and for those virtues I used my power to murder him. " My friend," said Monroe, when the stem, just eye of Shellabarger and an Elliot were fastened ui:)on him, in December, 1866. _ But in 1860-61. and July 30th, 1866, " My victim." It is in the tempest of revolution that the inexorable will, boldness and courage of men like Dostie appear to excite traitors to villainous deeds of murder. His daring sj^mt, patriotic fire, and undymg love for the Union made him a conspicuous mark for the venomovis darts of those who bid defiance to his cherished principles. 'i " Dostie shall be hanged, or bow his pi'oud head to treason's yoke," were the words of the conspirators, who acknowledged Jefierson Davis then* leader, and his mur- derous policy, their rule of action. 20 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. CHAPTER m. dostie's departure for the north. On the 21st of August, 1861, refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the Southern Confederacy, Dostie left New Orleans and went to Chicago. Said he, " when I arrived in Chicago I had no means at my command. De- prived of my home and business, I was sad and gloomy. As I retired to my room for the night and reflected iipon my future prospects, the darkness of despair seemed to gather around me. In the midst of this gloom, some- thing seemed to whisper to me, " This revolution convul- sing our country is Liberty stiniggling for justice and right. The thought of my repinings made me ashamed of my selfish fears. I trusted in an arm of power; com posed myself to sleep, and awoke ready for action." Surrounded by difliculties, which would have appalled a common mind, Dostie was cheerful and hopeftil. For a moment a flash of despair, may have caused him to utter an expression of woe, but by an effort of his power- ful Avill despondency was quickly cast from him. He was seldom heard to complain of any misfortune, but with a calm philosophical resignation, he could smile at woe ; defy the powers of despotism, and look with contempt upon the indignities ofiered to himself and his friends by the enemies of his government. dostie's departure for the north. 21 In Chicago, he watched the progress of events connect- ed with the revolution with intense interest. What hours he could spare from his business, were devoted to readmg and correspondence with friends in diiferent parts of the Union in relation to the great conflict agi- tating the nation. Li a letter at that time, he said, " I would gladly sacri- fice my life if by so doing I could render assistance to the sacred cause of Liberty," — little knowing that des- tiny had reserved his life for just such a sacrifice. The following letter to Dr. J. C. Duell, expresses the patriotic love for the Union ever manifested by Dr. Dostie : My Very Dear Friend^ — Your letter, so kind towards me personally, and so loyal and patriotic to our grievously wronged country, was received in due course of mail. I might ofier good and valid reasons for not having writ- ten sooner, but to do so would consume too much space, and I trust to your kindness to excuse the omission. " You tell me that you and other friends supposed that ' most probably I was in the rebel army.' You and my other friends never more misjudged a character than in thus judging of mine. Ascribe to me, if you choose, all the crimes in the criminal calendar, but never the dark, atrocious and damning sin of treason. My manhood is immaculate against it. After my God, I love my coun- try most — her freedom-breathing inspirations — the mem- ory of her immortal defenders — their glorious battles for the achievement of man's liberty, freedom and equal- ity. All personal considerations are rendered contempti- ble in the mere comparison. I have watched the progress of the great treason with the most painful interest. I 22 LIPE OF A. P. DOSTIE. saw it approacliing when it appeared as but a little cloud, that a fearless patriot of Jackson's stamp might have dispelled before it assumed such great pi-oi^ortions. Such a man could have prevented the fratricidal war by exj^osing the deceptive and villainoiis schemes of dema- gogues and monsters, who would build up and agrandize themselves on the ruins of liberty, and visiting them with the traitor's punishment ere they had succeeded in beguiling the peoj^le so far in their treason. " During the presidential campaign there was little or no disunionism publicly avowed. All joined in disavow- ing the criminal intent. Speakers were interrogated, and great and small either avowed that the election of Lin- coln would not constitute sufficient cause for dissolving the Union, or they evaded the question. The mass of the people were as loyal to the old flag as they were any- where in the North, until the few powerful conspirators sprung their coup cV etat upon them. Amazement and consternation ensued, and the terrific struggle began. Disunion and Union meetings Avere nightly held in the city of New Orleans. The Breckenridge politicians and their followers attended the disunion meetings. The union meetings were more attended by the moral and intellectual class of the community, including many who had been but little known, or not known at all, as poli- ticians. The former were addressed by men of no stand- ing or character, the latter by such men as Kandall Hunt, Christian Roselius, Thomas J. Dui*ant, and Pierre Soule. Unionism assumed a bold front, and little fear was entertained for the State of Louisiana until the Rev. Dr. Palmer sacriligiously preached disunionism from hi;; pulpit. Then the parricides assumed a courage and coi> dostie's departure for the north. 23 fidence fearful in its influence for evil. At their meeting held in Odd Fellows' Hall, they substituted the bust of the great traitor, John C. Calhoun for that of Washing- ton, the pelican flag for the ' ensign of the Republic,' and instead of the ' Star Spangled Banner ' an imitation of the French ' Marseillaise ' was sung by a young girl dressed and decorated as the Goddess of Liberty. The revolutionists themselves wore blue cockades. " Their speeches were made up of wild invectives and denunciations against the North and everything north- em. The union was mn-sed as a leprous sore. The gath- erings of the Unionists continued until the ' Convention election,' when, having done their utmost to wrest the State from the conspirators, they ceased their meetings and active opposition. Unlike their adversaries they were unarmed and powerless. The ofticial result of the election in the State was never published. That portion of the press which supported the cause of the Union con- tended that the result was opposed to secession and in favor of ' co-operation,' and demanded the pviblication of the ofiicial vote. But the demand was refused, and to this day the public does not know what the people's verdict was. The convention met at Baton Rouge, and with closed doors passed the infamous act. The event was announced by telegraph and the firing of cannon, and was variously received by the people. Some re- joiced, but thousands cried ' shame !' and foreshadowed in their faces the gloom that was to envelope them and that beautiful country. " Down to this lamentable 26th of January, I scarcely knew a man possessing social or commercial standing, who did not mourn the posture the State had assumed, 24 LIFE OF A, P. DOSTIE. and feel the most unhappy forebodings. Soon a reign of terror was inaugurated ; liberty of speech was pro- scribed. He was considered a bold and rash man who still advocated the cause of his country. There were still many who were thus bold. Men were daily arrested and imprisoned for expressing the Union sentiments of our fathers. My assistant, Dr. Metcalf, from Kalamazoo, Michigan, was incai'cerated in a loathsome prison, as early as last April, for asserting that he believed ' Lin- coln would shell Charleston and cut the levees of New Orleans, if necessary to the enforcGnient of the laws, and the maintenance of the integrity of the Union.' As soon as he was released he fled to the land of liberty. Thou- sands were driven away by the terrorism. Sojourners and citizens that had the means, left rather than com- promise theii- manhood. Thousands there were who were anxious to leave, but had not the means to do so. Language cannot describe the mental and jihysical dis- tress that existed in that community Avhere a few months before they had been so happy, prosperous and con- tented. General bankruptcy of the business men, and destitution of the mechanical and laboring classes fol- lowed. Clerks, artisans and laborers were forced to join the rebel army for the support of themselves and their families, and thousands were kept from starvation by scanty supplies from the 'Free Market,' that was es- tablished as early as June last. " The accounts published in our newspapers of the trials and persecutions of men and women who still liave a lingering love for the Union are not overwrought jdIc- tures. These miseries are more than the pen can de- scribe, I left last September ; and if such was the condi- dostie's depaktuke for the noktii, 25 lion of tilings then, you may imagine for yourself how much more aggravated their sufferings must be now. The great majority of the people in the South, in my opinion, love the Union, and the dear associations that cluster around it. They were deceived and cheated by designing knaves, to whom, for years, they had given their confidence. " How fortunate was the escape of little Maryland from their clutches. The people of that State, protected by Federal arms, have, in their State election, spoken in tones of thunder for the old flag. Look at Missouri! IIoAV near the villains came to its jjossession ! Yet the undaunted heroism of a Lyon, a Fremont, a Ilalleck, with the determined valor of its true sons, saved it ; and now, letters to me from there, assure me tliere is a gen- eral joy felt and expressed for their deliverance. Look everywhere that our arms have reached for indubitable evidence of the loyalty of the down-trodden people. At Nashville, Tennessee, on my way from New Or- leans, I was imprisoned for expressions of loyalty. After my liberation many of the people grasped my hand in sympathy, and many of them openly told me that I was not alone in the entertainment of such sentiments, that thousands in Jackson's old State still loved and would yet ofter their lives for the old Union. These were and are still the sentiments of many thousands in the South, deprived of the liberty of speech and of freemen's rights. These observations are the result of an intimate ac- quaintance and knowledge of the people of that section. General Houston, of Texas, is said to have gone after the ' strange gods.' I do not believe in the truth of the statement.- He is an old man, the i-)rotege of Jack- 26 LIFE OF A. r. DOSTIE. / son, and in a spcccli uttered the undying sentiment, — 'I M'isli no e|)it;ii)li to be ^vritten to tell that I surviA'ed the ruin of this glorious l^nion.' I believe that he could not prove recreant, and must be, as ever, for the Union. His position illustrates that of thousands. They may be crushed to-day, but Avill rise in turn and crush the I'cal invaders of their homes and despoilers of their liappi- ness. They were constantly under the threats of im- prisonment or of the bowie-knife and revolver, to intimi- date and aAve tliem into silence and submission. Those wlio v'iiuld not submit to the despotism Avere shot down, imprisoned, or compelled to Hee the country precipi- tately, leaving proj)erty, and in many instances, dear relations behind them. At the time of my departure, I was said to be the ' last publicly known ITnionist in the city,' the thousands of others were crushed and made to seeniinghj yield to the powers that be. Disgraceful and discreditable as it is, many from the North were among the most noisy and bitter enemies Unionists had to con- tend against. 3[en, who a year or more before Avere 'Republicans' in the North, were now- spies and in- formers against citizens of the South, both native and adopted. JNIy persecutors were men Avho had l)een but a little wiiile there. Tl>e dearest and nearest friends I had were natives or long residents of the South. They urged me to leave because of the personal dangers that environed me. But to the credit of Northern virtue and ])atriotic love for the Union, I was proud to witness that the great body of them left the country, and many are now heroically fighting the battles of Liberty. The feeling toAvards the Northern classes had been most cor- dially fraternal, until the election of Lincoln, when it DOSTIE'S DErARTUUE FOTt THE NORTH. 27 became divided, but ns the elections on the 'secession qiiestion ' demonstrated, the great majority were still Union-loving and aftectionate towards us. Only two of the seceded States, South Carolina and Florida, gaA'e , positive Union majorities. The rest, by treachery and the boldness of the despotism, were declared out of the Union. If the sentiment of the people there was not divided, but like that of our revolutionary fathers, united in a holy cause, mightier armies and navies than we now command could not conquer or subdue them. They had not suflicient aggressions nor wrongs from our benefi- cient and just government, and were not threatened Avith any. They knew at the time of raising the stand- ard of rebellion, that admitting Lincoln Avould strive to encroach on their constitutional rights. Congress and the Supreme Court judges, were eminently conservative, and there were no cause for complaint or alarm. Had a score of men, whom I could name, been hung for trea- sonable speeches and acts, all the untold affliction which has since followed would have been obviated, and now we would be the same happy and great people we were. Having God and justice with our cause, and having ncA'cr designed nor done them wrong, we can and will prevent a broken Union. We v/ill again become a happy and united people, fulfilling our great destiny of establishing, not only on this continent but elsewhere, the liberty, equality and fraternity of mankind. Our armies and fleets will soon have reached the great ' Ci'es- cent City,' and I predict, its people will receive them with demonstrations of unaflfected joy. The advices re- ceived from there are enough to satisfy any rational mind, that they are only kept under by power. Even 28 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. now the intelligence has come, that the first and second | brigades, including the Gardes cV Orle spot on which to assemble, to create a panic, or infuse a Rudden rage in the breasts of the populace, and prepare, them for murderous action. BUTLKn's MII.ITAUY IIULE IX NEAV ORLEAXS. 39 I CHAPTER V, ' butler's military rule in new ORLEANS. ' May 1st, 1862, is a memorable day In the history of (^New Orleans, On that clay, General Bntler gladdened f. the hearts of a patriot nation, and struck terror into re- i bellion, by seizing the stronghold of Treason — the mc- 1 tropolis of the South. Wlieu Lincoln said to the noble I Farragut, " Go with the fleet to New Orleans, and to the brave Butler ; take your troops to that rebellious city ;" he believed that the nation must be all free — that destiny had decreed the deatli of the national curse. " Sweep from the waters of the Mississippi the foul Avorks of traitor liands," Avas the command of Fari-agut to liis brave men. Victory Avas theirs, and the Star- Spangled Banner floated in the breeze, and the national airs from an heroic band mingled Avith the music of the Avaters, in glad ])raises to freedom and loyalty. Farra- gut had struck the 1)1oav the Government required at his hands, and added a trophy to our naval laurels. Butler, as commander of the United States troops, Avas now to regulate the disordered elements, Avhich had made NeAV Orleans a tempestuous sea of revolt and anarchy. The harmonious action of the army and navy soon calmed the storms Avhieh tlireatencd to destroy the riotous city. The ncAvs of the great Union victory over treason's 40 LIFE OF A. V. DOSTIE. stroiigliold, was received with emotions of gratitude one joy, l)y men like Dostie and his excited companions wlu had lU'd from their genial liomes to escape death and op pression. Men of secession principles like the Rev. Dr. Palmer Avlio had sacreligiously ])reached disunion and slaverxj fiH)m tlieir })uli)its, vowed revenge upon Farragut, IJutler and the United States Government ; calling loudly upor the " Confederacy " to demolish the loyal army and na vy, demanding the head of the " Beast " Avho had mad<^i their Monroe tremble before the law of justice — silenceui the insults of rebel women, and made the outward signsl of secession unpopular in New Orleans. Mayor Monroe at first defied the commands of General Butler, but speedily brought to fear the iron will and just demands of his superior, he changed his course and sought by intrigue and hypocricy, to throw a veil over his duplicity, but the stern eye of the great criminal lawyer pierced his every motive. Laying his hand upon the traitor, he was conveyed to Fort Jackson, v/heiv he \ remained for months — not to rejx'iit of treasonable acts, but to plot future conspiracies. The Public Schools, the Churches and the Pebel wo- men of Xew Orleans, (all venomous in their treason) were made harmless for a time, by the firm rule of the subduer of tx'aitors. KETUKX OF DOSTIE TO XEAV ORLEANS. 41 CHAPTER VI. RETURN OF DOSTIE TO XEAV ORLEANS. The Star-Spangled banner waving under the command of Farragut and Butler, invited Unionists from all parts of the country to seek protection imder its folds. Among the number who came, was Dr. Dostie. His arrival in ISTew Orleans was thus announced in the True Delta, of August 20th, 1862 : " Among the arrivals by the steamer was Dr. Dostie, an eminent dentist of this city, who was compelled to leave, last August, on account of his bold expressions of Union sentiment, Di, Dostie has been welcomed by a large circle of friends. He is a fluent and earnest speaker, and we hope, will be heard by our Union citi- zens at their meetings." When Lafayette and the Baron de Kalb stepped upon Liberty's soil after a tedious voyage of months, they miitually swore to conquer or die in the contest upon which they Avere entering. That noble resolve was prompted l)y their true love of liberty. It was the same sjiirit which led the patriotic Dostie to exclaim, " I have come back after one year's absence from my loved home, to die for the cause of liberty, if by such sacrifice it shall receive one impetus." From that time his life was a continued series of patriotic deeds and self-sacrificing acts. Aug. 21st, 1SG2, just one year ft'om 42 LIFE OV A. P. DOSTIE. tlio (lay lie left the government of Jefferson Davis and the command of Gen. Twiggs, he addressed a Union meeting in Xew Orleans, xmder the Government, claim- ing Ahraham Lincoln as its Chief Execntive, and Gen- eral IJutler as its military commander. The llev. 3[r. Duncan — President of the Union meet- ing addressed by Di'. Dostie, Aug, 21st, 1SG2 — was to the cause of the Union, what Dr. Palmer was to the cause of Rebellion, Both Avere men of superior intellect. ]>ot]i Avere iu a position to exert an immense influence, either for good or evil — for a IJepublican Government, or a Slave Despotism, Dr, Duncan loving his Church next to his God, tore himself from its rebel influence, pro- claiming amidst persecution and insult, his devotion to his Govenmient, the Union, and Liberty. An exile from his Church, his family, and the society oiice dear to liim, liis mental anxiety and ])rotracted labors were }nore than his delicate constitatiou and sensitive nature could endure. lie died — a mariyr to the sacred cause he liad so cherished. A sliort time before his death he said, "There is no one who can .'ippreciate my Union sentiments, and the sufterings I ha\e endured for the beloved cause of liberty so well as my friend Dostie," Dr, Dostie was never an oi'ator. Yet he ])0ssessed the elements which constitute true oratory. He had never cultivated those i)Owers, and never acquired that (o;;!- mand of strong and ap})r(>pnate language, which is an essential quality of a popular speaker. l>ut he possessed the fiix\ spirit, the enchanting Avildness, and magnificent irregularity of the true orator's genius, combined with judgment, iinagination, sensibility, taste and expression. KETUnX OF DOSTIi: TO XEW OKLEAX.0. -< 3 Discipline ^vould have made lum an effective, graceful and popular orator. The cneniico of Dostie have jiro- nouneed him a fanatical, reckless and thoughtless agi- tator. Yet his life proves him a deliberate, philoso- phic and thoughtful man — ever sincere, honest and truthful. tSaid lie to a friend, "I have ahvays been in the h;ibic of spending half my nights in reading, studying the works of philosophers, our standard poets, and best Avriters. It is one of the great pleasures of my life to commune in the silent hours of the night vrith there noble minds, who have left us their vrritings to cherish." His patriotism was based upon philosophical principle s and profound reason — not upon lanaticism. The great purpose of his life, expressed in his every act, was to assist in upholding a truly licpublican Government. Oppression, despotism and treason he dared oppose, even at the risk of life and property. Iliii defence of hu- manity and freedom; his lowly birti., liis poverty, and above all, his out-sjwken h.atred to tlie rJjellion made him the object of marked dislike v.ith tlio solid men of Xew Orleans, who like Roselius, llozier and Barker, watched with jealous eye their superiors iu patriotism, humanity and reform, and delighted to style them, " fanatic." Surrounded by bitter enemies, determined to crush the fearless Dostie, wo yet fmd him a power, rising supericv to his enemies. At all the Union meetings, Association;; and Leagues established in the Crescent City, he was a prominent worker in his beloved cause, braA'ing e\ery hatred and malice. In the midst of tlicse hibor;; he often received anonymous notes warning him to pre- i,i 44 LIFE or A. p. DOSTIE. pare for death, filled sometimes with scandal of the lowest order. To these he never paid any attention, f;o entirely absorbed was lie in the great events by which he was surrounded. runLIC SCHOOLS OF XEW OIILEANS. 45 CHAPTER VII. PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NEW OKLEAXS. Before General Butler's arrival in Ncav Orleans, the virus of treason animated all tlic Public Schools of that city. Tlic Board of Education, the Superintendent and Trustees, Avitli l)ut few exceptions, conspired to infuse the deadly poison of treason into the minds of the youth everywhere in their charge, Wm. O. Rodgers was the Superintendent of the Public Schools in New Orleans, when the United States Gov- ernment was treated with contempt by the scholars under his charge. Two months before General Butlers arrival in New Orleans, at a public examination in one of the schools, the black Hag was hung upon the walls Avith the Avords Avorked in Avhite, " V\q. ask no quarters and grant none." A rebel paper in that city thus com- mented upon these emblems : — " Strangely ajipropriatc emblems for our schools — the best in the Confede- racy." Such Avere the institutions of learning under the secession epidemic. Treason had become a poAver Avhich defied the United States GoA'crnment, and the thousands, Avho daily assembled^at the Public Schools, were taught to insultingly flaunt the flag of Secession in the faces of the United States ofticers, Avho Avere in ISTcAV Orleans to protect Republican GoA'crnnient. These 46 LIFE OF A. r. DOSTID. treasonable teachers soon perceived, thr.t their rliip of rebellion must phmgc beneath tlic Avaves '1' tlic contest in which they had so proiidly embarked, and tliat the helm they had attempted to grasp, had ])assed into the hands of one fully capable of subduing defiant traitors. ]5utler quickly discoA'ered the necessity (;f purifying the public scliools from the corru])ti()n of rebellion. Rogers fled before the stern justice of ]>utler into a confederate retreat. The Board of Education, Avliich had favored the " l>lack Hag" in the schools expired, not to be revivified Avhilst loyal men governed Xew Orleans. Union men, among whom Avere ])osli(>, Heath, Ilahn, Heine, Shupert, and Flanders "svero appointed to revolu- tionize the public schools. L. ]>. Carter Avas made the loyal superintendent. Dr. Dostic Avas the animating soul in that reformation, Avliose aA-oAveil Avork Avas to cx- tii-pate treason from those institutioi:s. It Avas a settled plan in Avhich all the loyal Board of li;ducati<^u harmon- ized, "That no symbol of treason should be permitted in the schools under their supervision." In ^Nfarch, 1.S63, the Board of Education adopted the folloAving resolu- tions : " Whereas, It is a rule of action in the education of youth, of universal acceptance that the inculcation of sound moral principle is no less important than intellec- tual culture : and, " Whcrec(s, The present lamentable state of our national affairs has loAA'ered the standard of public morals, and to a certain extent created disregard for those high obligations Avhich teach us to love our coun- try and its beneficent institutions : and, " Whereas, It is the duty of those to Avhom is entrust- ed the education of our youth to counteract the evil tendencies of the times, and to infuse into the minds PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF XEAV ORLEAKS. 47 of tlicir pupils ideas in relation to public aftairs Avhich will be equally consistent -svith true patriotism and sound morality : therefore be it " liesolved^ That the teachers of the public schools be instructed, henceforth, to make the singing of patriotic songs, and the reading of appropriate passages from the addresses of patriotic men, a part of the business of each day, in the several departments of their respective schools." A few days after these resolutions were passed by the Board of Education, an invitation was given to the pub- lic, to assemble at the Madison School (where a few months previous the " black Hag " had been displayed) to Avitness the interesting ceremony of presenting a beati- tiful United States flag to the school. Upon that occasion, hundreds of childish voices greeted their friends with the national air, " Star-Spangled Banner," after vv'hich, seven little girls stepped xipon a platform and presented their flag to their school with the following address : — " AYe dedicate to the Madison School this " Star-Span- gled Banner," the eml)lem of our own dear native land, as a tribute to patriotism. Long, long may it wave over our school dedicated to union, science and libei*ty !" Dr. Dostie, on behalf of the Directors, addressed the school as follows : " Miss "Whitby, Principal ; Ladies, Teachers ; and you, Pupils of Madison School : " The scene witnessed by the friends of thorough and correct education to-day is destined to be long remem- bered. There can be no occasion of deeper interest to the lovers of the human race, its progress in education and advancement in true loyal patriotic sentiments, than now appears in the brilliant and most encouraging spec- tacle you have, by your noble and indefatigable extrdons, 4S LIFE OF A. 1'. DOSTIE. wrought for the hopes of the lllxTty and freedom of our hind. "Here the youths of our city luive gathered for the culture and proper education of their minds and liearts in a correct knowU^lge of the various duties belonging to good and virtuous meml)ers of society. " As "we cast our eyes over this great Republic, be- queathed us by ' /?/>;i' whom envy dared not hate,' and behold the causeless and furious civil war now desolating our once peaceful, happy and glorious land, filling, as it does, the patriot's heart with terrible apprehensions for the future of this most sacred of gifts — self-government — to whom are we to look f(ir hope of salvation, but to you of this rising generation, e, lui- fnrlod from tlio ramparts of our treason-hound empo- rium ; tliat ■will victoriously float over Liherty's Do- minions, Avhen the ' Stars and Bars' Avill be buried in oblivion. " This was the inauguration ceremony of a brilliant series of flag presentations, ■which ended in placing an American flag over every public school in New Orleans. The sight of the National emblem Avaving from the public institutions infuriated its enemies, who in their madness declared, " That their children should not be taught to love the United States Government." Dr. Dostie, the chairman of that committee which had drawn up the resolutions requiring the introduction of national aii's and patriotic sentiments in the schools, 8ays, in his report to the Board of Education, " I have received communications from the principals of some of the schools, informing mo that many of their pupils luive risen in rebellion and refused to sing national airs as requested by their teachers. I am urged to use my influence in quelling this insubordination instigated by rebellious parents. Upon consultation with several members of the Board of Education, and finding that their views coincided with mine — that it was our dut}' to enforce the laws governing the institutions under our charge — I have informed the disobedient that the re- quirements were just, and therefore, irrevocable, and that if they persisted in their rebellion they must be expelled from the schools. Only three hundred of the eight thousand in attendance refused, and were expelled or ■withdrawn from the schools." The followincf tcstimonv relating to the noble labors PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF XEW OKLEAXS. 51 of Dostic in the cause of repiiblican education, is worthy to bo placed among; the historical records of those event- ful times when, in the liands of loyal educators, science, poetry, music, and flowers, coml)inc to make Unionism and the United States flag- popular in the lialls of educa- tion in Xew Orleans. The True Delta ^\\\xo\\^\ a cor- respondent says : " 3Ikssks. Editors : I ask the use of your columns to publish the following Avell deserved and highly flattering testimonial to the zeal and efliciency with Avhich that pre-eminently earnest Union man. Dr. A. P. Dostie, dis- charged his duties while a member of the Board of Visi- tors of the First District Schools. The public generally, in common with the School Board, feel keenly the retire- m.ent of so earnest a votary of true education. They indulge the hope, though, that the work of regenerating the public schools from the moral leprosy of treason, so happily inaugurated by the Doctor during the past year, may be contiimcd until there shall remain no youthful nnnd capable of retaining and receiving so unseemly a taint. * * * * * " BOARD OF VISITORS OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THE FIRST DISTRICT. New Orleans, Sept. 15, 18G3. "At a regular meeting of the Board of Visitors of the First District Public Schools, held on the 14th inst., on motion of Mr. J. A. Noble, seconded by Messrs. Ilahn and Graham, the following resolutions Avere unanimously adopted : " Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be tendered to Dr. A. P. Dostie for his constant and well directed exertions in llie cause of education, Avhile a member of the Board of Visitors during the past year. " Resolved, That the labors of Dr. Dostie have, in the 52 LIFE OF A. r. DOSTIE. opinion of this Board, contributed, more than those of any individual towards restoring tlie public schools to k)yalty and patriotism, and tliat we regret his retirement from active co-operation with ns in our oflicial labors. " Jlesolved, That the Secretary be instructed to for- ward a copy of these resolutions to Dr. A. P. Dostie. " A true copy from the minutes. "F. O. SciiiiODEK, Secretary." Dr. Dostie's successful eftbrts in making treason odious in the public schools, made the enemies of tlie Union in XcAV Orleans rampant in propagating slander against his personal truth and superior excellence. But his patriotic achievements will l)ear exposure to tlie scorn of rebellious spirits, whose tenacious calumnies not only foHowed him through his hxbors in the public schools, but in all the re- forms wherewith his name was honorably associated. The extent of indignity to which Di-. Dostie Avas subject- ed, may be partially inferred from the following acrostic, one of the many low exhibitions of malice put forth to intimidate or prevent his exertions for libei-ty : — " All liail to thee. Dr. ! may'st thou always ]n-ove true, Patriotic and proud of the red Avhite and bhie ; Do all tliat thou canst for the ilag tliat once Avaved O'er the land of the free and the lionie of the brave. Stout hearts fight against it — tliey'll rally around : Tlic stars and ithe stripes they'll liaul to the ground ; In tlie dust they will trail it, and thee tliey will hang, Emancipating thy soul to where e'er it may gang." In the midst of such enemies, the voice of a friend reached the ear of Dostie, breathing a spirit in striking contrast to the foregoing. In the columns of the New Orleans True Delta, appeared the follownig lines, abcau- tilnl acrostical rejoinder to that of Ills enemies: PUBLIC SCIIOOT.S OF NEW OKLEAXS, 53 " Amid the stunted forest trees, Perennial i^rows the stately oak, Defying; all the storm-kin cf's power. Or the fierce lightning's deadly stroke ! So thou, brave man, 'mid traitors' scorn, Traced the white flame of loyalt}' ! In dangers oft, 'mid threats of death. Ever the ' Friend of Liberty ! ' "New Orleans, Sep. 2, 1864. Una." An inquiry into the private seminaries and schools of New Orleans instituted by a Commission ajapointed by Major General Banks, Commander of the Department of the Gulf — of which commission Dr. Dostie Avas an active member — reveals the following then existins: state of things : " In many of the schools in this city, j^ersons are in- structing our youth who avow themselves " rebels " or " rebel sympathizers ! " And many others who show by their evasive manner of answering these questions, that their whole sympathies are Avith those now in armed re- bellion against our Government and shedding the blood of our countrymen ! And further, that these individuals are permitted to organize schools, teach our children and tacitly or oj^enly instill the poison of rebellion and treason into their "young minds ! The thing would seem impossible, but there the record of ficts stands, on their own confession — attesting to the impudent daring of a deed which is only exceeded in its violation of all that is right and honorable by the forbearance and magna- nimity of the Government against which rebels and rebel sympathizers are waging a suicidal war, and under whose flag these teachers are or have been quietly pur- suing their vocation." 54 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. Said Dr. Dostie, in referring to that commission to visit, examine and report as to the character of the private schools of New Orleans — "I knew that iu that work I should meet some of my old personal friends, Avhicli tlie rebellion had made my enemies, and tliat the interview would not be a pleasant one. It was with no spirit of revenge or vindictive feeling that I ap- proached my former friends, but I Avill never shrink from the duty of exposing the work of traitors — not if all my fi-iends become my enemies." Dr. Dostie's unselfish acts often gained him the friendship of those who dif- ferred with him. Many of the most bitter rebels sjjcak kindly of his benevolent acts. When Mayor Monroe was imprisoned in Fort Jackson ; his wife, upon several occasions, requested Dr. Dostie to urge his influence with General Butler in her behalf. As she was left in destitute circumstances, lie went several times to the ofiice of General Butler to ask the favors she required. He also obtained a position in the public school for the daughter of Mayor Monroe. When told that he was rendering assistance to the family of a rebel, he replied, " Must the wife and daiighter sufl:er for the acts of the husband and father ? Bring me the proofs of treason and I Avill expose the perpetrators. 'They have assured me tliat tlicy cherish Union principles, and I have no reason to doubt their word. The charge of treason, said he, 'when it has a just foundation is a fital one, in my estimation, to personal character. In regard to that ' crime of crimes,' I must not act upon suspicion, but upon evidence." THE CHURCHES OF NEW ORLEANS. CHAPTER VIII. THE CHURCHES OF NEW ORLEANS. The Churches of Kew Orleans are a strange part of the history of the rebellion. With the noble exception of the Rev. Wm. Duncan, the prominent clergymen of that city became Juclases — betraying their Saviour, then- Government. The names of Palmer, Leacock and Good- ridge, are written with pens dipped in blood upon the tombstones of thousands of misguided youths, who lis- tened to their eloquence in behalf of rebellion and slavery. The power of a Butler was again felt in New Orleans, when he laid his hands upon the heads of the Reverend traitors, and demanded of them obedience to the law. of the true Church, and the just laws of the Nation. Upon the refusal of the clergy to pray for the President of the United States, their Churches were ordered to be closed, until loyal ministers could officiate in their places. The ecclesiastical institutions of the South were a dangerous power in favor of despotism and rebellion. It was necessary to strike the Church from its foundation by the earthquake advance of re- form. It required men of the force of a Luther or a Cromwell, to blot out the disgraceful crimes which stained their statute books. Slavery had enveloped the 56 LIFE OP A. P. DOSTIE. consciences of its ministers, and treason lay like a dark pall npon their guilty souls. That power in the Churches of New Orleans, that defied the United States Govern- ment, was temporarily overthrown by General Butler. Loyal Christian ministers were invited to fill the pul- ])its of disloyal clergymen — men who would not advo- cate the divinity of slavery, bnt the charities of Chris- tianity. Soon convened loyal congregations to listen to their prayers for the overthrow of Slavery and trea- son, and the preservation of their beloved President and the Congress of the United States. To men like Dostie, who watched with jealous eye every evil influ- ence that opposed civil and religious liberty, the new titrn in Church affairs, was a source of rejoicing. Every Sal?l>ath morning he might be seen entering the Epis- copal Church, formerly occupied by Dr. Goodridge, to worship with the i-everence of a man of faith. His deep toned voice, which had a peculiar charm to his friends, upon these solemn occasions could be distinctly heard repeating that service to which he became deeply at- tached. Said he, " I always pray in faith for President Lincoln, for I feel in my inmost soul that the God of Nations will siistain the noble acts of our Chief Magis- trate." From that time until his death. Dr. Dostie was a constant worshipper in Church. His religious views partook of his general character. They were broad and liberal, and not confined to any narrow creed. In a con- versation with a friend, he remarked, " I believe that Christ died for all. I trust in God — the great liuler of Events has placed before us his laws. If we are guided by them, they will lead us to happiness here and here- after. That is my creed and my religion." THE CHURCHES OF NEAV ORLEAXS. 57 Upon the organization of a loyal congregation in Christ's Church, Dr. Dostic was chosen one of the war- dens. Christ's Church ! What a throng of associations gious home of the army and navy of the Gulf Department, cluster around that name ! Christ's Cluu-ch was the reli- There might be seen upon a Sabbath morning, the com- manding General and his Staff; the officers of every grade of both the army and the navy ; soldiers and sailor boys. Union citizens and loyal visitors from all parts of the country assembled in that sacred spot. What prayers have been offered by clergy and laymen for the preservation of the Union, and what heartfelt petitions have ascended to the God of Nations in behalf of Presi- dent Lincoln and the Congress of the United States ! That emblem of religious liberty — the United States flag — enveloped the altar dedicated to Freedom. That flag draped in mourning symbols, was wrapped around the biers of the patriots who fell by the hands of the enemies of their Government, It enclosed in its folds the pulseless form of the youtliful De Kay, the gallant Cummings, the brave Dvvight, and numbers of hon- ored dead, \A\o died for the Union and Liberty. How many weeping parents, wives, brothers and sisters, Vv^ould have been comforted, could they have witnessed the tribute of respect, paid to their departed ones at Christ's Church, and beheld with what tenderness and sympathy, that friend of the loyal soldier, Dostio, and his brother officers in the Church looked upon the I'C- mains of those who fell in the cause of republican Liberty. 58 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIF. CHAPTER IX. DR. DOSTIe's activity IX THE UNION CAUSE. Dr. Dostie was a man of iron nerve and unceasing ac- tivity. Possessed of a sti-ong- constitution, a powerful will and an active brain, lie could endure more physical- ly and mentally than most men. It was not an uncom- mon thing for liim to look alter the interests of a dozen schools per day ; work a few liours at his profession, re- ceive not less than fifty calls ; attend two or three Union meetings, and then spend half the night in reading and writing. Not a Union Churcli or Sabbath School (white or col- ored), existed in the city in which he did not take a deep interest. Not an association or loyal gathering assem- bled that bore not witness to his exertions in the cause for which loyal men were battling. In many of these reforms, Dr. Dostie was the i^rime mover. Sensitive to the opinion of his associates ; delighting in the approba- tion of his friends, and desiring the respect even of his enemies, no earthly jiower could induce him to swerve from what ho considered duty. AVhere he could resist treason he never wavered. Said he, " It is the duty of loyal men who love their flag and their Government, to use every exertion to put doAvn the signs of disloyalty." Wherever he obseiwcd an act or symbol of treason, it DK. DOSTIE'S activity IX THE UXIOX CAUSE, 59 culled clown upon the offender his rebuke and bitter in- dignation. Among- the " fanatical acts " of Dr. Dostie that evoked the thundering anathemas of the rebel multitude was his noted performance at the Varieties Theater. A few de- termined Unionists, among whom were Judge Durell, E. Heath, and :L.',B.JLynch, headed by Dostie, resolved that the flag of the Union should flout where it had been torn down by its enemies. The Varieties Theater had become somewhat notorious for displaying rebel emblems. It was decided by Dostie and his associates to make a de- monstration of loyalty in that place to test the Union sentiment. With a chosen band, Dr. Dostie entered tlic Theater and displayed the " Star-Spangled Banner," re- questing the orchestra to play a national air. Instantly the United States flag was displayed from all parts of the house, and the air of the " Star-Spangled Banner " demanded. Tliis created a great excitement. The mana- ger of the Theater appeared upon the stage and demand- ed an explanation of the demonstration. Dr. Dostie, standing by the flag he had unfurled, replied, " New Orleans is now a Union city. The audience have deter- mined to hear the national airs ; none but secession airs have been heard here during the season, and the present company intend to liear " Hail Columbia " before the performance proceeds." To this the manager replied, " That he had permission from the military authorities, and license from the city to conduct the Theater, and had received strict orders from those authorities to allow nothing of a political character." " 'Tis fldse," arose from all parts of the house. The audience continued to dc. maud the playing of the national air:'., some, however, GO LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. declaring that the airs woukl be in opposition to tlie orders of Mayor Miller. At this juncture, Major Foster of the r28th New York Volunteers, stepped ui)on the stage, and commanded silence, saying, " he would take the responsihility of ordering the orchestra to strike up " Hail Columhia." The order was reluctantly obeyed, and the old-time air was greeted with many cheers. General Boweu immediately issued an order of which the annexed is a copy : " Office of Pkovost Martial, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, April 22, 1SG3. " Mr, Baker, Manager of Varieties Theater : " It is reported to me that you have declined to cause the national airs to be played at your Theater at the re- quest of the audience, for the reason that you have been forbidden by the jNIayor of the city. No such order can l)e recognized or held valid in the presence of the United States army. You will, therefore, cause the national airs, " Hail Columbia," " Star-Spangled Banner " and " Yankee Doodle," to be played before the audience leaves your Theater this evening. James Bowen, Brig, Gen., P. M. G." It was from a few similar episodes in the life of Dostie that he acquired the name of " fanatic," " agitator," and " inovator." Yet he reverenced just law, order, and peace. "My principles were never law-defying, but I must oppose treason in all its forms," he replied when questioned as to his course in opposing the emblems of secessioiL Tliose acts Avill bear scmitiny, for they did not often spring from sudden imjmlse, but from a settled purpose to attack injustice and disloyalty wherever found, and success generally attended liis movements. dostie's political views. 61 CHAPTER X. dostie's political views. Dostie thus defines his political status : " I have al- ways been a Jacksoniau Democrat. When the great question came before the American people Avhether Slavery or Freedom should triumph in our nation, the Democratic party favored SlaAcry, and I trusted to the llepublican party to Save the country. Abraham Lin- coln was the choice of that party for President of the United States. It had analyzed his character ; had found him a friend of the Avorking classes ; an enemy to every form of Slavery — an honest man with qualifications Avorthy the ruler of a Republican people." In a politi- cal speech, he said, " From the moment I decided to sup- i:)ort the noble Lincoln, I liaA'C Awatched Avith deep inter- terest his onward moA'ements in the cause of Union, liberty and humanity. If he continues faithful to the principles by Avliich he guides the nation, our hopes Avill be more than realized." Dostie Avas never knoAvn to A'ote for any man who op- posed the cause of President Lincoln. So strong Avas his faith in the great Emancipator, no argument could convince him that any other Avas so capable of securing the liberties of an oppressed race as Abraham Lincoln. In an address, he says, "I belicA^e Lincoln was chosen l)y 62 LIFK OF A, P. DOSTIK. the Divine Ruler of Ciovernment:-, for llie purpose of liberating foui* millions of human l)eings from the tyranny of Soutliern despots." Among the lirst to Aveleonie General IJutler to Xew Orleans, was Michael Hahn. lie had eoinhatted seces- sion ; had puhlicly announced his devotion to the X'nion until it became dangerous to give expression to his sen- timents. Not willing to suifer martyrdom, he remained silent, patiently waiting the time when he could boldly proclaim his true sentiments. He had been a Douglass Democrat, but wlien he saw in President Lincoln, the preserver of the Union, lie avowed his determination, publicly, " to stand by him as long as he stood fiiithfully by the Union." It was that avowal that first attracted the loyal lieart of Dostie towards Ilahn. It was the tie that united them until separated by death. A few days after publicly proclaiming his determination to stand by Lincoln, Ilahn was elected to Congress from Louisiana. Among the crowd who assembled upon the levee to Avit- uess the departure for AVashington of the newly elected congressmen, Flanders and Ilahn, was Dr. Dostie. As tho steamer left the landing he exclaimed, " Those men will stand by our good President and the true interests of Louisiana." Upon the return of Ilahn from Wash- ington, in an address before the people pf NeAV Orleans, he said, " If any man Avishes to hnpw my political posi- tion, I will inlbi-m hini that I am ready to stand or fall npon the same platform with Abraham Lincoln. I have had opportunities of studying the moral and intellectual character of pur present beloved Magistrate, and in my opinion a better man cpuld not have been elected Presi- dent of the. United States. The preservation of tho BOSTIE's rOLITI(AL Xtl'lW^i. C3 ITiilou is tlie o-rcnt desire of liis heart. When I first took my seat in Congress I thouglit it my duty to seelv an in- terview with Mr. Lincohi, and state to him that I might cast votes tliat Avonld displease liim.*The President toolc me -by the hand and said, " Let tlie perpetuity of tlie Union be the prominent object of your official conduct, and you "will not displease me." Says Ilerndon, (tlie law partner of Lincoln), " Abra- ham Lincoln possessed originality of thought in an emi- nent degree. He was, liowever, cautious, cool, concen- trated, with continuity of reflection, was patient and enduring. These are some of the grounds of his won- derful success. He was most emphatically a remorseless analyzer of facts, things anl principles. AVhen all these processes had been well and thoroughly gone through, he could form an opinion and express it, but no sooner. The mind of Lincoln Avas slow, angular and ponderous rather than quick and finely discriminating," When the good Lincoln did discern that the Union could no longer exist with the curse of slavery gnawing at its vitals, he struck the blow, and true Union loving men, such as Dostie, Lovejoy and Hahn, gloried in the salvation of their country. Dostie, who had ever sympathized with such noble spirits as Clarkson, Wilberforce, Phillips and Garrison, could never for a moment stifle the sentiment that Slavery was the most atrocious of crimes. In the follow- ing address, delivered January 2d, 1864, in City Hall— the same spot where in 1860-61, sj^eeches were made to secession crowds — after a few introductory remarks by Hon. Michael Hahn, and before an immense concourse of 64 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. people, Dr. Dostie thus expressed himself upon the na- tional situation : 3fr. Preside fit, Ladies and Gentlemen : "We took our place among the nations of the earth in 1789. We wei-e then a homogeneous, 'happy people. Our heroic struggle for independence was fought and achieved by the people of the colonies, cemented in a lierpetual union. No single State could have thrown off the shackles of British tyranny. It was only by the fraternal bonds of union that our brave republican fathers freed themselves from monarchical despotism. Our recognition by the great powers of Europe, was as one nation and homogeneous people. The immortal Declaration reads : " United colonies," declaring them- selves free and independent ; and by the Constitution of the Confederation, the Continental Congress controlled and guided us to the haven of freedom and glorious nationality, and we have grown and prospered with a rapidity unequaled by any nation in the history of the world. The glorious Constitution that has enabled us thus to flourish, was adopted by the people, and not by State governments. Yes, it was by the people, in their individual and collective character, mc were made one and perpetual. It was the people who, in ^ their rela- tion to States, yielded the power to levy taxes and im- pose duties, to regulate commerce, to make naturaliza- tion laws, to coin money, to regulate post-offices and post-roads, to define and punish piracies, to declare war, to provide an army and navy, to enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation, to issue letters of marque and reprisal, to emit bills of credit, to keep troops or ships of war in times of peace, and to enter into any agree- DOSTIE'S POLITICAL VIEWS, G5 mciit 01- compact, either with each other or witli a foreign power. They placed all controversy that might arise betAvecn the States or individuals in the liands of the National Judiciary. After these concessions there remained no semblance of sovereigntj^, but simply the riglit of independent self-government in local or domes- tic nffiiirs. Sovereignty the States never achieved. The people won their independence by their wisdom, their energies and their valor, after seven long years of strug- gle against British power and aggression. The Declara- tion of Independence sets forth the reasons and purposes of that revolution that achieved and established the freedom of our country. Not once does it mention the States, but it does mention the people in their united and national character. ' State Sovereignty,' ' State Su- premacy,' ' State Rights,' and the cursed system of slavery, were ignored and repudiated by the consum- mate wisdom and goodness of the founders -of this na- tion ; and the latter by the enlightened voice of the world, as the crime of crimes against humanity. " Permit me to ask you to listen to the voice of sages. Christians, patriots, statesmen, philosophers and philan- thropists of this and other nations, concerning this hell- begotten wrong and outrage. Washington said it was his first wish to free America of the curse. Jefferson, the Apostle of Liberty, said he trembled for his country, and declared it was written in the Book of Fate, that the people should be free. Patrick Henry detested slavery with all the earnestness of his nature, and believed tlic time was not far distant when the lamentable evil would be abolished. Madison denied the right of property in man, and contended that the republican principle wa:; CG LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. antagonistic to Inunnn bondag-c. Monroe considered slavery as preying u[)(>n the very vitals of the Union. John liandolph detested the man who defended slavery. Thomas Randolph dejirecated the workings of the evil. Tiiomas Jefferson Ilandolj)li classes the 'institution' among the abominations and enormities of savage tribes, and as tending to decrease tree })opulations. Peyton Randolph lamented its existence. Edward Randolph, as member of the Convention that framed the Constitution of our nation, moved to strike out " servitude," and in- sert " service," because the former was thought to ex- press the condition of slaves, and the latter the obliga- tion of free persons, Henry Clay would never, never, never, by word or thought, by mind or will, aid in sub- jecting free territory to the everlasting curse of human bondage. The great Benton, in view of the peace and reputation of the white people — the peace of the land — the world's last hope for a free government on the earth, and because it was a wrong, condemned its extension and existence. Colonel Mason contended slavery dis- couraged the arts and manufactures, made labor disre- putable, prevented inmiigration of whites, who enrich and strengthen a country, produced pernicious etfects on manners, made the master a petty tyrant, and invited calamities to the nation. Governor McDowell says this people was born to be free, and their enslavement is in violation of the law of Deity. Judge Iredell, of North Carolina, would rejoice when the entire abolition of sla- very took ])lace. AVilliam Pinckney, of Maryland, con- sidered it dishonorable and iniquitous. Thomas Marshall, of A'irginia, said it was ruinous to the whites. Boiling said the time Avould come when this degraded and op- dostie's political views. G7 pressed people would free themselves from tlieir thral- dom. Chandler calls it a cancer, and said it would produce commotion and bloody strife. Summers said the evils could not be enumerated. Preston said the slaves were men, and entitled to human rights, liirncj^ of Kentucky, said the slaveholder had not one atom of right to his slave, and that all peoples rejoice when they hear the oppressed are set free. McLane, of Delaware, said, I am an enemy of slavery. Luther Martin, of Mary- land, said slavery is inconsistent with the genius of re- publicanism. An abolition society was formed in Virginia in 1791, in which slavery was denounced as not only an odious degradation, biit an outrageous violation of one of the most essential rights of human nature, and utterly repugnant to the principles of the Gospel, and argued that all men are by nature equally free and independent. The heroic Marion said it reduced society to two classes — the rich and the very poor. Oglethorpe, the fomider of Georgia, called it a horrid crnne. Franklin called slavery an atrocious debasement of human nature. Hamilton said all men were, by nature, entitled to equal privileges. John Jay called it repugnant to every principle of justice and equity, William Jay contended the time had ar- rived when it was necessary to destroy slavery to suac our own liberty. John Quincy Adams — tlie old man eloquent — -said it perverted human reason and tainted the A'cry sources of moral principle. Webster regarded it as a great moral and political evil, sustained by might against right, and in violation of the spirit of religion, justice and humanity. Noah Webster claimed freedom as the sacred right of every man. De Witt Clinton says the despotisms and slavery of the world would long 68 I.IFK OF A. P. DOSTIK. since liave vanished, if the natural equality of mankind had l)een understood and practiced. General Joscjki AVarreu says personal freedom is tlie natural right oi every man. England, through her Mansfields, calls it odious ; her Locke, so vile that a gentleman cannot plead for it ; her Pitt, that it should not be permitted for a single hour ; her Fox compares it to robbery and murder; her Shakspeare said that heaven will one day free us from this slavery ; her Cowpers and Miltons have, in immortal verse, execrated it; her Doctor Johnson says no man is, by nature, the jiroperty of another; her Doctor Price says, if yo\i can enslave another, he can enslave you ; her Blackstone tells us we must transgress unjust liuman laws, and obey the natural and divine ; and her Coke, Hampden, "Wilberforce, and many of her other learned and good men, endorsed this doctrine. Ireland's Burke said it ought not to be suffered to exist ; her Curran de- manded universal emancipation ; her great O'Connell, speaking to his countrymen, said he would not recognize them, if they countenanced the horrors of American sla- very. Father MathcAV said slavery is a sin against (rod and man, and called loudly on all true Irishmen to help to move on the Car of Freedom. Scotland's voice is as potent in condemnation of this stu23endous crime. Her Beattie said it is opposed to virtue and industry, and should be viewed with horror; her Miller said every individual, whatever liis country or complexion, is enti- tled to freedom. France, speaking through her La Fayette, the friend of Washington and Liberty, tells the world he would not have drawn his sword in the cause of America, if he could have conceived that thereby he was foundinec a land of slaverv : his o-randson said the DOSTIE's rOLITlOAL VIEWS. 69 abolition of slavery commanded his entire sympathy. Montcsqnieu said the earth shrank in barrenness from the contaminating sweat of a slave. Louis X. said the Christian religion and nature herself cried out against the state of slavery, and demanded the liberty of all men. Rousseau said slavery and right contradicted and excluded each other. Brissot viewed it as a degrada- tion of human nature. Schiller, Grotius, Goethe, Luther, Humboldt, and thousands of freedom loving Germans, haA'e spoken deeply in condemnation of this monster iniquity. This noble people were the earliest to de- nounce the sin, and went so far as to declare the slave justifiable in the murder of his master who refused to let him go free. The gr''atest of Alexanders has de- clared, by a solemn ukase, the universal enfranchisement of his people, and sixty millions of human beings are thereby made freemen, to love God and the ways of justice and virtue. Cicero tells us all men are born free, and that law cannot make wrong right. Socrates calls slavery a system of outrage and robbeiy. Plato, that it is a system of the most complete injustice. The great Cyrus said that to fight, in order not to be made a slave, is noble. The churches of the world hold this sin as an abomination iinto the Lord. The true interpreta- tion of the Bible jiroclaims liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof, and commands us to let the oppressed go free, to call no man master, neither to be called masters. Slavery is the black and loathsome sin that Avill not be forgiven in this world, nor the world to come. Thus the intelligent and great men of all nations denounce this foul system. The world — our own nation — all the States except atrocious South VO LIFE OF A. r. DOSTIE. Carolina and dcsjonerate Georgia, deprecated and shnd- dered at this evil in the land. Through the pernicious influence of these States the systera ^vas recognized as a State Ilight, in ])ennitting tlie importation of human beings for enslavement for tAventy years, wlien the im- pcn'tation was branded and punished as piracy. " Soon after the adoption of the Constitution, all the Northern States abolished and repudiated slavery, as a violation of human rights. The blighting influence of this curse caused the great flow of immigration to settle in the Northern States, hence followed the pre- ponderance of population, Avealtli and power, and the vast advantages in all the avenues of happiness they now enjoy. Listen to facts to prove ' the earth is made to shrink in barrenness' from the malign influences of slavery. " See the poverty, ignorance and desolation of the shiA'c lands in contrast to great Freedom's onward and upward course. In 1790, the population of Virginia was double that of the State of Ncav York. In 1850, that of New York was twice as great as that of Virginia. In 1791, the expoi-ts of Nevr York amounted to about equal those of Virginia. Sixty years after. New York surpasses Virginia in her exports more than eighty mil- lions. In 1790, the imports of New York and Virginia were about equal. Sixty years after New York sur- passes Virginia more than one hundred million dollars. In 1850, the products, manufactures, mechanics and arts in New York amounted to more than one billion dollars more than those of Virginia. In the same year, the value of real and ])ersonal property in Virginia (includ- ing the negroes) is nearly one billion dollars less than DOSTIE S POLITICAL VIKAVS. i i that of XoAV York, In 1856, the veal and personal estate assessed in the city of New York was wortli more than the whole State of Virginia. The value of the farms, farming ntensils, mechanical and agricultural products in New York exceed tliose in Virginia in the same ratio. In 1850, the hay crop in the lit'c States amounted t(i more than four times the value of the cotton, tobacco and sugar crops of the fifteen slave States. The total value of the property of the free States is more than three times that of the slave States. The bushel products, the pound-measure products, the gallon and the mining pro- ducts of the Northern States are similarly ahead of the same products of the South, notwithstanding the super- ior advantages of the South in soil, climate, rivers, har- bors, minerals, forests, and 245,000 more square miles of territory. In 1850 there were only eighteen hundred adult persons in Massachusetts who could not read and write. In the same year eighty thousand of the Avhite adult inhabitants of North Carolina could neither read or write. The comparative intelligence in these States is presented to illustrate the ignorance, poverty and imbecility pervading the land of slavery in contrast with the land of freedom, where intelligence, Avealth, pros- jDcrity, progress and happiness are everywhere visible. "These statistical facts prove that when this nation commenced its existence, the South had the advantage of the North. Why has the South degenerated, and why is she to-day so far behind the North in all that re- lates to intelligent, civilized nations ? In her commercial and business relations, why is she so far surj^assed by the Northern States ! Because the Goddess, Freedom, is working, speaking and running against the Demon, Sla- 72 LIFE OF A. r. POSTIE. very. This infamous monster is doomed to Avork out it« own destruction. In aiming its deadly fangs at the na- tion's vitals, it has inflicted its own death wounds. Thanks to liberty, to republicanism, and the beneficent institutions transmitted to us by illustrious sires, it will thus ignominiously die, and pass from the face of the earth forever. "We can but see that the ' institution ' of slavery and the principles upon Avhich our goverment is founded are antagonistic. Its constitution and laws arc in direct violation of the spirit Avhich our noble, self-sa- crificing forefathers inculcated, which breathed only the as])iration of liberty and happiness to all men. We, as a State in this republican government, have departed from the j)rinciples and teachings of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, in declaring, by our con- stitution and laws, that all men are not created equal, and are not entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This atrocious crime of slavery assails the life of our State and nation — sows the seeds of discord and disunion, by destroying the principles of humanity, justice and good will tOAvard men, l)y establishing this infamous curse, which is built upon the narrow grounds of pecuniary interest and sordid gain, embracing, in its constitution and code of laws, fraud, rapine, cruelty and bloodshed. Slavery is inconsistent with our dearest rights as a State. The Black Code of this State is a damning disgrace to our State records, and an outrage and robbery upon her citizens, and merits the contempt and detestation of all men. We ask and demand that this dead weight of human Avrong be Aviped from the escutcheon of our State, and that these laws and the ar- istocratic State constitution be destroyed, to give place DOSTIe's rOLITICAL VIEWS. 73 to a free and truly democratic constitution and laws, based upon the inherent and fundamental principles of freedom and justice to all men. " To sliow to you, friends of freedom, how the South has degenerated and relaj^sed to Egyptian barbarism, I Avill present a synoptical view of the pertinently named Black Code of Louisiana^ and I am confident you Avill acknowledge it only worthy a Slaveocracy, for there is no other class on God's earth so brutalized and stupid in depravity and wickedness as to defend the diabolical rules and principles it inculcates. Well, thus saith the law that Mr. Davis and his compeers would restore and establish to Louisiana and the world, if they could com- mand the power to do so. But, thank God, they will not be permitted to build a nation upon any such iniqui- tous 'corner-stone.' Any slave killing or attempting to kill, whether maliciously, or in defence of his family or self, shall be hung. If a slave strikes his master, or mis- tress, or their children, or any white overseer, he shall be hung, or be imprisoned at hard labor for ten years. If a slave shoot or stab any person Avith intent to kill, he shall be hung. If any slave or free person of color shall attempt to poison any person he shall be hung. Any slave guilty of encouraging an insurrection shall be hung. Any slave or free person of color who shall attempt to burn any building or outhouse shall be hung. Any slave who shall be guilty for the third offence of striking a white person shall be hung, xinless the bloAV Avas given in defence of his master, some member of his family, or person having charge of him, Avhen the slave shall be excused. Any slave forcibly taking goods or money from any person shall be hung, or as the court shall 74 LIFE OF A. r. DOSTIE. fidjudgc. Any slave who sluiU break into a place and attempt to steal, or commit any other crime, sliall be hung. Any person cruelly treating a slave shall not be fined to exceed two hundred dollars. Any person who shall remove any iron chain or collar liistened to a slave may be imprisoned for six months. If any person shall, by words or action, advise any slave to insurrection, he shall suffer death or imprison- ment. Whosoever shall attempt to produce discontent among the free colored or slave ])opulation, shall be im- prisoned at hard labor, or suffer death. Any ])ersoii from the bar, the bench, the stage, the pulpit, or any other place^ who shall be guilty of discourses or signs tending to })roduce discontent among the free colored or slave population, or who shall bring into this State any paper, pamphlet or book having such tendency, may be imprisoned twenty-one years, or sufter death. Slaves accused of capital crimes shall be tried by two Justices of the l*eace and ten owners of slaves. Any crime not capital shall be tried by a Justice of the Peace and four owners of slaves. One Justice and nine jurors shall constitute a quorum for the trial of slaves accused of capital offences. If a slave is convicted, the said Justice of the Peace shall sign the sentence. If the court disagree and do not convict, it shall have the power to inflict corporal punishment according to its pleasure. All slaAes sentenced to death or ])erpetual imprisonment, shall be paid for out o^ the public tre((.v(ry. A slave may be forced to testify against his fellow-slave, but he is not permitted to testify against a Avhite man. Any slave accused of a capital crime in this parish shall be tried by the Judge of the First District Court and dostie's political Yimvs. 15 six slaveholding jurors. No slave can leave the planta- tion without a written permission ; and any person giv- ing permission without authority shall be lined fifty dollars. Any person who shall mutilate a slave and render him incapable of work, shall be fined fifty dollars, and pay the master two dollars per day for every day lost ; and if the slave be forever made unable to work, then the offender shall pay his value, or suffer one year's imprisonment. Any person, having been a slave, return- ing to this State without permission, sliall be forced back to slavery. Any free person of color Avho may be ordered to leave the State and does not, may be im- prisoned at hard labor for five years. Free persons of color are not allowed to land in the State without a legal permit. A master of a vessel must give a bond for the non-landing of free persons of color on board his vessel. " This is the law of the chivalrous apostles of treason and rebellion ; the rope, the stocks, the clog, the ball- chain, the gag, the vice, the " nigger dogs," are the humanizing aids for their enforcement, and conspicu- ously portray the religion, humanity and civilization of the slaveocracy of the barren and ruined land under their horrid and diabolical sway. Thank God, the Moses of this people has come, and is uoav bravely leading the sons of Africa from the land of bondage to the glorious heritage of freedom and human rights. Yes, the crisis which involves the question whether this accursed viper shall be suffered longer to gnaw at our national vitals, to destroy and overthrow our constitutional liberty and laws, or whether the cause of the stupendous afllictioii now upon this j^romised land of liberty shall be a-^ui. hilated. 76 LIFE OP A, P, DOSTIE. " There can be but one voice from the just, the good and tlie liumane, and that voice is — perish slavery, per- isli its uphohlers, perisli every power and obstacle to the disenthralment and liberty of the o))pressed, whatever be his complexion or his condition. Hope beameth bright for the tiiumphant realization of freedom's jubi- lee. The battles fought, the proclamations from that best and greatest man, Abraham Lincoln — the man of liberty, of humanity, the people's man — the territory conquered, brothers reclaimed, those freed, show a fu- ture brighter and more glorious than the most gen- erous ever conceived a hope for. How much more tenaciously should we cling to our dear country, now that she has been imperiled and made to weep tears of blood because of the unnumbered dead, the waste and desolation of her once fruitful fields and happy and con- tented culturers. Our forelathers Avere the instruments that have marked and explored the destiny of this land. The disciples of Calhoun have striven, and are still striv- ing to pervert and destroy their lofty aspirations, and these oligarchs find sympathizers in the cold and wither- ing aristocracy of the North ; but the people have spokeji in their strength and declared that these craven- hearted and weak-kneed traitors shall not succeed, but with their braver friends, fighting for their treason, shall go down in ignominy together. When treason and re- bellion shall be crushed, and the great people, including us, Louisianians, shall realize nature's just law, that slavery is no longer to blight and curse the civilization, morality and religion of the nation, Avhen man will be acknowledged ' for a" that ; ' that color and difl:erence in complexion may still be ' endowed with power to dostik's political views. V7 discover, with sense to love, and with imagination to expand towards their limitless perfection the attributes of Him whose finger the heavens are the liandiwork," then the blessings of Liberty, life and the pursuit of happuiess, equality and all the other great human rights of civil, political and religious self-government will fol- low, to make glad the philanthropic heart, and bring happiness, prosperity and fraternity to unborn millions, who will rise up to revere and treasure our sacred be- queathment. Then that flag, acknowledged by every people, the emblem of all that is good, great and glo- rious, will (lance over the oblivious graves of the parri- cides who trailed it in the dust of Fort Sumter ; and when the names of the Arnolds of this struggle will only be sounded with execration and contempt. Then the people will feel and universally exclaim — ******* " Who would sever Freedom's shrine ? Who would draw the inviduous line? Though by birth one spot be mine, Dear is all the rest. Dear to me the South's ftiir land ! Dear the central mountain band ! Dear New England's rocky strand ! Dear the prairied West ! By our altars, pure and free ! By the laws doep-rooted tree ! By the Past's dread memory ! By our Washington ! By our common kindred tongue ! By our hopes, bright, buoyant, young, By the tie of country strong ! We will still be one ! *J8 LIFE OF A. r. DOSTIE. Father's, have ye hied in vain ? Ages, shall ye droop again? Maker, shall we rashly stain Blessings sent by Thee ? No ! receive our solemn vow. While before thy throne Ave bow, Ever to maintain, as now, 'Union, Liberty!'" Said Dr. Dostie, " I always cherished liberty, but I was led step by step, in the progressive movement of events, to perceive and acknowledge the truth that the Republic could no longer exist and Avithhold the sacred right of four millions of human beings. Events have proved the direct antagonism between Slavery and Re- publicanism, and that the one or the other must perish." Every event that unfolded the great plan of American freedom was embraced by him with enthusiastic joy. The arming of the negroes to fight against slavery and rebellion, was to him a source of rejoicing. The news of the fall of Port Hudson was received by the loyal people of New Orleans with great demonstrations of de- light. The event Avas celebrated by thousands, both Avhite and black, who assembled upon Canal Street around the statue of Henry Clay, to listen to addresses from the orators chosen for the occasion. Dr. Dostie being one of the speakers, addressed the audience as fol- lows : "On the 4th of July, lllQ, our noble sires fought a great moral battle, and achieved a A'ictory, proclaiming to the world the great truth, that all men are created equal, and are from God entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Under the influence of these in- DOSTIi: S POLITICAL VIEWS. . TO estimable blessings this nation lias grown, prospered and flourished to rank with the first iu the Avorld's history. " In ISGO, traitors laid the eorner-stone of slavery, and for- more than two years strnggled to erect a ' Bastile ' on the ruins of liberty. But the men of the West, who had sworn with their swords to cut their way to the Gulf, met the enemy of man and free institutions at Visksburg, the Gibraltar of their power, on the eighty- seventh anniversary of Freedom's Day, and achieved a victory that has broken the back-bone of the monster rebellion. On the 8tli of January, 1815, the iron-nerved Champion of Freedom — the immortal author of the words, ' the Union must and shall be preserved,' met the lion power of Great Britain on the i:)lains of Chalmette, and drove the ruthless invader back, and taught him a lesson that he has never forgotten ; showing to the world that freemen are mighty and cannot be bound by the power of despotism. " Forty-eight years and six months thereafter the un- daunted and heroic Banks fought a battle and Avon a victory vaster in its consequences than folloAved the bril- liant achievement of the democratic Jackson. General Banks conquered the second stronghold of the rebellion, and now we are rejoicing that commerce will again flow uninterruptedly upon the bosom of the great Father of Waters, from its source to the Gulf. Let us, my felloAV- citizens, devoutly thank the Great Disposer of all Good for these manifold blessings, and let us in all future prove ourselves freemen indeed, and firmly serve and up- hold the flag of our fathers and make it what they designed, the emblem of liberty to all. "Let us hold in hallowed remembrance the times that so LIFE OJ-^ A. P. DOSTIE. tried men's souls, the souls of our fathers, and solemnly promise that treason and rebellion sliall never eradieate llie laws of justice, fraternity and liberty, that freedom of speech shall not be suppressed, nor rights molested, but that all may glory in being free and equal sons of America. " Sons of Africa, I am rejoiced to see you here in such vast numbers. In common with all mankind you love liberty. History accords you high soldierly qualities. Against the armies of the old world you have fought Avitli a heroisni unsurpassed by the bravest. In the struggle of American independence you are remembered Avith kindness and gratitude. In the darkest hour of that contest of " Liberty or death," you nobly and promptly came forward to help to turn the tide that eventuated in liberty and freedom to the land. In the war of 1812 you fought shoulder to shoulder with tlie white man in driving the British invader from our soil, and in this stupendous struggle to save Liberty, your daring exploits and desperate valor in South Carolina, before Port Hudson, and wherever else you have been let loose against the traitors, you have shown yourselves worthy sons of freedom ; and, thank God, the precious boon is near you. Lose no time in coming to it. Urge, urge your brave brethren to enroll themselves in the Union army^ that before another year rolls by, half a million of your people will join the white man in break- ing down the rebellion and raise upon every foothold of treason the flag of Union and Liberty — and then one universal shout will go up to Heaven, proclaiming " Liberty to all." ' CHANGES OF MILITAKY COMMANDEES. 81 CHAPTER XL CHANGES OF MILITARY COMMANDERS IN NEW ORLEANS. In December, 1862, General Bntler left New Orleans, and General Banks assnmed command of the Gulf de- partment. One fact was ever apparent in relation to New Orleans — " that while President Lincoln lived, and the United States army and navy held possession of that strono-hold of treason. Unionism was a power, before Avhich the rebel masses trembled. The boldness and de- cision evinced by General Bntler in his control of that city during the rebellion, marks him in future history the hero of the Gulf Department." In revolutionary times decisive action is necessary to success. It was bold decision that subdued slavery, se- cession and rebellion. The decisive action of thousands of brave men who dared to plunge the moral and physi- cal weapons of death into the heart of rebellion — saved our nation in the dark days of revolution. The Emanci- pation Proclamation and the Constitutional Amendment which forever abolished slavery in the United States, caused some strange developments in Southern politics. In New Orleans the agitations caused by those humane acts divided the political elements into numerous coali- tions. There was the bold radical party that denounced 82 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIK everything opposed to the reforms of the age. Among the most prominent of tliat organization, were Dos- tie, Waples, Flanders, Ilalin, Heath, Graham, Gold- man, Durell, Lynch, Hire, Howell, Heistend and Dr.- rant. Then there was a class composed of men of the status of Roselius, Rozier, Fellows, Barkei*, Kennedy, Burk, men of conservative ideas, who had combatted the advance of reform, and attempted by every means in tlieir power to pi-eserve the flickering life of their be- loved institution. Slavery. A third party consisted ot the strong advocates of the rebellion. Their names were Legion. They ke])t themselves not openly defiant, but ever on the alert, watching with sleepless eye the movements of the other parties. The dominant party Avere the radicals, whoso political creed was based upon three prominent objects of Lin- coln's Administration, viz. — the preservation of the Union ; the abolition of Slavery, and the crushing of the great Kebellion. Conspiracies, however, external and internal caiased dissention in the radical Republican party of Louisiana. The loyal portion of the State began to agitate the question of a Free-State Government. At a Union meeting in New Orleans, March 0th, 1863, Thomas J. Durant said : " I have something practical to bring before the people. It is now ten months since the federal forces came to Louisiana, and no efibrt has been made to establish a State Government. The ])ro- position I would make is, that this Association, as the only representative of the A'iews of Union men of New Orleans, take steps towards the formation of such a Government. The city contains more than one-half CHANGES OF MILITARY COMMAXDEKS. 83 the voting popiilation of the State, and as hiyal citizens arc entitled to a government of their own choice, that portion of the country in the hands of the rebels con- taining hut a minority of the white population. He sub- mitted this resolution to the Association : Resolved, " That the President of this meeting ap- point a committee of three to prepare a plan for calling a convention of tlie people of Louisiana to be submitted to this meeting on Saturday evening next." Said lie : " If ten loyal men can be found in each parish to send a representative, they Avill be sufficient to save their parishes." Durant's resolution was unanimously adopted by the Association. Among those who voted for the resolution were Dostie, Graham, and Waples. At a meeting of the Union Association in Lyceum Hall, April 12th, 1863, Durant read a letter from Ilahn, Avhich stated that in a conversation Hahn had held Avith President Lincoln upon the subject of organizing a civil government for Louis- iana, the President heartily approved of the plan, and promised to send instructions to the military leaders in Louisiana to favor the movement. On motion of Dr. Dostie, the vote was taken, when the resolutions favor- ing the Convention were passed by 95 to 73. The following letter from President Lincoln to General Banks in relation to Louisiana affiurs is interesting as connected with alfairs at that time. Executive Maxsiox, ) Washington, August 5, 18G3. [ "My Dear Gen. Banks : — ****** " While I very well know what I would be glad for Louisiana to do, it is quite a difterent thing for me to 8-t l.lFi: OF A, V. DOSTIK. assume direction of tlie matter, I would he ii:lad for her to make a new constitution, recognizing the eman- ci])ation ])roclamation, and ado])ting emancipation in tliose ])arts of the State to Avhich tlie proclamation does not a])ply. And while she is at it, I think it wo\dd not he ohjectionable for her to adopt some ])ractical system hy which the two i-aces could gradually live tiiemselves out of their old relation to each other, and hoth come out better ])repared for the new. Education for young blacks should be included in the plan. After all, the i)ower or element of ' contract' may be sufficient for this probationary ])eriod, and l)y its simplicity and flexibility may be the better. " As an anti-slavery man, I have a motive to desire emanci])ation Avhich pro-slavery men do not liave ; but even they have strong enough reason to thus ])lace them- selves again under the shield of the Union ; and to thus perpetually hedge against the recurrence of the scenes through which we are now passing. " Governor Shepley has informed me that Mr. Durant is now taking a registry, with a view to the election of a Constitutional Convention in Louisiana. This, to me, appears ])roper. If such convention was to ask my views, I could i)resent little else thaji what I now say to you, I think the thing should l)e pushed forward, so that, if pos- sible, its mature work may reach here by the meeting of Congress. " For my own part, I think I shall not, in any event, retract the Emancipation Proclamation ; nor, as Execu- tive, ever return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the acts of Congress. " If Louisiana shall send members to Congress, their admission to seats will depend, as you know, upon the respective houses, and not upon the President. " Yours, very truly, (Signed) AnuAUAAr Ltxcoln." CHANGES OF MILITAUY COMMANDERS. 85 January 9th, 1864, the Union people of Xew Orleans assembled to endorse the action of the comniitte, and to give sanction to the request of Governor Shepley to order an election for delegates to the Constitutional Con- vention, with a view to making Louisiana a State, in ac- cordance with the principles suggested by the proclama- tion of the President issued on the 8th of December, 1863. The President of that meeting was P. F. Flan- ders, Esq. Among the Vice-Presidents were Dostie, Shupert, Hire, Graham, Heath, Duncan, Howell, Waples, Shaw and Heistend. Mr. Flanders, in addressing the meeting said, " he thought the time had arrived for or- ofanizincf a State Government in Louisiana. Six months before, a plan had been prepared by the Union men of the city for that purpose and presented to Governor Shepley. It was by him forwarded to the President, considered in a Cabinet meeting, approved and returned to Governor Shepley with the approval of the Adminis- tration endorsed upon it. Now it was necessary to ap- point a committee to present resolutions to further the proposed plan." The following were the resolutions adopted : '"''Mesolved, That the future slavery of persons of African descent in Louisiana is a moral, legal and physical im- possibility, and the j^roposed new constitution in declar- ing its non-existence within the boi'ders of the State, will only assert a fact within the knowledge of all her loyal men. " Hesolved, That we cordially approve of all the pro- clamations of the President of the United States in regard to slavery in the insurrectionary districts, but more particularly the one recently issued under date of 8th December, 1863 ; that the means pointed out by him for the rebellious States to return to the Union are, in 8G LIFK OK A. 1'. UOSTIK. our opinion, eminently just and wise ; and that the loyal men of Louisiana are now ready and willin2^ to adopt them, and liavc nearly the required nu]nl)er ofreo'istered loyal eitizens, good men and true, to bring l)aek the State into the great nationality our fathers founded. " liesolved, That the action of the " Free State Com- mittee, in calling upon Brigadier-General Shepley, Military Governor of Louisiana, soliciting him to order, in the name of the people, an election for delegates to a Convention to form a State Constitution, is approved and ratiiied, and he is hereby authorized and requested to take all necessary steps to have such an election at an early day." At that meeting Mr. Durant said, " It will be a glori- ous thing if Ave can make Louisiana the first State that declares for freedom among the late rebellious States." Jan. lltli, the following proclamation by General Banks was issued : " IIeapquakteks Department of the Gui.e, [ Xew Orleans, Jan. 11, 1804. \ " To the people of Louisiana : " L In pursuance of authority vested in me by the President of the United States, and n])on consultation with many representative men of difl'erent interests, being fully assured that more than a tenth of the popu- lation desire the earliest possible restoration of Louisiana to the Union, I invite the loyal citizens of the State qualified to vote in public affairs, as hereinafter pre- scribed, to assemble in the election ])recincts designated by law, or at such jdaces as may hereafter be established, on the 22d day of February, 1864, to cast their votes for the election of State officers herein named, viz : " I. Governor. II. Lieutenant GoAcrnor. III. Se- cretary of State. IV. Treasurer. V. Attorney General. VI. Superintendent of Public Instruction. VII. Audi- tor of Public Accounts ; Avho shall Avhen elected, for the time being, and until others are appointed l)y competent CHAXGES OF MILITAUV COMMAXDEKS. 87 authority, constitute the civil Government of the State, under the Constitution and laws of Louisiana, except so much of the said Constitution and laM's as recognize, re- gulate or relate to slavery, Avhich being inconsistent Avith the present condition of public aftairs, and plainly iiia])plicablc to any class of persons now existing within its limits, must be suspended, and they are therefore and hereby declared to be inoperative and void. This pro- ceeding is not intended to ignore the right of property existing prior to the rebellion nor to preclude the claim for compensation of loyal citizens for losses sustained by enlistments or other authorized acts of the Government. " II. The oath of allegiance prescribed by the Presi- dent's Proclamation, Avith the condition aiiixed to the elective francluse by the Constitution of Louisiana, will constitute the qualification of voters in this election. Officers elected by them will be duly installed in their offices on the Fourth day of March, 1864. " III. The Registration of voters, effected iinder the direction of the ]\Iilitary Governor and the several Union associations, not inconsistent with the Proclamation, or other orders of the President, are confirmed and ap- proved. " ly. In order that the organic law of the State may be made to conform to the will of tlie People, and har- monize Avitli the spirit of the age, as well as to maintain and preserve the ancient landmarks of civil and religious liberty, an election of delegates to a convention for the revision of the Constitution, will be held on the first Monday of April, 1864, The basis of representation, the number of delegates, and the details of election, will be announced in si;bsequent orders. " V. Arrangements will be made for the early elec- tion of members of Congress for the State. " VI. The fundamental law of the State is martial law. Tt is competent and just for the Government to surrender to the people, at the earliest possible moment, so much of military power as may be consistent with 88 I.IKli OF A. V. DOSTIE. the success of military operation ; to prepare tlio way by ]>roin])t and Avise measures, for tlie full restoration of the State to the Union an. UObTIi;. be eight dollars per day, during their attendance, going to and returning irom the sessions of their respective Houses,' and I cannot advise you to audit beyond the limits fixed by the Constitution." ^' Very respectfully, your obedient servant, " (Signed) B. L. Lynch, " Attorney General." The following is a letter written by the Auditor to the Senate, after it had dra^vn up resolutions of im- peachment against Dr. Dostie for refusing to audit cer- tain claims. New Orleans, Nov. 20th, 1864. To the Hon. Legislature of Louisiana : " Article 32d of the Constitution says : ' The mem- hers of the General Assenbly shall receive from the Public Treasury, as eompensatioji for their services,'''' ifee. If it can be shown to the Auditor, whose sworn duty it is to ' audit, adjust, and settle all claims against the State, according to the Constitution and laws,' that the Senator was a member of the General Assembly from the 3d of October, and has rendered services, then it will become the Auditor's duty to draw his Avarrant upon the Treasurer in payment for such services from that date ; but if on investigation of the claim it should be found that he was not a member, and had not ren- dered any services up to the 24th October, then the Auditor, by making such payment, would be violating his oath of office, forfeiting his bond to the State, and rendering himself liable to fine and imprisonment. " It is not, however, claimed by your resolution that the honorable gentleman was a member at the time in question, and as I have shown above, he was not an officer of the State until the 24th of October, therefore he is not legally entitled to compensation for services previous to this date. "Complaint cannot be made, in justice, of the State DOSTIE AS AUDITOR OF STATE. 109 in adopting such rules, or of the Auditor for protecting the public treasury from unlawful demands. If the State did not, through her officers, correct errors of this cliar- acter, her losses would sometimes be very severe, and her ability to maintain her credit materially lessened. " For these reasons T must respectfully decline to dm av a warrant in pursuance of your resolution. Honorable Senators — I desire to say in conclusion that this de- cision is from a conscientious conviction of dutj', and not from any disposition to oppose your honorable body or clog the wheels of legislation. My history in the public aifairs of the State establishes beyond a doubt my love and reverence for the new Government of Louisiana, and that my prayers are fervent and continuous for the progress, prosperity and permanence of the government under the Constitution of 1864. " Let me pray that if you, in your superior wisdom, dissent from my views of law and duty, that you Avill, in your judgment, consider me honest and conscientious, and as not intending disregard or discourtesy towards the dignity of your body. " I am, very respectfully, yours, " A. P. DosTiE, Auditor." The position taken by the vigilant Auditor of State was decided correct, and an abuse, having no counte- nance of legality, was prevented. 110 LIFE OF A. 1*. DOSTIE. CHAPTER XIV. DOSTIE AND DUUANT. The names of Durant and Dostie are intimately asso- ciated with the i:)olitical liistoiy of Louisiana during the rebellion. Both were natives of the State of New York. Both were self-made men, Dostie in his youth was a friend of liberty, and ever maintained its broad prin- ciples, which acted ever as a motive power and guiding star throughout his eventful life. Durant, in his youth, embraced the doctrines of slavery, and became an influ- ential slaveholder. Dostie Avas by nature impulsive, large hearted and fearless. Durant was deliberate, politic and cowardly. Dostie was by nature a democrat — one of the people. Durant was an aristocrat — holding himself above the masses. Dostie drew the hearts of his friends to him by a magnetism which emanated from his lionest, earnest soul. Durant repelled by his cold and studied manner. Dostie was a patriot ; Durant a politi- cian. Ambition was only a secondary consideration with Dostie. " Let us perish from the earth, if by our death equal rights and universal justice be promoted thereby," were the words of Dostie. " My slave interests must not be disturbed by the United States Government," Avere the Avords of Durant. Ay, and more ! In every public act, even up to the eventful year of 1864, he ex- DOSTIE AND DUEANT. Ill pi'essed the sentiment, " No republican government must be established in Louisiana, ■wherein my fame is not con- spicuous and my ambition is not gratified." President Lincoln and his executive acts relating to Louisiana, and the established Free State government of 1864, were dear to the liberty-loving heart of Dostie, who regarded a word or an act against his authority in the light of sacrilege. The following correspondence may not prove uninter- esting as connected with the history of New Orleans in 1864. "Neav York, July 26, 1864. " Hon. Henry Winter Davis, Baltimore, Maryland : " Dear Sir — The friends of freedom in Louisiana, thwarted in their eftbrts by the acts of the Executive at Washington, had placed their hopes on the bill guaran- teeing ixs a republican form of government, Avhich you reported to the House of Representatives, and Avhich ob- tained such emphatic approval there and in the co-ordi- nate branch of Congress. We hapoiutment and ambi- tion. He could not rule as 'master,' therefore he has striven to ruh\. " In his letter to 11. Winter Davis he says: '"No free State Constitution had, on the 8th day of July, been adopted or installed in the fragment of Louisiana held by the military forces of the United States.' On the 11th May the Convention, represent- ing fully two-thirds of the entire population of the State, passed the Ordinance of Emancipation. Eighty- five members of the Convention were present and voted upon the great question. Of this number seventy-two A'oted in favor of the Ordinance, declaring slavery for- ever abolished and prohibited throughout the State, and, inhibiting in their fiat the Legislature from making laws recognizing the right of property in man, and proclaim- ing that all children, from the ages of six and eighteen years, shall be educated by maintenance of free public schools ; also, that all able bodied men in the State shall l)e armed and disciplined for its defence, and that t:ic l)lack man may receive the full rights of citizenship. Are not these jewels of liberty ? With these invalua- ble jewels the Constitution Avas adopted in the hearts of the people. The form or ceremony of ratification DOSTIE AXD DUKAXT, 119 liad not been gone through 'tis true ; but Mr. Dr.rant, from liis knowledge of the loyalty of his felloAV-citizens, could scarcely help knowing it Avould be ratified by an immense majority, and if he was imbued with that patriotism and love of liberty his eloquent speeches in his saner and more generous moments portray, he would feel to thank those wdio stood by the helm of the ship when he was. in the hold endeavoring to scuttle and sink her. " Durant participated in the election for State officers in February, 18G4 ; he was chairman of a committee which conducted the campaign for one set of candidates ; he made numerous publications and speeches, and his part- ner, Chas. W. Horner, who now ' certifies' the protest, Avent before the people on Durant's ticket as a candidate for Attorney General ! The Durant ticket obtained only about one-sixth of the entire vote cast. Finding the weakness of his party, and abandoning all hope of being returned to the Constitutional Convention, he suddenly came to the conclusion that he would not be a candi- date, ' because the whole movement was irregular !' His partner was, however, again a candidate, and again unsuccessful. If Durant or his partner had been elected, it is fair to assume that we would have had none of their pigmy eftbrts to retard the great Free State movement in Louisiana. And if the President, in compliance Avith his Avishes had directed General Butler to respect Slave property, Durant Avould not haA^e sought in his published letter to H. Winter DaAds to have ridiculed our glorious Lincoln. " I have Avritten more in a spirit of sorrow than in anger. My aim has been nothing to extenuate nor oi;g]it 120 LIFE OF A, P. DOSTIE. to set down in malice; but I have considered it my duty as a good citizen to unmask the conduct of one wlio lias immodestly and unjustly sought to thrust himself be- fore the country as the only consistent Union and Free State man of Louisiana, and thus sought to injure the glorious cause of loyalty and restoration, under our new Constitution. With high regard, I am, very respectfully yours, A. P. DOSTIK. January 2d, 1865, Thomas J. Durant wrote to the editor of the " Anti-Slavery Standard : " " The citizens elected to fill the State offices in Louisiana have no con- fidence in the civil administration, and pronounce it powerless to punish oftenders. " Not long since, one Michael Gleason, a Avhite man, Avas tried before a Court and Jury in this city, on an indict- ment for the murder of a negro boy, by wantoidy and without the slightest provocation throwing him into the Mississippi river, from a steamboat lying at the levee, and thus causing his death by drowning. Four eye- witnesses, all of African descent, testified to the horrid crime ; there was no countervailing evidence on the part of the accused, but he was at once acquitted by the Jury. Mr. Attorney-General B. L. Lynch, who was elected on the 22d of February, 1864, at the same time with Mr. Hahn, the Governor, had, under the same military order from the Major-General commanding the Department of the Gulf, prosecuted this case Avith an honorable zeal for the cause of public justice. " Li subsequently commenting on this deplorable result, Mr. Lynch said : " I spared no pains, I resorted to every legitimate means in my power to succeed in bringin3- DOSTIK AND DURANT. 12X upon the head of the murderer the punishment richly due to his appalling ci-ime. I failed ! and why did I fail ? It was, in my opinion, on account of the color of the poor murdered youth ! It was on account of the complexion of the four truthful witnesses, whom the Jury affected not to believe. It is enough to chill the blood to reflect on the horrid verdict of the twelve men, who swore they would ' true deliverance make,' and who, in effect, decided last Monday, in the First District Court of New Orleans, that colored people are outside the protection of the laws, for the maintenance of which they are gallantly baring their bosoms to the bullets and the bayonets of the enemy, on the battle-fields of the rebellion.' " This official exposition of the condition to which, under this abnormal State government, the citizens of African descent are reduced, ought to arrest the atten- tion of the friends of freedom throughout the nation. If the man of color is thus to be left to the desjDotism of rulers who have no sympathy with him, what a snare and a delusion is the pretended gift of liberty ?" The folloAving communications prove that injustice to the colored man was not the fault of the State Officials of Louisiana in 1864. " Office of Superintendent, Negro Labor, Depart- ) ment of the Gulf, New Orleans, June 17, 1864. \ " Charles Leaumont, Recorder 2d & 3d District : " Sir: For the purpose of ascertaining the exact legal status of the colored population of this city, particularly those who previous to the arrival of the United States army were slaves, I have the honor to respectfully solicit a reply to the following questions : 122 LIFE OF A. r, DOSTIE. "T. Do you consider the laws of the State in relation to slavery in operation at the present time ? "II. Can negroes reeeive ecpial justice Avith wliite persons without reference to their social condition pre- vious to the war in the court under your jurisdiction ':' "I have the honor to he, " Very respectfully your obdt. serv't, (" Signed) Geo. 11. JIaxks, " Colonel and Supeiiiitendent of Negro Labor," The Ivecorder evaded the res|)onsil)ility of a legal opinion in reply, and sent the following note to Attorney General Lynch : " Recorder's Office, Second District, }_ Neav Orleans, June 17th, 1864. \ " To B. L. Lynch, Esq., Attorney General : "/S'^V.•The accompanying communication addressed to me by Colonel Hanks Avas this day received, and is respectfully referred to you for ansAver. " Yours Kespectlully, ("Signed) Cuas. Leaumont, " Recorder 2d and ;kl Districts." The folloAving extract is from the oHicial opinion of Attorney General B, L, Lynch, rendered on the 18th of June, 1864, in reply to the communication of Colonel Hanks : "On the 22d of September, 1862, a proclamation was issued by the President of tlie United States, setting forth, that ' on the 1st day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves Avithin any State, or designated part of a State, the ]>eople Avhereof should then be in rebellion against the United States, should then, thence- forth and forever be free.' "Furthermore the President announced that, on the 1st day of January, 1863, he Avould, by proclamation, DOSTIE AND DURANT. 123 designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people tlierein, respectively, should then be in rebel- lion against the' United States. " The President, on the first day of January, 1863, did accordingly issue his proclamation, declaring the State of Louisiana to be one of the States then in rebellion, and proclaimed that all persons held as slaves Avithin that State, with the exception of those in certain Parishes, were and should be thenceforth free. " The Parishes exempted from the operation of the Emancipation Proclamation were the following : St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jetferson, Si. John, St. Charles, St. James, Ascension, Assumption, Terrebonne, La- fourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, which ex- cepted Parishes Avere left in the condition as though the proclamation had not been issued. " On the 11th of January, 1864, Major General Banks issued a proclamation, abolishing slavery in the above named thirteen Parishes, exempted in the President's Proclamation. This proclamation was not disapproved, and perhaps was suggested by President Lincoln. "The present State Government was re-organized under the constitution and laws of Louisiana, except so much of the said constitution and laios as recof/nize, re- gulate, or relate to slaveri/, v^hich being inconsistent loith the present condition of public affairs, and plainly inap- plicable to any class of persons existing loithin its limits, was sus^yended and declared to be inoperative and void. " Whether the President and his subordinate. General Banks, in their action Avere warranted by the constitu- tion of the United States upon military necessity, need not be enquired into here. I believe they Avere consti- tutionally empoAvered to issue and enforce the proclama- tions aforesaid. Be that, hoAvever, as it may, you and I, and loyal citizens of Louisiana have sAvorn to support those proclamations, and abide by them so long as they are not declared to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of the nation. 124 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. " I am, therefore, of opinion tliat all negroes and per- sons of color in the State of Louisiana arc free dejure / that all negroes and colored persons in Louisiana, within the Federal lines are free de jure et defacto. I think they have a legal right to testify as witnesses in Courts of Justice, for and against white persons, as well as each other ; that they may sue and be sued in all cases ; that they are entitled to trial by Jury, to the writ of Habeas Corpus ; in short, that they stand on the same footing before the laAV as white aliens residing in the country," I Although through politic motives on the part of Du- i-ant, there was no conflict between Durant and Dostie in many of the acts favoring the great movements of the cause of freedom in Louisiana, when the Free State government Avas attacked by Durant, the antagonism between the two men became most strongly marked. CANDIDATES FOR COXGRESS. 125 CHAPTER XV. LOUISIANA CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS IN 1864. August 13th, 1864, the friends of a free Constitution met in New Orleans to ratify the nomination of Abra- ham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, and to exj^ress their approbation of the new Constitution which was to be submitted to the people of the State on the 5th of Sep- tember. A series of political meetings were proposed, for the purpose of obtaining a united support for the Free State condidates for Congress. On the 29th of August the delegates of the nominating Convention met at Liberty Hall, and proceeded to make choice of candidates for Congress which resulted as follows : First District, M. F. Bonzano ; Second District, Col. A. P. Field ; Third Dis- trict, W. D. Mann. Judge Abell announced himself an independent candidate for Congress, in opposition to Mr. Bonzano. Said Dr. Dostie, in referring to the two last named candidates, at a republican meeting : " Gen- tlemen, you have now before you two candidates for Congress, both members of the late Convention, one in favor of slavery, the other the friend of liberty — which will you send to our National Councils to work for the people of Louisiana ? Abell, the advocate of oppression, 126 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. or Bonzaiio, the lover of freedom." " Bonzaiio !" was the cry of the pco})le. In an address before a Union meeting, Dr. Dostie gives the following reasons for announcing himself an independent candidate for Congress against A. P. Field : " For the lirst time in my life I api)ear before you under circumstances of embarrassment. For the first time do I stand before you voluntarily as an aspirant for office. " You all know that I liold an office whicli I did rot seek. I refused the office of Seci-etary of State, and twice was the Auditorship offered me before I consented to accept it. Before tlie war I followed a profession which yielded me every desirable comfort, and I never was an office seeker. " But now I do ask your suffrages for the high and important position of a lieprcsentativc to" Congress. Not that I have the vanity to suppose myself more competent for that position than any otlier, but the Convention last night nominated Col. A. P. Field, Avhom you all know as the champion of the Masonic Hall clique — and as a foremost defender of Copperheadism — the friend of the Yoorhees and the Vallandigham school. You know how I interrogated him a few nights ago, and how he evaded declaring himself for the new Con- stitution. How did he go to Congress? You all know how it was. And how, after Congress sent him home, they kindly gave him fifteen hundred dollars for Ins visit. I do not want a gentleman of such ])rinciples — allied to Cop- perheadism — to represent redeemed and disenthralled Louisiana in the Congress of my country. I am his equal in all the virtues of manhood — I am his supei'ior CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS, 12'7 in the advocacy of the God-given principle of liberty to all men. I do not wish Louisiana disgraced by sending a man of his Copperhead sentiments. Where have you ever heard his voice raised either in debate or on the streets in defence of the principles of liberty ? lie has vilified Butler and others to whom you owe so much. It is for these reasons that I have voluntarily acquiesced in the solicitations of my friends, and become a candi- date for Congress." Col. T. B. Thorpe, the same evening spoke in de- fence of the new Constitution and of the necessity of having good and loyal men to represent the State in the Legislature and in the Congress of the L^nited States, concluding his eloquent defense of the Constitu- tion as follows : "Fellow-citizens, my name has been mentioned in con- nection with Congress. From causes to which I will not allude, a gentleman has been nominated in my place whom I have never heard of as practically sympathizing in this Free State movement, a gentleman, who, if his own language delivered on a recent occasion at the Jackson Railroad depot is to be believed, holds the Free State party, the Constitution, and the military repre- sentatives of the Federal Government in utter contempt. I respect Col. Field as a gentleman distinguished in the law, and I admired the boldness and power with which he assaulted the Free State party — with which he poured forth his utter condemnation upon our most cherished political principles. I was surprised, however, at his bitterness against the Federal Government, dis- played in his sweeping denunciations of Federal officers and soldiers. Let the gentlemen Avho took the respon- 128 LIFE or A. p. DOSTIE. sibility of the nomination bear the consequences, for ii has either demoralized the party, or it will work a re- generation. " But the Free State party of Louisiana, our Constitu- tion, and our attachment to the Union, do not depend npon single individuals ; and while I step aside in the great contest, another name appears, bright with every association of loyalty ; a name so identified Avith every step in the regeneration of Louisiana that it will shine brightly in history for years and years to come. I mean the chivalrous, zealous martyr-patriot, A. P. Dostie. He has been announced as the Union standard bearer in this Congressional contest, as he Avill come out by your free and independent suffrage, the orator of the field. He has not to come before you at the last mo- ment to attest his love for free institutions ; he has not to get up endorsements to prove that his heart and soul are with us. When the rebel rule Avas in its height in this city. Dr. Dostie, in the impetuosity of his nature, could not control his hatred of the tyrants Avho had ruined his country, and his open defiance of the men who were guilty, led to his banishment from your midst. What Dr. Dostie has done for the cause of freedom since his return from exile, you know as w^ell as I ; for a more indefatigable, a more thorough, a more gen- uine apostle of freedom never enlisted in the great cause. " Send Dr. Dostie to Congress — his earnestness in the national capitol will have a beneficial effect upon all who come in contact with him ; his indefatigable indus- try will surprise the sleepy guardians of the national honor, his unflinching determination to carry through CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS. 129 his cherished principles, will give strength to those who are despondent, and comfort those who like himself arc in earnest. He has qualities that are eminently needed to carry on a reform, to assert and maintain our civil rights, to defend our new Constitution, and to get Con- gress to receive our delegation, and once more admit our State in full fellowship in the glorious constellation of stars. Elect Dr. Dostie to Congress, and in your devotion to him show the people of the North that the Free State men of Louisiana have no compromise with Copperheadism, no matter in what form it makes its appearance, that w^e want no candidates who make death- bed repentances, or become suddenly convei'tcd just before the meeting of a nominating Convention ; that we will have nothing but tried men Avho have served in the field, fought our battles, and helped to win our vic- tories, none in this Congressional election but men like Dr. Dostie." The following from the pen of General Banks is ex- pressive of the state of ^flairs during that Congressional contest : " The events of the day show that a more general interest will be manifested in the coming election than has been anticipated. The Times, hitherto studiously silent upon the ratification of the Constitution, although unsparing in its censure of the Convention that framed it, now urges its readers to its support. ' We might,' it says, ' with reason, advance many objections to this Constitution, but we could, with still more reason and justice, advance many arguments for its adoption. Therefore, we shall vote for it, and urge upon all who, 130 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. perhaps, would desire to do better, to do the best they can, and give in their adhesion and support. " If the efforts for reconstruction of government in Louisiana are successful and recognized, peace is pos- sible and proximative. " The Tribune^ a journal ostensibly devoted to the intei-ests of the colored race, but apparently controlled by white men who seem to have failed in the struggle for leadership in the work of reconstruction, says, that of three alternatives presented to the people of Louisiana, all of which are elaborately argued, the true course is to vote against the Constitution. Its authors are un- principled trickstei-s, it says, and their work must neces- sai-ily be detrimental to the public weal. The Tribune exhibits as much force in the expression, as the Times does in the suppression of its real sentiments, and puts the strongest point upon its avowed hostility. " The canvass in the parish of Orleans is animated, and reminds one of the contests of 1860. Opposition more resolute and capable is the only aliment required to give to the political arena tlie interest once inspired by ' the contests of the fierce democracy. ' " "We are informed that between nine and ten thou- sand legal votes are registered to the parish of Orleans alone. The vote of the State is likely to exceed that of the gubernatorial election some five thousand, probably presenting an aggregate vote of fifteen to seventeen thousand. This is certainly a sanguine, perhaps an over estimate. " In the First Congressional District the contest will be animated, and the vote large. Abell and Bonzano are the candidates — the first opposing the Constitution CANDIDATES FOR COXGRESS. 131 and emancipation, and the latter (Bonzano) advocating the Constitution witli emancipation and compensation for loyal slaveholders. Bonzano is the author of the article of emancipation as it stands in the Constitution to be voted upon, and Mr. Abell was its most persistent and able opponent. " In the Second District, Dr. Dostie, independent, op- poses Mr. Field, a supporter of the Constitution, b\it of strong Democratic proclivities. Mr. Field is known to the country as the unsuccessful claimant of a seat in the House of Representatives last winter. He failed in being recognized, on account of the fact that no opportunity Avas given for a general participation in the election, and the small vote given for the various can- didates claiming membersliip to the House of Represen- tatives. He is a strong man on the stump, and will make his mark in the councils of the nation if elected. But the faithful doubt him, and he has for an opponent Dr. Dostie, State Auditor. Dr. Dostie is regarded by his opponents as the Robespierre of the revolution with- out the passion for bloodshed with which his ancient Republican prototype has been charged, his defenders say falsely charged. Whatever is true of Robespierre of the French Revolution, his successor of the great American Rebellion is governed by a sjiirit of the purest benevolence. He is earnest, but not malevolent, ' he roars you as gentle as a sucking dove ;' even in his anger. In former times when the city was decimated by pestilence, the Doctor was one of the leading men of the Masonic Order who dared death in every form, and carried to every stricken fellow-man, comfort and consolation, if not relief — the Garibaldi of the hospitals. 132 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. Between these contestants the struggle will be animated, not virulent. ' Let the winners pass !' " It will not be strange if Louisiana becomes the pivot upon which the revolution will turn; at any rate, it already attracts a large share of public atten- tion. " The manifesto of recent date upon our state affairs has excited more discussion than any political paper for some years. " We are informed upon very good authority, that the President has written a letter expressing his approval of the draft of the Constitution to be submitted to the people, and an earnest desire for its ratification by them. It is therefore an affair of moment in the minds of other people than our own." From among the many cards sent to the city papers, expressing a desire to see Dostie, the friend of education, in Congress, Ave select the following, as expressive of the feelings of many of the loyal teachers in New Orleans in 18G4: " Although the political issues involved in the present Congressional canvass are of paramount importance, yet it may not be out of place to consider such other issues as are collateral to tlie main question : educational mat- ters of vital importance will be placed in the hands of the next Congressional Kepresentative. Louisiana has not yet availed herself of that bountiful donation of land offered by Congress to establish Agricultural Col- leges. There are, also, we believe, vacant cadetships due to this State, both at West Point and at the naval schools and 'civil service.' Secretaries will without doubt be appointed during the present session. Three such prizes held out to our High School pupils would be glorious incentives to activity. Therefore, if other CANDIDATES FOR CONGKKSS. 133 things are equal, it becomes the duty of all "who loA-e the youth of our schools and hope to see them enjoy the advantages procured for those of other cities, to vote for Dr. Dostie, the tried friend of schools and children. To him, more than to any other man, is due the loyal stand- ing of our public schools. He is evei'yAvhere beloved by the young people of New Orleans. " Teacher." The Delta of September 8th, in referring to the result of the Congressional contest, says : "Dr. Dostie is justly regarded as one of the leading spirits in the cause of the people. A more devoted or disinterested champion of liberty has not appeared upon the political stage during the present century. "The majority of the delegates to the Parish Conven- tion, being satisfied with Colonel Field, presented his name as a candidate for that office. All the primary elections, so far as we can learn, were fairly conducted. The delegates were presumed to know the wishes of their constituents, and the Free State party was, in a measure, in honor bound to ratify their action. The moment the nomination was made known, every friend and supporter of the party and its principles became tacitly pledged to suppoi't the nominee. " In such a light must be viewed the result of the re- cent election. To this must be ascribed the defeat (by a small majority) of Dr. Dostie, who is one of the most popular men in the Congressional District — one against whom not a breath of suspicion could be cast — a true patriot, an indefatigable worker in the Union cause, a tried friend and an honest man. Had Dr. Dostie con- sented to run in time to have had his name presented to the Convention, the result might have been different. With the party nomination, he Avould have kept pace with the vote in favor of the Constitution. As it was he received comparatively a large vote." , The election of September 8th, resulted in sending 134 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. Mr, F. Bonzano, and A. P. Field to Washington. The action of Congress in not admitting them to participate in the councils of the nation arc recorded in tlie official documents of the National Legislature. Dr. Dostie's only disappointment at his defeat in the Congressional contest, arose from an ardent desire to labor in Congress for the interests of Louisiana. lie had watched with the discernment of a true reformer the developments in his adopted State ; had gloried in the downfall of despotism and the elevation of the oppressed laboring classes, and studied diligently the advantages to which her wealth, strength and resources entitled her as a free State in the Union. He desired to be in a posi- tion where, he could labor for the interests of the eman- cipated masses, made free by the acts of President Lin- coln, His public documents, private letters and sayings, all prove that his standard was elevated to the dignity of 2)ure and true statesmanship. Judging from his re- cord, his comprehensive and just views of the measures necessary to carry out republican laws, we can not doubt but that he might have maintained a high position among the radical members of the 39th Congress. November 29th, 1864, the Union men of New Orleans, assembled on Lafoyette Square to ratify the election of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Addresses were delivered by Governor Hahn, General Hamilton, Judge Heistend, and Dr. Dostie. The annexed resolu- tions were adopted : " Hesolved, 1st. That in tire recent re-election of Abra- ham Lincoln to the Presidency of the United States, we behold one of the sublimest spectacles ever presented to CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS. 135 the gladdened eyes of the lovers of liberty and Repub- lican institutions. The doubtful are convinced, the hope- ful assured, and the confident are elated ; that, notwith- standing the outside pressure of a gigantic civil war, and a factious and fierce opposition from within, the great experiment of a constitutional Government, based on universal sufl'rage, has not failed. Clear above the din of battle and the clamor of faction was heard the low, but articulate voice of the people. Was it not the voice of God ? " 2d. That we also rejoice in the election of Andrew Johnson to the next highest oftice in the Republic. It is fitting that he, a Southern man, alone ' faithful found among the faithless,' should preside over that august body, before which he raised — but raised in vain — his voice in thunder tones of remonstrance against the suicidal act of secession. " Zd. That peace, and not war, is the primal and healthfid condition of nations. That we ardently desire peace on the basis of the integrity of the Union, and if the knot of our complications can be untied by the pen of diplomacy, while the sword is upraised to cut it. If possible let diplomacy arrest the impending bloAV." 186 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. CHAPTER XVI. DOSTIE AND BARKER. To his friends, in Avhom he reposed confidence, Dostie was all gentleness and good humor. His Avinning sim- plicity and kindness of manner, made him very popular with his numerous friends, but with Jacksonian temper he sometimes poured out his fury upon the heads of his enemies he believed capable of injustice, fraud and op- pression. There has been, since the existence of slavery, a class of men in the South who have spent their lives jealously watching all who did not spring from Southern chivalry or Southern slave aristocracy. Their greatest pleasure has been to watch an opportunity to scandalize those they chose to brand as " political agitators, inova- tors, new comers, &c,, always adding those who spring from the lower classes." Pre-eminently among this class in New Orleans stands the name of Jacob Barker, Esq., whose idol was money ; a man in society Avithout money, in his eye, had no rights in common Avith the Avealthy aristocrat. Dostie Avho Avas born in poverty, and had been deprived of his honest earnings by rebels and aris- tocrats, had but little sympathy Avith the Barker class. The following correspondence simply illustrates one ol' the many contests between the monied Goliah's of New DOSTIE AKD BARKER. 137 Orleans and " the son of a barber," who often smote the moniecl Philistines " with a sling, and Avith a stone." " New Orleans, July 7, 1864. "Major Gen. Banks : " Sir — In compliance with your request for informa- tion relative to the receipt and disposition of gold in this city, I take pleasure in communicating all that I have been able to learn. "The receipts of gold from New York from the 1st May to the 17th June were, according to published statements, as follows : May 3 $23,000 May 15 67,065 May 15 92,300 May 18 98,075 May 21 47,075 May 23 210,200 1537,715 May 30 1169,964 June 6 256,240 June 8 124,432 June 13 105,339 June 14 47,250 From Interior 9,000 $701,955 537,715 Total $1,239,670 " That this large amount of gold was not sent here for any honest purpose, or to satisfy the demands of commei'ce, seems very apparent. " The large shipments received just previous to the publication of the bogus proclamation indicates quite strongly that the holders had a knowledge of its in- tended issue, and that it was a part of the conspiracy to sell that gold at an enormous rate in this market. " The fact that the proclamation was telegraphed from New York to Cairo,- and other points, after its falsity was known, favors this supposition. 138 LIFE or A. p. DOSTIE. " Of tliat received during June, tlie consignees na- turally divide themselves into the following classes : " First — persons claiming and receiving protection as subjects of a foreign Power. " Many of these persons before the outbreak of the war, were considered citizens, and are believed to liavo voted, and accepted other privileges of citizenship. " They are not known to have any attachment to the Union, nor is it l:)elieved they would forego an op- portunity of profit because it might work injury to the Republic. " The second class of consignees is composed of banks : June G — Citizens' Bank $50,000 " 22— " " 50,000 " 8— " " 124,432 " 4 — National Bank 10,000 " 22— " " 15,000 " 13 — Baidc of America 13,000 " 21— " " 17,000 " 21 — Bank of Commerce 10,000 " At the beginning of the war the oiticers of these State banks were among the first to bestow substantial aid upon the rebel cause. "Although corporations, having no souls, may not be guilty of treason, yet it is most certain that the indi- viduals OAvning stock were, in secession, regarded as genuine rebels, and it is believed that they have ex- hibited no evidence of substantial repentance. " Third — Persons having no feeling either for or against the Government, save as it may help their specu- lations. " "These are among the worst j)arasites preying upon DOSTIE AXD BARKER. 139 the country. The friends of neither combatants, they are ready to prey upon both parties. " The fourth class is that of avowed rebel sympa- thizers, some of whom have taken the oath. " These men are among us, but have neither part nor lot with us. They have not even the decency to hide or disguise their treason. " I am persuaded that the great bulk of gold in this market, is in the hands of imscrupulous persons, caring for nothing but the money they make. " I have not thought it within the compass of your inquiry to make any allusion to the measures necessary to be taken in this behalf. " It is suggested that Order No. — having discouraged the speculation in gold within this Department, there is evidence of a combination to make breadstuffs the staple of this unholy object. It is believed that a systematic arrangement is now being made to enhance the price of articles of subsistence. " I remain, very respectfully yours, A. P. DOSTIE." " To the Editor of the JSTeio Orleans Times, July 28th ■ — The editor of the True Delta having declined to make the correction, the editor of the Times will be pleased to inform the public that the statement of A. P. Dostie, published in the T'ue Delta of yesterday's date, is falsk, so far as it represents the Bank of Commerce or its officers, as among the first to bestow substantial aid upon the rebel cause. " Neither the said Bank nor its officers subscribed a dollar at that time, nor at any other time, to the Con- federate loans in this city or elsewhere ; nor has that 140 LIFE OP A. P. DOSTIE. Bank or the proprietor thereof ever contributed funds in the formation of military companies or otherwise in aid of the rebellion, which the proprietor does now and has always condemned as uncalled for and ruinous to the whole nation, and particularly ruinous as it has subjected this community to the insult of being thus criticised by such a man. " If A. P. Dostie has the merit of loyalty beyond what he considers likely to administer to his acknowledged appetite for gain, it must have arisen from recent and sudden conviction. " jNIr. Barker's loyalty was tested before the birth of A. P. Dostie. Jacob Barker." " New Orleans, July 30, 1864. " To the Editor of the Tme Delta : Sir — The Ncav Orleans Times of this morning con- tains a letter over the signature of Jacob Barker, vio- lently abusive of myself, because in my letter to Major- General Banks, of July 7th, published in your j^aper of Thursday, I made the following observations : ' At the beginning of the war the officers of these State banks w^ere among the first to bestow substantial aid upon the rebel cause. Although corporations, having no souls, may not be guilty of treason, yet it is most certain that the individuals owning stock wei-e in secession regarded as genuine 1-ebels, and it is believed that they have exhibited no evidence of substantial repentance.' " That publication is my supposed cause of offence to Jacob Barker. In that communication, as Avill be seen, I did not name Jacob Barker, either directly or by neces- sary implication; but since he has seen fit to suppose DOSTIE AND BARKER. . 141 himself one of the class of individuals referred to as havinfj ' no souls ' of havinc: been resrarded while seccs- sion was rampant in arms in this city as a jjassablc rebel, and as having since exhibited no evidence of substantial repentance, I am willing to avow and admit that he is, of all men in this city, one whom I should have placed in just that category. In that communication, for which I am thus personally and scurrillously assailed by Jacob Barker, I made no attacks on the private character of any stockholder or officer of any of the banks therein named ; but I made allusion to them as a class of pei'sons derelict in the performance of the duties they owed as citizens of the United States. " I by no means regret that Jacob Barker has seen fit to make that publication the occasion of calling public attention to the manner in which he has performed his duty to the Government of the United States, under whose protection he has become bloated with the inso- lence of wealth, while that Government has been en- gaged in a life and death struggle with this hell-born rebellion. All good citizens in these 'times that try men's souls,' owe it to their country, in this her great struggle for national existence, to give active aid, by bearing arms, if fit for service, or by loan of their money if they have amassed wealth under the protection and advantages which that just and good Government has afforded them. ' Indiiference or neutrality is a crime, and faction is treason.' " Jacob Barker, by reason of nis immense wealth, and the po^ver of his position, owes it to his country, in these times of her national peril, to give more positive and substantial proofs of loyalty thaii merely to ' condemn 142 LIFE OF A. V. l>OSTIE. the rebellion as uncalled foi" and ruinous.' Although too old, being a tionagenarian^ to bear arms in j^erson in her behalf,. yet he owed it to his covmtry to labor actively and boldly with his pen and voice to propagate and uphold sentiments of unconditional and zealous loyalty. He owed it to his country to sustain her credit by invest- ing a reasonable share of his immense wealth in her bonds, for without the 'sinews of war' hoAV can the loyal soldiers be armed, fed and clothed, and this diabolical rebellion be trodden under foot? And Avithout the will- ing aid of loyal capitalists how can the Government effect its necessary loans to carry on wars ? "He asserts that his loyalty was tested 'before the birth of A. P. Dostie.' That maybe so, and that loyalty might even then have been found, as in later times, to have consisted in selfish devotion to Mammon, Admit- ting that Jacob Barker's loyalty was ' tested ' before my birth, and not found wanting at that remote period, I desire to know what ' test it lias stood during the last eventful four years ? " It may not be known to many in this community — but it is a fact that should be made public — that Jacob Barker, the banker and millionaire, gave, among others, such striking proofs of active, unconditional loyalty to his country as these : When General Butler ordered the citizens of this city to renew their allegiance to the Government of the United States within a certain time specified, this same Jacob Barker made his appearance before the Provost-Marshal at the City Hall, just ten minutes before the expiration of the time limited, and reluctantly took the oath, and at that same time received for two members of his family ' registered enemies' papers.* DOSTIK AND BARKEE. 143 "To encourage or permit those of his own family to register themselves as enemies to their country, and to harbor them in his house, may perhaps be proof to some persons that his 'condemnation of rebellion' had always been terribly severe. When the Commanding General required a certain class of citizens to bind themselves "with the ' iron-clad ' oath he comiDlied, but when and how? At the last moment, and very reluctantly. There was published in this city, for a short time, last year, a 'loyal traitor' sheet called the National Advocate^ with Jacob Barker's name as ostensible and responsible editor and proprietor. That infamous sheet, during the period of its short and villainous existence, was com- monly filled with all kinds of rebel dispatches via the ' grape-vine ' line, terrific bulletins of Federal defeats, croakings and lamentations over the evils and burden of this ' cruel and unnecessary war,' all sorts of exti-acts from rebel-symjjathizing papers, and with every kind of matter calculated to give aid and comfort to other loyal traitors in this city, until the nuisance became so intole- rable that the publieation of the National Advocate^ edited and owned by Jacob Barker, was supj^ressed by Major-General Banks, out of complaisance, I svippose, to ' such a man's' mode of ' condemning the rebellion.' " What public offences, or what kind of moral delin- quency J. B. means to impute by styling me ' such a man,' I am utterly at a loss to know. lie hints that I have an 'acknowledged appetite for gain.' Acknow- ledged by whom, pray ? Even my worst enemies, among whom I am proud to include every man who does not love my country, Avill not accuse me of a sordid, money-loving spirit. What little money my labor has 144 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. earned beyond supplying tlie AVants of a frugal living, I have cheerfully given during this war to advance the glorious cause of our country. I wish Jacob Barker had done likewise in proportion to his resources. Then he would have lived for some nseful purpose. I am will- ing to leave it to the public to judge Avhethcr my cha- racter for honesty Avill bear comparison with that of ' such a man ' who issued and caused to be circulated in this city, thousands of dollars of notes purpoi'ting to be bills of the ' Bank of Commerce,' payable ' six months after the ratification of peace between the United States and the Confederate States of America.' I think that I perform my duties to my fellow-citizens and my coun- try, q lite as conscientiously as ' such a man,' who has devoted his whole power of thought to the sordid pur- suit of acquiring and hoarding wealth, and Avho has not shown patriotism enough to give a single dollar to pro- mote the cause of the Union, and of the benignant Government under Avhose favor and protection he has grown rich. "I notice that J. B. gives as his ' particular' reason for ' condemning the rebellion' as ' p:u\!calarly ruinous,' is that it has subjected ' this community ' to the insult of being thus criticised by ' such a man.' What a lofty minded patriot ! What a worthy millionaire ! What a far discerning intellect, and what pure and noble im- pulses move the soul of this great and venerable banker and speculator, as shown in his statement of his ' par- ticular reason' for ' condemning the rebellion !' " No natural love of country, no profound perception of the intrinsic meanness and wickedness of ti'cason and rebellion against our noble government, could furnish DOSTIE AND BAKKER. 145 the mind of J. B. such a 'particular' good reason for ' condemning the rebellion,' as the insult to this com- munity of being criticised by ' such a man.' Wonderful logic ! Admirable consistency ! Who compose the com- munity which he asserts I have insulted ? My commu- nication to General Banks, which has j^rovoked this irascible, supcranuated old Copperhead to publish that scurrilous attack upon my character and motives, had reference to no other ' community ' or classes of men than, 1st. persons claiming protection as subjects of foreign powers, some of whom were formerly considered citizens, and who are not suspected of any attachment to the Union ; 2nd. the Banks among whom I placed J, B.'s Bank ; 3d., those proverbial for having no pa- triotism ; parasites, only coming to make money out of either party, and 4th., avowed rebel sympathizers. "These classes compose the entire ' community ' re- feiTed to in my letter on the gold question, and they alone are the ' community' to whom my publication was an insult, if insult it Avas to any. If that ' commu- nity ' to which it would seem J. B. claims to belong, feel insulted by my criticisms upon their want of pa- triotism, they, and J. B. in particular, can seek any redress which they deem their ' wounded honor ' de- mands. " In the statement made by Mr. Barker of his jjaltry motives for condemning the rebellion, he discovers to public view a poverty of soul in striking contrast with the i^lethora of his money bags. Between the money and the man, the former has outweighed the latter and given him the position he now holds in society, ' J/ewe, mene, tekel, upharsim'' His record as a citizen of a great 146 LIFE OF A. r. DOSTIK. republic is unwortliy of liis sires, and of the sulilime lessons of Union niid liberty transmitted l)y them to him. But let liini come and labor side by side with the friends of the Union, and tliat immortal ordinance Avhich forever abolishes slavery from Louisiana, and then I Avill call him honest, anel military lines we are assured of the existence of a union feeling. " I speak of these things as encouraging signs of the times. In Louisiana, which now, as at the outset of the rebellion, can claim to be fully as loyal as Missouri, Ma- ryland or Kentucky, her inhabitants have passed the Rubicon of their trials. The power of secessionism is waning; its influence is now scarcely felt among our people. " Our progress in civil reorganization has been equally auspicious. A constitution has been accepted by the people, which has swept away not only the last vestige of human bondage, l)ut all the concomitant blemishes upon civilization which stood upon our statute books and were a part of our institutions. The Black Code, so long the reproach and regret of the humane and en- lightened of the world, exists no more. The odious GOVKltXOK HAHN. 159 basis of representation, which gave to wealth and capital :x leverage against the mechanical and industrial classes, and favored, as it was designed to, the establishment of an oligarchy among American freemen, is removed at once, without the necessity of a long and wearisome ag- itation, as would otherwise have been necessary for the attainment of the simple justice of equal representation. One voter is now equal to another, and entitled to the same privileges and proportional representation. Older governments and communities have had to battle for years without success for this plain, practical and essen- tial republican measure. Our Constitution favors indus- try, secures the reward of labor, guarantees impartial education, invites immigration, and will be the basis of a prosperity hitherto untold in our annals. " I leave your chief executive office in the hands of my constitutional successor, Lieutenant-Governor Wells. He has already received marks of the confidence of his felloAV-citizens of this State, and is known to you for all his patriotic antecedents. I have full confidence that his administration of the government will have the sup- port of our fellow-citizens, without distinction of jjarty. " For myself, I shall never forget the many and flat- tering marks of kindness which I have received from my felloAV-citizens of Louisiana. That confidence which they have unwaveringly awarded me it will be my endeavor to merit and justify. AVhether it be to serve her in the ])ublic or private station, her honor and her glory it Avill l)e my constant aim to promote, with all the humble ability I can command. "I respectfully recommend the Legislature to take such measures as may be necessary to provide, in a fitting manner, for the inauguration of Lieiit. Governor Wells into the office of Governor. Michael Haiin. When Governor Ilahn resigned his position, few doubted the firm loyalty of his successor. True Union- 160 LIFE OF A. r. DOSTIE. ists believed he would defond their interests as his prede- cessor had done, Ilis official acts had been in harmony with the measures of President Lincoln whose confidence he seemed to have gained. The followinc: characteristic letter is expressive of that confidence : Executive Maxsiox, Washin-gton, March 13, 1864. Hox. Michael Hahn : My Dear Sir : I congratulate you on having fixed your name in history as the first Free State Governor of Louisiana. Now, you are about to have a Convention, which, among other things, will probably define the elective franchise. I barely suggest, for your private consideration, whether some of the colored people may not be let in ; as, for instance, the very intelligent, and especially those Avho have fought gallantly in our ranks. They Avould probably help, in some trying time to come, to keep the jewel of liberty 'in the family of freedom. But this is only a suggestion, not for the public, but to you alone. Truly yours, A. Lincoln. PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 161 CHAPTER XVnL PRESIDENT LINCOLN. On the night of the 15th of April, 1865, the loyal masses of New Orleans congregrated in Lafayette Square to express their gratitude on the downfall of the rebellion. Richmond had been captured, and Lee and Johnston had suri-endered their armies to the L^nitcd States forces under Grant. At that immense gathering, numbering thousands, the annexed resolutions were adopted : 1. Hesolved, That the loyal citizens of New Orleans have learned, with the liveliest emotions of delight, that Richmond has been captured, and that the rebel armies under Lee and Johnston have surrendered to the forces of the United States, commanded by Generals Grant and Sherman. 2. liesolved, That next to that God who rules the destinies of nations, our thanks are due to the Army and Navy of our country, Avho have, through a protracted conflict of unexampled magnitude and iierceness, finally overthroAvn its enemies, and enabled us to anticipate the not far distant day Avhen the National flag will once more float in triumph over every square foot of the Na- tional domain. 3. Mesolved, That in the struggle thus determined we hail the realization of those ideas which furnished the main issue in the conflict — the issue between slavery and freedom — and that we pledge ourselves to sustain the 102 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. holy cause of freedom and equal riglits as the claim of justice and the hasis of future security. 4. licso/ved, That the jieople of the United States, and the friends of liberty throughout the civilized world, OAve to our i)atriotic Chief Magistrate, Abraham Lincoln, obligations of lasting gratitude for the patriotic courage and wisdom he has displayed under circumstances of mi- exampled difficulty, in vindicating Kepublican institu- tions Ironi the aspersions of their enemies, for the invalu- able services he has rendered the cause of human liberty, and for the successful manner in Avhich he has brought the Ship of State through the rocks and shoals of re- bellion to the haven of peace. In connection with that memorable event, destined to live on history's page as the jubilee hour after four years of gloom, it is fitting to })resent the speech of the Presi- dent, made to a vast concourse of people at the Execu- tive Department in AVashington on the evening of the 13th April, 18G5 — the last public address of the martyred Lincoln : "We meet this evening, not in sorrow, but in gladness of the heart. The evacuation of Petersburg and llich- mond, and the sun-ender of theprinci2:)al insurgent army, gives hopes of righteous and speedy i)eace, whose joyous expression cannot be restrained. Li the midst of this, however, lie from whom all bounties flow must not be forgotten, "Acallfora National Thanksgiving is being })repared and Avill be duly promulgated. Nor must those whose harder part gives us the cause of rejoicing be overlooked. Their honors must not be paralyzed but Avith the others. I myself Avas near the front, and had the high ])leasure of transmitting much of the good ncAvs to you ; but no part of the honor for the plan or execution is mine. To PRESIDEXT LIXCOLX. 1G3 General Grant, liis skillful officers and l^rave men, all belongs. The gallant navy stood ready, but was not in reach to take an active part. "By these recent successes — the re-inauguration of Xa- tional authority — reconstruction, which has had a large share of thought from the first, is pressed more closely upon our attention. It is fraught with great difficulty, unlike the case of war between independent nations. There is no authorized organ for us to treat with, no one man has authoritj^ to give up the rebellion for any other man. "VVe must simply begin with and mould from the discordant and disorganized elements. Xor is it a small additional embarrassment that we loyal people difter among ourselves as to the mode, manner, and measure of reconstruction. " As a general rule I abstain from reading reports of attacks upon myself, not to be provoked by that to which I cannot properly offier an answer. In sjiite of this pre- caution, however, it comes to my knowledge that I am much censured for some supposed agency in setting up and seeking to sustain the new Government of Lou- isiana. " In this I have done just so much and no more than the public know. In the annual message of December, 1863, and the accompanying proclamation, I presented a plan of reconstruction, as the phrase goes, Avhich I prom- ised, if adopted by any State, would be acceptable and sustained by the Executive. " I distinctly stated that this was not the only plan which might possibly be acceptable, and I also distinctly protested that the Executive claimed no right to say 164 LIFE OF A. P, BOSTIK. when or whether members sliouhl he a(hnitted to seats in Congress from such States. "Tliis i>hin was in advance submitted to tlie Cabinet and approved by every member ot it. One of tliem suggested that I shouhl tlien and in that conjunction apply the emancipation proclamation to the , ex- cept parts, of Virginia and Louisiana that should drop the suggestion about apprenticeship for freed people, and that I should omit the protest against my own power in regard to the admission of members of Con- gress. " But even lie approved every part and parcel of the plan Avhich has since been employed or touched by the action of Louisiana. " The new Constitution of Louisiana, declaring eman- cipation for the whole State, jiractically applies the j^roclamation to the part previously exempted. It does not adopt the apprenticeship for freed people, and is silent — as it could not be otherwise — about the admission of members to Congress so that it is applied to Louisi- ana. " Every member of the Cabinet fully approved the plan. The message went to Congress. I received many commendations of the plan, written and verbal, and not a single objection to it from any professed emancipation- ist came to my knowledge until after the news Avas re- ceived at Washington that the jieople of Louisiana had begun a move in accordance with it. " I had corresponded with different persons supposed to be interested in seeking the reconstruction of the State Government of Louisiana. When this message of 1863, with the plan before mentioned, reached Xew Or- PKESIDENT LINCOLN. 165 leans, General Banks wrote me that he was confident that the people, with the aid of his militarj- co- operation, Avould construct substantially on that plan. I wrote him and some of them to try it. They tried it and the result is known. " Such has been my only agency in the Louisiana move- ment. My promise is made, as I have previously stated ; but as bad promises are better broken than kept, I shall treat this as a bad promise, and break it whenever I shall be convinced that keeping it is adverse to the jiublic interest ; but I have not yet been so convinced. I have been shown letters on this subject, supposed to be able ones, in which the writer expresses a regret that my mind has not seemed to be definitely fixed on the ques- tion whether seceded States, so called, are in the Union or out of it. " It would have added astonishment to his regret, were he to learn that since I have found professed Union men endeavoring to answer that question, I have pur- posely forborn any public expression upon it. It ap- pears to me that the question has not been and is not yet, a practically national one ; and the discussion of it, while it remains practically unnational, could have no effect, other than the mischievous one of dividing our friends. " As yet, whatever may become the question is a bad base of dispute, and good for nothing at all. We all agree that the seceded States, so called, are out of their proper practical relation with the Union, and that the sole object of the GoAernment, civil and military, in regard to those States is to again get them into their proper relation. 166 LIFK OF A. P. DOSTIE. " I believe tliat it is not only possible, but in fact easier to do this Avitliout declaring or even considering whether these States liave ever been out of the Union, or whether finding themselves safely at home, it would be utterly immaterial whether they had been abroad or not. " Let's join in doing acts necessary to restore the projier practical relation between these States and tlic Union to each other forever ; after innocently indulging his own opinion whether, in doing acts, he brought the States from without into the Union, or only gave theiu ]>roper assistance, they never having been out of it. "The amount of constancy, so to speak, on which the Louisiana Government rests, would be more satisfactory to all if it contained 50,000 or 60,000, or even 20,000, instead of 12,000, as it does. It is also satisfactory to some that the elective franchise is not given to the colored man. " I Avould myself prefer it were now conferred on every intelligent one and on those Avho serve our cause as soldiers ; still the question is not whether the Louis- iana Government as it stands is quite all that is desira- l)le. The question is : Will it be M'ise to take it as it is, itself to improve or to reject and disperse ? " Can Louisiana be brought into her proper practical relation with the Union by sustaining or discarding the new Government? Some 12,000 votes in the hereto- fore slave State of Louisiana have sworn allegiance to the Union, assumed to be the rightful political power of the State, held elections, organized a State Govern- ment, adopted a Free State Constitution, giving the benefit of the public schools equally to the black and PRESIDENT LINCOLN. 167 white, and empowering the Legislature to confer the elective franchise upon the colored men. " The Legislature has already voted to ratify the Constitutional amendment recently passed by Congress, abolishing slavery throughout the Union, perpetuated freedom in the State, committed to the very things, and nearly all the things the nation wants, and they ask the nation's recognition and assistance to make this com- mittal. " We have rejected and spurned them ; we do our utmost to disorganize and disperse them. We, in fact, say to the white man, ' you are Avorthless and Avorse ; we will never help you, nor be helj^ed by you.' To the blacks Ave say, ' This cup of liberty, Avhich these your old masters held to your lips, Ave Avill dash from you, and leave you to the chances of gathering the spilled and scattered contents in some A'ague and indefinite Avhen, Avhere and how.' " If this course of discouraging and paralyzing both the white and black has any tendency to bring Louisiana to her proper fractional relations with the Union, I liaA'e so far been unable to perceiA'e it ; if, on the contrary, Ave recognize and sustain the ucav Government of Louisiana no couA'crse of all this is made true. We encourage the hearts and nerve the arms of 12,000 to adhere to their Avork, and argue for it, and fight for it, and feed it, and goA'ern it, and repair it to complete success. " The colored man, too, in seeing all united for time, is inspired Avith A'igilance and energy, and doing to the same end. Grant that he desires the electiA'e franchise, will he not attain it sooner by saAnng the already ad- vanced steps toAvard it than by moving backwards over 168 ' LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. them ? Concede what the new Government of Louisiana is only to Avhat it should be as the egg to the fowl, and we shall sooner have the fowl by hatching the egg than by smashing it. " Again, if we reject Louisiana ; we also reject our vote in favor of the proposed amendment to the Na- tional Constitution. To meet this proposition, it has been argued that no more than three-fourths of those States Avhich have not attempted secession are nececsary to ratify an amendment. " I do not commit myself against this further than to say that such inference would be questionable, and sure to be persistently questioned, which the ratification by three-fourths of all the States would be unquestioned and unquestionable. " I repeat the question ; can Louisiana be brought into her proper political relation with the Union by dis- carding her new State Government ? That which has been said of Louisiana Avill apply to the other States, and yet so great peculiarities pertain to each State, and such important sudden changes in the same State, and withal so new and unprecedented to the Avhole case, that no exclusive and inflexible plan can safely be prescribed as to the details of collaterals. " Each exclusive and inflexible plan would surely be- come a new entanglement. Important principles may and must be inflexible. I am considering, and shall not fail to act when satisfied that action will be proper." The news of the surrender of Lee and his army made the peace loving masses of New Orleans shout for joy as they united their voices in praise of their Leader, the army and navy. The Star Spangled banner floated PKESIDENT LINCOLN. 169 from the public buildings of the city, and from many of the private residences. The leading Union men assem- bled upon Lafayette Square — which was almost envel- oped with the emblems of Liberty and alive with the glad strains of the National airs — to speak in accents of praise and affection of Abraham Lincoln, who had car- ried the Nation safely through the dark waters of the rebellion, and landed it on the peaceful shores of Liberty. At the close of the meeting Dostie stepped wpon the platform and exclaimed, — "Let the air ring Avith cheers for Liberty — our glorious Lincoln — the Army and Navy," The enthusiastic croM'd responded, and a shout of gladness arose from that vast multitude in honor of victory. Alas ! at that moment the nation's martyr Avas silent in death ! On the morning of the 20th of April, calmness -had succeeded enthusiastic joy. New Orleans was quiet and peaceful, when suddenly the cry was heard in the streets, " President Lincoln is assassi- nated ! " " 'Tis false ! It is a false report of our ene- mies ! " was heard from every quarter. The morning papers, hoAvever, announced the telegraphic dispatch Avitli their columns clad in the emblems of mourning. Joy was turned into Avoe. Gloom hung over the city like a sombre pall. The public mind seemed filled Avith uniA^ersal sorrow. All joined in condemning the terrible crime A\diich had clad in mourning the Nation. Public business Avas sus- pended. The flags, at lialf mast, Avere hung with black. The Public Schools were closed, and their flags hung with the emblems of mourning. The military and navy headquarters, City Hall, Custom House, the principal 170 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. hotels, churches, public buildings and private residences thre-\v out the National emblems hung -with the tokens of sorrow. Ships of all nations lowered tlieir flags, which were draped in tokens of mourning for the Nation's loss. The bells all over the city — tremulous with sad- ness, tolled their funeral chimes. Lincoln had been snatched from the Nation's embrace, in the hour of uni- versal joy. He had fallen gazhig at the Star of peace, that appeared in the horizon as the clouds of the rebel- lion rolled away. The great national bereavement fell with crushing weight upon the hearts of those in New Orleans who had cherished the noble acts of their liberty-loving leader. Said Judge Howell at a meeting organized to take some action, tor expressing in a public manner the feeling of tlie community : " Let us turn our hearts to the Almighty; may He in His wisdom look upon us and be Tvith us in this great calamity." Said Mr. Waples : "This sad news is so shocking to humanity, that I feel that words can avail nothing. Let us endeavor to bo calm under this terrible calamity." Said Judge Durell, upon being called upon to grant the motion of adjourn- ment of the United States District Court : " This sorrow is so great and opens a future so vast, affecting not only ourselves, but those who come after us — aifecting the Avhole framework of our Government, that I do not find this a fit occasion to speak of it." Said Dr. Dostie : " I can never cease to mourn the great and good Lincoln. Who in th(3 iiation can fill his place ? My heart is full of woe Avhen t attempt to look into the future." Through the influence of Dr. Dostie and his co-laborers in the School Board, the Public Schools were closed for PBESIDEXT LINCOLN. 171 one week, in token of respect to the memory of Presi- dent Lincoln. The following published notice from the loyal Superintendent of the Public Schools, appeared in the city papers : Office of Superintendent of Public Schools, New Orleans, April 21, 1865. The Public Schools of New Orleans were reopened almost immediately after the revival of the national au- thoi'ity — in the midst of civil war — under the auspices of the good President whose melancholy departure our country now laments. That this cherished institution, therefore, may render grateful tribute to the memory of the illustrious dead, and that there may be due utterance to the unfeigned sorrow of all connected thercAvith over the parricidal act, by which a stricken people, yet in " the A'alley of the shadow of death," has been deprived of its faithful friend and guide, the flags of the respect- ive schools will be appropriately displayed, and such other expressions of mourning observed as may be practicable, for thirty days from the morning of Satur- day, the 22d inst. John B. Carter, Superintendent of Public Schools. Upon the announcement of the death of President Lincoln, the ofiicers of the Army and Navy of the Gulf Department assembled at the City Hall to make arrange- ments to attend Christ's Church, on the following Sab- bath, to pay tribute to the memory of President Lin- coln. The following is a brief account of that solemn scene, taken from the columns of the New Orleans Daily Picayune : According to previous arrangement, the ofiicers of the Army and Navy stationed in this Department attended Christ Church on Sunday morning, in full uniform. 172 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. Gathering at the City Hall at half-past ten, they pro- ceeded in a body to the Church, headed by General Banks and Admiral Thatcher, The display as they en- tered the sacred edifice and passed up the broad aisle to their seats, filling the entire central part of the building, ■was touching and imposing — the organ meanwhile giving forth a soft and solemn dirge. The Church is superbly draped in mourning. The altar table is covered with black cloth, and behind it is a high screen, formed of heavy folds of black drapery, bordered at the top with white lace festoons. The desk and pulpit are fully shi-ouded in black, and the chancel rails are very tastefully hung Avith the same, and fringed with white. The marble font, which, on the previous Sunday (Easter), we saw so beautiful in its sumptuous ai-ray of spring flowers, is now hung with emblems of mourning. The columns are wreathed with festoons of black and white crape and lace, and the porch is literally canopied with flags. Over the main entrance to the Church there is a handsome display of appropriate mourning. The services of the day were arranged to suit the solemn occasion. Of course, the Collect, Epistle and Gospel for Sunday after Easter, were read. But in say- ing the Morning Prayer, Rev. Mr. Chubbuck and his assistant Presbyter made some variations from the usual order. The first lesson Avas that touching portion of the first chapter of II Samuel, in which David lamented the death of Saul and Jonathan : " The beauty of Israel is slain upon his high places ; how are the mighty fallen ! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Aske- lon ! How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the PRESIDENT LINCOLN. Il3 iDattle, and the Aveapons of war perished ! " etc. The second lesson was that immortal argument of St. Paul to the Corinthians (1st Cor. XY) in support of the doc- trine of the resurrection from the dead. The Psalms selected, instead of those for the day, were the 31st, "In Tiiee, Lord, have I put my trust," and the 13th, "Out of the deep have I called nnto Thee." The Prayers " For a sick person," and " For a person in affliction," the first being specially used with reference to the Secretary of State, and the last to the people of the United States and the family of the late President, were said in the proper place. The introductory senten- ces before the Exhortation, were those with which the burial service commences : " I am the resurrection and the life," etc. The music was very touchingly performed by a well- selected choir. Previous to the commencement of Morning Prayer, that beautiful air of Paesiello, " Come ye disconsolate," was beautifully sung. Instead of the " Venite," the anthem from the 39th and 90th Psalms, from the burial service, " Lord, let me know ray end," was sung to a plain chant with great expression. The canticle, " O all ye works of the Lord !" The Song of the Three Holy Children, which they sang as they walked ui the midst of the fire, was chanted in the place of the "Te Deum," and the "Benedictus," instead of the "Jubilate." The introit was from the 86th Psalm, " Bow down thine ear, O Lord, and hear me," to which was finely adapted the beautiful music of the prayer in " Moise." The hymn was the 160th, " When gathering clouds around I view." 174 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. An address from the Rev. S. C. Tlirall was then de- livered, appreciated as expressed by the following letter: New Orleans, April 27, 1865. To the Officers of the Army and Navy in Kew Orlecms : Your Committee believing that the Address delivered at Christ Church, by the Kev. S. C. Thrall, D. D., on Sunday, the 23d instant, in memorial of the tragic death of your late Commander-in-Chief, the President of the United States, contains a truthful analysis of his char- acter, and i)ays a just tribute to the admirable traits of his head and heart ; and that you would desire to pre- serve a record in some ])ermanent form, of the action you took in honor of his memory ; and in order that your brother officers, who were unable to participate in the solemnities of the occasion, may in some measure enjoy the same pleasure in reading that you did in hear- ing the Address, have, at the suggestion of the present, and also of the former Commanding General of the De- partment of the Gulf, obtained a copy for publication as here printed. The notice of the service taken from the Picayime,' and the correspondence between your Committee and the Rev. Dr. Thrall, published with the Address, ex- plains their action, and the deep interest manifested by the Rector, Wardens, Vestry, and Members of Christ Church, in an event that has drowned a nation and the whole world in tears — clad your country in the habili- ments of sorrow, and your hearts in mourning. . E. B. Browx, Brig.-Gen. Vols. E. G. Beckwith, Col. U. S. Army. G. F. Emmons, Capt. U. S. Navy. CONFIDEXCE IX ANDREW JOn>'SO:N". 175 CHAPTER XIX. PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IX ANDREW JOHNSON. " Who in the nation can fill the place of Abraham Lin- coln ? " was the great question of loyal people after the first shock of bereavement, feeling that no one, in truth, could fittingly succeed to a place consecrated by the Great Emancipator to loyalty and liberty. Andrew Johnson was made President of the United States by the power of Conspiracy and Assassination. The people submitted to that decree and with sad, anx- ious hearts, the loyal masses endeavored to support his administration. Many with faith and hope looked to him as a guide and protector — as the Chief Executive of a Republic whose duty it was to make treason odious, and to frown upon rebellion and tyranny. The record of Andrew Johnson's official acts under the administra- tion of Lincoln were those of a patriot. His record during the rebellion under the eye of the Just President was such as to draw the hearts of the loyal people strongly to him, who doubted not that his future course would harmonize with the beneficent policy of his Prede- cessor. With confidence in the administration of An- drew Johnson, the loyal masses of New Orleans met in Lafayette Square, August 17th, 1865, to give expression to their trust in the Chief Magistrate. 176 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. Dostic ^vas one of the prime movers in orc^anizing that meeting-. He wrote to many of the prominent Union men of the city, urging them to speak in favor of John- son \ipon the occasion. The meeting was called to order by A. C. Hills, Esq., who nominated Jiidge Durell for President of the meeting. Among the vice-presidents chosen were Dr. A. P. Dostie, B. R. Plumley, E. Heath, J. Graham, M. F. Bonzano, Wm. H. Hire, Rev. J. W. Horton, Alfred Shaw, H. C. Wainoth, Judge Heis- tend. Dr. E. Goldman, Ex-Gov. Hahn, John Henderson, and S. S. Fish. The following were some of the reso- lutions adopted at that meeting : ^' I^esolved, That the unity of this country is indis- pensable to the perpetuation of a truly republican gov- ernment ; that the freedom for Avhieh our forefathers fought crn only be secured to us by a steadfast adher- ence to the great principles of liberty, equality and fraternity ; ^'' liesolved, That to those who have promptly, hon- estly and in good faith, availed themselves of the Pro- clamation of Amnesty of President Lincoln, and Avho have by their countenance and sui^port, aided the mili- tary authorities of the United States in their efibrts to re-establish republican institutions in the insurrectionary States are entitled to the sympathy and regard of all good citizens, and to a full restitution of all political rights at as early a day as may be practicable. '"'' Resolved, That in our opinion, no man who has ever held any office of trust or emolument — civil, naval or military — under the rebel authorities, should be per- mitted to hold office under the United States Govern- ment. " Resolved, That in re-establishing civil Government in the Southern States, our only safety consists in mak- ing all loyal men equal before the law ; and that any government established that does not realize this prin- CONTIDENCE IX ANDEEW .lOIINSON. 177 ciple, is neither just nor equitable, and consequently not a republican Government. " liesolved, That while the loyal men of Louisiana were appalled at the brutal assassination, and sincerely mourn the loss of the wise, humane and noble President, Abraham Lincoln, they hereby express their confidence in the patriotism, ability and discretion of Andrew Johnson, President of the LTnited States. That his long public career, unblemished by any stain of disloyalty, great in noble and successful devotion to the people's interests, especially marked by his earnest opposition to treason, has given him the right to our warmest admira- tion and heartiest support ; that we pledge to him our constant aid in the Avork of re-establishing good Govern- ment and loyalty in the Southern States. " liesolved, That J. Madison Wells, acting Governor of the State, Avho received the united vote of the Free State Party, has proved false to the high trust reposed in him, in appointing to oflice men who signed the ordi- nance of secession, and registered enemies to the United States Government ; that his course as Governor has been reactionary, calculated to work injury to the Union cause, and that he is no longer entitled to our confidence." Judge Durell addressed the meeting as follows : ^'' Fellow- Citizens — I thank you for the great honor this evening conferred on me. No greater occasion than this has offered itself during the past four years of bat- tle than that which lias called us together. When our great Republic has asserted its majesty and its power, beating down all the armies marshaled against it, and standing now in the morning of a new administration, called without respect to local divisions, but as equal lovers of our great country ; called upon under such circumstances to come together and pledge our mutual faith — our mutual strength to the assertion of the unity ITS LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. of our country. This meeting is called to pledge to our nation at home and to the nations abroad our fixed de terminate will — fixed in the present as in the past — fixed in the future as in the present, to support tlie liberties and Government which our forefathers handed down to us. " Gentlemen, I will perform the duties of this evening with pleasure. [Applause,] Mr. Hills then read the following letters: "New Orleans, May 17, 1865. " Hon. A. P. Dostie : " Dear Sir — I regret that prior CTigagements, which cannot be cancelled, will prevent me from complying with your kind invitation to address the meeting to be held this evening, by the friends of President Johnson, and of 'loyalty to national freedom and national Union.' It would aftbrd me great pleasure to mingle Avith, and address the citizens whose names are signed to the call ; for among them I recognize many who, during the reign of treason in this city, faithfully and wisely, though unostentatiously, adhered to the Union cause. Some participated with myself in the grand ' Union Rally,' on the same spot, on the 8th of May, 1860, when seces- sionism first reared its head in this city. The spirit of rebellion having been overcome by the courage and self- sacrificing efforts, of the Union armies, it is right that the loyal people should meet and take counsel as to the principles to guide them in the future. " The secessionists of Louisiana, the leaders Avho in- fluenced and deluded the masses, the men who paraded our streets with blue cockades, and sneeringly denounced us as base ' submissionists,' who compelled Unionists CONFTDEXCE IK AXDEEW JOHNSON. 1V9 like youi'self to leave their homes, and who hy fraud wedded the administration of our State Government to the cause of treason, aud thus soi;ght to rob us of our proud nationality — have a terrible responsibility resting upon them. Many are now returning. Some have pro- fited by their folly and their crime, and ask us to foi'gct and forgive the past. Let our conduct towards them be marked by a calm forbearance, worthy of our triumph. " The language of Andrew Johnson, addressed to the people of Tennessee, on the adoption of the Free State Constitution is equally and happily applicable to the condition of Louisiana. " ' The foundations of society, under the change in the Constitution, are in harmony with the principles of free government and the National Union ; and if the people are true to themselves, true to the State, and loyal to the Federal Government, they will rapidly overcome the calamities of the war, and raise the State to a power and grandeur not heretofore even anticipated. Many of its vast resources lie undiscovered, and it requires intel- ligent enterprise and free labor alone, to develop them, and clothe the State with a richness and beauty, sur- passed by none of her sisters.' " Respectfully yours, Michael Hahn." "New Orleans, May 16, 1865. " Dr. A. P. Dostie : "Z)ear Sir, — Your compliment to me is very grati- fying. I have the highest respect for President Johnson. The American people will soon know how to appreciate his elevated qualities as a patriot and statesman. ISO LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE, "I would willinG^ly take part in tlic dcmonstratioa to- morrow evening in tlie mode you suggest, but prefer on this occasion to take part as a spectator and listener. May all success attend you. "Respectfully, J. S. AVtiitakei;."' "New Orleans, May 16, 1865. " A. P. Dostie, Esq., Chairman, etc. : " I aided the nomination of Andrew Johnson, and am to-day an ardent supporter of him. I shall be glad to do all that lies in my power at the meeting to-morrow night. " Very respectfully yours, J. P. Sullivan." New Orleans, May 16, 1865. Dr. A. P. Dostie, Committee of Invivation, etc. : Sir : I have the honor to acknoAvledge and thank you for an invitation to address the meeting to-morrow night, in Lafayette Square, in support of our honored President, Andrew Johnson, and his Administration, I shall re- joice to add my little aid to tlie cause of Free Stateism and Johnsonian principles on that occasion. Very truly yours, RuFus Waples. New Orleans, May 15, 1865. Hon. A. P. Dostie, Chairman, etc. : Dear Sir: Your note of this date, inviting mc to be present and address a meeting of the friends of the Uni- ted States Government Avho desire to sustain President Johnson, to be held on the 17th inst., on Lafayette Square, has just come to hand. I had intended to be present as a citizen to hear what COXFIDENCE IX ANDKE"\V JOHNSOX. 181 might be said on the occasion, and had not thought of taking any part in the meeting. I prefer not to speak, yet, if desired, Avill do so. Very respectfully, L. A. Sheldon. Many other letters were read from prominent Union men in New Orleans expressive of confidence in Andrew Johnson. Addresses were delivered on that occasion by Col. Thorpe, Judge "VVamoth, Rev. Dr. Perne, Judge Heistend, and Dr. Dostie'. In the narration of these events, it will be necessary to go back to the 5th of March, 1865, v.^hen J. M. Wells was inaugui*ated Governor of Louisiana. At that time he was supposed to be in sympathy Avith loyal men and an enemy to the rebellion. In his first official acts he proved his opposition to the Unionists, who had elect- ed him to office. Among his first recommendations was that of Dr. Kennedy to the office of Mayor of New Or- leans. Dr. Kennedy was a strong advocate of the re- bellion, a man who favored oppression, who believed in elevating the aristocracy and degrading the laboring classes. One of his first acts as Mayor Avas the issuing an order decreasing the Avages of the city laborers, Avho were already suffering on account of their scant means of support. A call Avas made to the friends of the suf- ferers to assemble on Lafliyette Square, for the purpose of denouncing the proceedings of the Mayor. At the hour appointed for the meeting thousands Avere seen going in the direction of the Public Square. Lafayette Square in Ncav Orleans is considered as the property of the public. On the night of the laboring class rights meeting the anti-republican Mayor Kennedy ordered its 182 LIFE OF A. r. DOSTIE. gates locked. The meeting was held in the street, in front of the City Hall. The annexed resolutions were read and unanimously adopted : W/ie)'eas, The present improvised and irregular Gov- ernment has attempted to overrule the Constitution of the State by repealing the labor ordinance, thus re- moving one of the supports and guarantees due to labor. Mesolved, That this assembly disapproves and con- demns this usurpation of power on the i^art of said city authorities. Resolved, That said proceedings are without any justification or excuse, and utterly in violation of the fundamental law. Resolved, Tliat the administration of Acting Mayor Kennedy is a failure, and we call upon that incompetent functionary to resign. Resolved, That Ave recommend like proceeding to Glendy Burke, Dr. Edward Ames, of the Bureau of Streets and Landings, and all others concerned in the movement against the interests of labor. Resolved, That tb.e city Government is now in the hands of Copperheads and notorious sympathizers with the accursed rebellion, which, thank God, our brave brothers have so well nigh crushed and destroyed ; and that to the loyal citizen they are intolerable, and should be removed ; that loyal and trusty citizens may be called to fill their places. Among the sjjeakers at that meeting was the Hon. John Henderson, a prominent opponent of slavery in the Louisiana Convention of 1864. From the New Orleans Ti'ue Delta we extract the following in relation to the meeting : " Mr. Henderson, in a very energetic speech, denounced the conduct and policy of Hugh Kennedy, the Mayor, and depicted him as an enemy to the free State of Louisi- ana, and inquired who appointed him. Mr. Henderson COJSTPIDENCE IX ANDREW JOHXSOX, 183 argued that the Government, by sending General Banks to this State, had virtually recognized us as a free State, but Governor Wells in his appoinements . had shown himself unfaithful to the trust confided to him by the people, who believed him to be a good Union man when he came in the guise of a refugee. Mr. Henderson called on the people to seek proper redress." Dr. Dostie was urged to address the assembly. He said he would only take a retrospective view of affairs. His remarks condemned the conduct of Governor Wells, and the proceedings of the Mayor as outrageous. He advocated law and order, but called on the people to seek redress. He said the appointment of Mayor Kennedy was due to Governor Wells, whom he characterized as the John Tyler of the Free State party, who had sold out and turned over the party and its principles into the hands of the Copperheads. He said it was Governor Wells who had attempted to remove the Terrebonne officials, and appointed such men as Verret and McColium, sign- ers of the infamous ordinance of secession. He proposed that the assembly, when it should adjom-n, should pro- ceed to the residence of Major-General Banks, and pay their respects as laboring men to the man who had risen from humble origin (having been a laboring man) to the high position he now enjoyed as a soldier and statesman, in command of the most important military Department, thai: of the Gulf." There were men who had held human beings in bond- age, who at the commencement of the slaveholder's re- bellion gladly gave up their slaves and entered heart and soul into the great movement destined to revolutionize 184 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. the Slave States. Such took no backward steps, and laid no impediments in the Avay of liberty. A policy based upon hypocrisy has ever been used by the des- potic slaveholder to commit crimes of the darkest hue. It was that policy that led Governor "Wells to conceal his true motives, imtil he could grasp the reins of power. Then, \mmasked, he stepped upon the political arena to strike the blows of a despot. At first he timidly vascil- lated before the just policy of Lincoln, and trod lightly and stealthily upon the platform, which he feared might be resting upon a volcano of wrath. But over the grave of Lincoln he planted himself upon the rock which An- drew Johnson erected for despots and became his willing accomplice. Li September, 1864, General Banks was ordered North, and did not return until April, 1865, to resume command of the Gulf Department. Upon his return the few weeks permitted him to act in favor of loyalty were spent in bold decisive action. The following was one of his first ordei's : — " Department of the Gulf, ) New Orleans, May 5th, 1865. f " Special Orders, iVb. 119,] [Extract.] "5. Col. Samuel M. Quincy, 73d U. S. Colored Li- fantry, is relieved from his present duties, and is hereby assigned to the duty of Acting Mayor of the city of New Orleans. " Upon the receipt of this order, he will proceed to the City Hall, and assume the duties of that office. The CONTIDEN^CE IN" ANDREW JOHNSOX. 185 present Acting Mayor is directed to surrender to him all the papers connected with that office. ******* " By coramand of Major General Ranks. "J. C. Stone, Capt. and Asst. Adjt. Gen. Finding General Banks an impediment to his plans, Governor Wells hastened to Washington to unbosom his favorite theories to his friend Andrew Johnson, President of the United States. At this crisis of political affairs in Louisiana, the friends of liberty looked to President Johnson as their future deliverer from rebel intrigue. In a paper edited by colored men in Xew Orleans, at that time, we find the following article, expressive of that confidence : "The removal of Hugh Kennedy from the office of Mayor and the appointment of Colonel S. M. Quincy to that place, has been the event of the week of most interest to our people. The appointment of Dr. Ken- nedy to the Mayoralty by the late General Hurlbut, through our departed Governor Wells, was the begin- ning of a new rule of CojDperheads and rebels, out of which, if it were possible, slavery would be re-established, and all the old wrongs of the slavocracy would be again fastened upon us. Slavery never had a stronger advo- cate than Dr. Kennedy, nor a more practical supporter than Gov. Wells, who, owning three hundred of us in bondage, could not be expected to repent in a day, as indeed he did not ; for instead of emancipating his slaves he had them brought near Xew Orleans, where he helped to support them, while he made political cap- ital with the Radicals out of this professed humanity. 186 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. " Governor Wells was loud in his professions of radi- cal politics, wliicli secured for liim the nomination and election for Lieutenant Governor. Hoav much he must he Avedded to the spirit, if not to the fact of the ' old evil,' may be known l>y his removal of Union Free State men, and his appointment of rebel sympathizers and registered enemies to their places, at the very time when our new President, the brave and loyal Andy Johnson, the liberator of our race in Tennessee, was speaking every day to delegations against just such men and such policy as our Governor was advancing. " We cannot help being thankful to God, who all through this revolution for our freedom has sent us deliverance at the right time, that on this occasion the strong hand of our friend. Major General Banks, Avas present to protect us from the new rule of rebels and copperheads. Defeated here, Governor Wells and Dr. Kennedy, with a few of their friends have gone to Washington, to lay the last hope and the last prayer of the i-eturning rebels, and the anxious Copperheads of Louisiana, at the feet of the heroic President Johnson, who, all his life, has been fighting to overthrow just such men as now ask him to restore them to power. " May they have a good time in learning from our noble President that the scepter has departed from their hands, because they held it for evil, and henceforth there is for them only repentance and quiet submission to the true people whom the God of Freedom has appointed to rule." Soon after the arrival of Governor Wells in Washing- ton, the annexed order Avas sent to the excited city of Tew Orleans, from near the Executive Mansion : CONFIDENCE IN ANDREW JOHNSON. 187 Washington, D. C, May 21, 1865. To J. aS. JValtoji, Treasurer, City of JVeio Orleans: Sir : I hereby notify you as Treasurer of the city of New Orleans, not to pay at the peril of your securities any warrant drawn upon you for pay of individuals, ma- terial for public uses or other purposes whatsoever that may have been made or authorized by Col. S. M. Quincy, a colonel of a colored regiment of United States volun- teer troops, or any other person acting or pretending to act under the appointment of Major-General Banks, Commanding General Department of the Gulf, as said General Banks acted contrary to law, and his proceed- ings are disapproved by the President of the United States, in suspending the civil authorities of the city of New Orleans and overthrowing the laws and ordinances instituted for its good government. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed) J. Madison Wells, Governor. To a greater length could testimony be extended, but enough has been written to show that never was re- posed confidence more betrayed than the nation's trust in the successor of Abraham Lincoln. LIFE OF A. P, BOSTIE. CHAPTER XX. GENERAL BANKS DISPLACED BY GENERAL CANBY. June 4th, 18G5, General Banks was removed from the Gulf Department and General Canby resumed command of the same. The acts of a Nero never created a greater consternation among his subjects than did the following order in the loj'al ranks of Ncav Orleans, who saw in it only the hand of Governor Wells and his advisers, Hugh Kennedy and Glcndy Burke : Headquarters Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, La., June 8, 1865. Sjiecial Orders, No. 152. [Extract.] 17. Mr. Hugh Kennedy is appointed Acting Mayor of the city of New Orleans. Col. ^ Samuel M. Quincy, Y3d U. S. Colored Infantry, is relieved from duty as Acting Mayor, and will rejoin his regiment. He will turn over to Mr. G. Burke, who is authorized to act until the arrival of the Acting Mayor, the duties of the office in which he is now acting. By order of Major-General E. R. S. Canbv, C. H. Dyer, Capt. and Asst.-Adj.-Gen. In league with the Chief Magistrate, with an armed police force at his command, and with the Nero qualifi- cations of Glendy Burke to lead in municipal affiairs GENERAL BANKS DISPLACED. 189 until the arrival of "Lord" Hugh Kennedy, Governor Wells Avas prepared to instigate the hidden policy of the ruler who swayed his iron scepter over the y>oov oppressed people from the throne he had erected to the cause of the rebellion in the Capital of our Republic. Loyalty in New Orleans was made odious ; liberty was disgraced, and Union leaders and reformers were marked for rebel vengeance. Oppression and indignity was the fate of all Avho dared to resist the unjust decree of despots and tyrants. To the proud spirit, patriotic heart, and iron Avill of Dostie this despotism was keen agony. Said a friend : " I went to Dostie's office to consult with him upon the strange state of aifairs in the city. I found him in an agitated state of mind. I suggested ' that had Hahn remained Governor, things might have been differently conducted, and reflected upon Hahn's statesmanship in resigning his office. In his decided manner he remarked, ' Governor Hahn is no prophet ; when he resigned his office as Governor, he could not foresee the murder of Lincoln. He acted, as he thought, in favor of the inter- ests of his State, expecting to labor in the United States Senate for Louisiana. President Johnson is no traitor, but he listens to the advice of corrupt men wiio throng the Executive Mansion. The acts and sayings of John- son have been my study too long to doubt his honesty. "When he appreciates tlie condition of LTnion men in Louisiana our rights Avill be protected.' " The finger of destiny plainly pointed to Dostie as the victim to be sacrificed to traitor hate and tyranny. His public acts and progressive movements made him a con- spicuous mark for those who viewed with contempt his 190 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. labors for liberty and exertions to protect the down trodden and the laboring classes. A true reformer, he bore a name worthy to be placed by the side of a Wilberforce, Lovojoy, Cobden or a Bright. His noble standard of radical Unionism upon which not a blot had been dis- covered was in direct antagonism to the prejudices of the aristocrats and rebels by whom he was surrounded. Jealous of the growing popularity and influence of Dostie, his enemies had cherished their wrath to pour it upon the head of their victim. " Tlic proud spirit of Dostie shall be crushed," said a coalition who had con- spired to plot his distruction. Governor Wells was the leader of that fixction which had determined upon the downfall and death of the patriotic Dostie. The first blow was struck on the 13th of June, 1865, It was the seizure of the Auditor's oflice. As one of the many high-handed acts of despotism connected with the establishment of the iron rule of the Slave power and thuggery in New Orleans during the administration of Johnson, we present the following account of the seizure of the Auditor's office from the True Delta of June 14 : " Few of our citizens are now unaware that the office of Dr. A. P. Dostie, State Auditor, was yesterday entered \)\ a body of the city police, and the Auditor forcibly and summarily expelled. We give below a plain, simple statement of the facts in the case, without com- ment of any kind : "Between 11 and 12 o'clock, several policemen, headed by the Acting Chief of Police, Mr. John Burke, and accompanied by Mr. Julian Neville, entered the Audi- tor's office. Approaching Dr. Dostie, Mi\ Neville pre- sented a paper, after glancing over which the Auditor GENERAL BANKS DISPLACED. 191 i said, 'I shall probably be prepared to comply with this to-morrow morning.' " Upon the Doctor refusing positively to vacate immedi- ately, Mr. Neville turned to Lieut. Burke, and said : ' I now turn this over to your hands,' and left the place. Mr. Burke then informed Dr. Dostie that he was 'in charge of the office ; ' to which the latter replied that ' this is a State office, and I am a State officer, and it will require force to dispossess me.' Mr. Burke replied : ' My orders are to take possession, and I shall certainly do so.' Di-. Dostie asked if he had Avritten orders. Mr. Burke said he had. Dr. Dostie asked to see them, and they were shown him. He then asked for a copy, but Mr. Burke replied : ' I have no orders to let a copy be taken.' " For a moment Dr. Dostie Avent to his private room, and returning, instructed Mr. Kruse — one of his clerks, to take charge of his private papers. He then again protested against the proceedings, and said he would be expelled only by force. In a loud tone of voice he then exclaimed, turning toward the latter gentleman, who was in the office on business : ' If I must go, I wish first to say a few words in presence of Mr. Kruse and Mr. Blake, ' " Here he was interrupted by Mr. Burke, who ad- dressed one of his subordinates, as follows : ' Bliome, put the Doctor out ! ' The policeman advanced and seized Dr. Dostie by the shoulders, with the remark : ' I can handle you like a book.' The Doctor, seeing further resistance useless, thereupon left the office. " The police remained in possesion of the office, re- taining the private letters and papers of the Auditor 192 LIFE OF A. r. DOSTIE. and his clerks, and even some of Dr. Dostie's wearing apparel. Lieutenant Burke went in search of Mr. jSTc- ville, to whom he gave tlie keys, Avith the exception of that belonging to the safe, which he retains, and which he Avill refuse to give up. The Doctor locked the safe while the officers Avere in the outer office. " Dr. Dostie received no notification of his expulsion prior to the arrival of the police. The following is the authority uj^on which Lieutenant Burke acted : "Mayokalty of Neav Orleans, ) June 13, 1865. \ " Lieut. J. Burke, First District Police : " Sir — You will proceed immediately to the office of Auditor of Public Accounts, now in the possession of Mr. A. P. Dostie ; and declared vacant by His Excel- lency, Governor Wells. " You M'ill take possession of the office and the records, and deliver the same at once to Julian Neville, Esq., appointed by the Governor, Auditor ^>ro tempore. " You will see that Mr. Neville, is placed in secure possession of the office. "If physical force is needed, you Avill vise it, and you will commit to prison any individual or party who inter- feres in any degree, in the execution of this order. " (Signed.) G. Burke, Acting Mayor. "After executing the above. Lieutenant Burke made the foUoAving report : " Office of the Chief of Police, ) New Orleans, June 13, 1865. j" " IIo7i. Glendy Burke, Acting Mayor : " Sir — I have the honor to report that in obedience to your order of this date I proceeded, in company Avith Julian Neville, Esq., to the office of the Auditor of Pub- lic Accounts. " Mr. Dostie positively refused to vacate the office, GENERAL BANKS DISPLACED. 193 whereupon I called a policeman to eject him in as c:entle a manner as the circumstances of the case admitted of. " I securely closed the doors, delivered the keys to Mr. Neville, and placed a guard of policemen on the office, with instructions that none but Mr. Neville or his deputies should have access thereto. " Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) j. Burke, Lieut, and Acting Chief of Police. " The following is the order of the Governor referred to by Mayor Burke : [by the goverxor.] State of Louisiajs-a, Executive Department, ) "New Orleans, June 13, 1865. j" _ Whereas, The General Assembly of the State of Lou- isiana, at its last session, did adopt a joint resolution in the words following to wit : [No. 38.] Joint Hesolutioti, Requesting the Governor of the State to see that all laAvs are enforced in the case of all persons holding civil offices under the State who are required to furnish bonds for the performance of their official duties. W/m-eas, Persons are holding and exercising the du- ties of civil offices in the State who have not'turnished bonds as required by law. -Resolved by the Senate and Hones of Representatives in General Assembly Convened, That the Governor of the State be and is hereby requested to take immediate measures to compel all such persons to furnish bonds according to law, and in default thereof to remove such persons from office. Resolved further, That where bonds have been given, subject to the approval of the Governor of the State, he be and is hereby requested to investigate the solvency of all such bonds, and if he shall deem the bond or .s 194 LIFE OF A. P. DOSTIE. honds insnfRcicnt, to require new hcmds to he furnished satisfactory to liim. (Signed) Simeon Belden, Sjieakcr of the House of Representatives. (Signed) Louis Gastinel, Ex-Officio Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate. Approved Marcli 29, 1SG5. (Signed) J. Madisox Wells, Governor of the State of Louisiana. A true co])y : S. Wkotxowski, Secretary of State. And W/iereas, Acting in pursuance of the special autliority conferred