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re-organize the Convention and proceed with business. Mr. Wm. R. Fish was appointed chairman, and Dr. Wm. H. Hire, secretary of the meeting.

The Convention requested Dostic to address them. Said he, "In giving my opinion as to a suitable candidate for the office of Governor of Louisiana, I know of no better Union man-no better anti-slavery man-no better friend of the Administration than Michael Hahn. I believe him to be worthy the important trust the loyal people of Louisiana will place in the hands of their Governor."

A Committee on resolutions presented the following to the Convention:

"Resolved, That we solemnly believe the Union of these States handed down by our revolutionary ancestors, of infinitely more value than any falsely-termed State rights of any sectional institutions, and we deem it our most sacred duty as patriots to transmit it undivided to posterity.

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Resolved, That we as citizens of the United States, as well as of the State of Louisiana, know that the observance of the Union depends on maintaining the supremacy of the Federal Union, and do, on the part of Louisiana, utterly disclaim any pretension to any rights not subservient of that supremacy, and hold her primary allegiance as due to the Government of the United States. Cheers.)

"Resolved, That, regarding the institution of slavery as a great moral, social and political evil, opposed alike to the rights of one race and the interests of the other, and inconsistent with the principles of free government, we hail and desire its universal and immediate extinction as a public and private blessing. (Great applause.)

Resolved, That we desire the principles of this State to be based upon a surer and broader foundation than

the operations of military order, and we will use every means in our power to hasten the day when they shall be embodied in a State Constitution that Louisiana is and shall forever remain a Free State. (Applause.)

"Resolved, That we heartily approve of the plan adopted by General Banks to ensure that result as well as to restore the voice of Louisiana to the councils of the nation. (Cheers.)

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Resolved, That we will support no man as a candidate for office who is unwilling to subscribe to and pledge himself to carry out the principles set forth in the above resolutions."

The resolutions were unanimously adopted.

Michael Hahn was nominated candidate for Governor. The roll of delegates was called, and he was declared the choice of the Convention. A committee was appointed to inform him of his nomination, and request him to state whether he accepted the resolutions adopted by the Convention. His address to the Convention was as follows:

"Free-State men of Louisiana:

"I have only to say to you to-night that the resolutions which I understand have been adopted by you, were read by me to-day, and I approve heartily from the bottom of my heart every sentiment in those resolutions. (Applause.) I have but one pledge to give you, and that is, if elected Governor of Louisiana, so far as it lies in my humble power, there shall not be a slave in this State after the 22d day of February. (Great cheering.)

"I thank you for the distinguished honor you have conferred upon me, and pledge you a faithful performance of the duties that will devolve upon me. I again thank you, and bid you good-night."

Many of Dr. Dostie's friends desired to see him a candidate for some State office. He had declined the nomi

nation of Secretary of State, and State Treasurer at the convention. At a meeting of the Free State Executive Committee, Col. A. C. Hills said: "The name of Dostie I am desirous of having on the Free State ticket. It will add to its strength. We all know his pure record. I request that he be urged by the committee to accept some State office." To this request Dr. Dostie replied, "I regret that I can not comply with your wishes, but I sincerely believe that I can be more useful to the republican party by not having my name on the ticket. I am no office seeker. My mission is to assist in making Louisiana a Free State; I must request you to look elsewhere for a candidate for office."

The arguments of his numerous friends, at last prevailed upon the Dr. to accept the nomination of Auditor of State. He was unanimously nominated by the Free State executive committee for that office. The integrity, firmness, honesty and devotion to principle made the name of Dostie a power in his party. The annexed is an article from the pen of A. C. Hills, editor of the New Orleans Era-one of the Union papers of that city, and a fearless advocate of freedom. "We are gratified to learn that this unflinching champion of the Union cause has, at the earnest request of his numerous friends, consented to accept the nomination for one of the State offices. The State Convention, at its meeting on the 1st instant, named Judge Atocha for the office of State Auditor, but that gentleman has since declined the honor! and the duty of filling the vacancy devolved upon the Executive Committee.

There is scarcely a Union man in this city but fully appreciates and acknowledges the valuable services in

the cause of freedom and patriotism of Dr. A. P. Dostic. He has been repeatedly urged by his friends to accept office, but has strenuously refused to consent. Every man who enjoys the confidence of the Doctor is aware that what he has done for the cause has been at much personal sacrifice, without a desire to be rewarded in any other manner than by seeing the glorious principles for which he is so sincere and efficient an advocate, triumphantly proclaimed in this the State of his adop tion. The acceptance of office is another sacrifice asked at his hands by the friends of a Free State government. With this understanding, he has consented to accept the nomination for Auditor. There was no opposition in the selection by the Executive Committee.

We all know the thoroughness of Dr. Dostie's character. Whatever enterprise he undertakes, receives his earnest attention. Although reluctant to enter upon the political arena, he will labor zealously for the success of the ticket; his inflnence is great, and his name is an element of strength that must insure the success of the nominees of the Free State Union Convention.”

February 10th, 1864, thousands assembled upon Lafayette Square for the purpose of ratifying the nomination of Hahn for Governor, and the other candidates for State Offices.

The following resolutions were adopted:

"Whereas, The State of Louisiana, placed by the act of traitorous men and the supineness of loyal ones in a position of hostility to the United States Government, is now by the success of the national arms and the clemency of the national executive, afforded an opportunity to resume her place in the Federal Union:

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Whereas, A proportion of her citizens, more than

equal to that demanded as requisite by the President's Proclamation of December 8th, 1863, comprising not only those who have always remained loyal, but many others who have returned to their allegiance, are anxious for the renewal of civil government and for that peace of which civil government is the proper representative and national unity the only security; and

Whereas, The barbarous and odious institution of slavery, founded on injustice, fostered by pride and cupidity, a curse alike to the oppressor and the oppressed, has been for more than thirty years a cause of dissension between the different sections of this country, and has finally ripened into the bitter fruit of the existing rebellion; therefore, be it

Resolved, "That in effecting the reorganization of the civil government of Louisiana under the Constitution of the United States, we, the Free State Union party of Louisiana, heartily approve the plan adopted for that purpose by the Commanding General of this department as simple, practicable, and expeditious.

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Resolved, That we fully indorse the Proclamation of Emancipation and all other acts of the President and of the Congress of the United States having for their object the suppression of the rebellion.

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Resolved, That the mere setting free of slaves by the, hand of the military power, we consider only the first step in that moral and political revolution which will not pause until the principle of universal freedom shall be embodied in the fundamental law of the land, and that we, the Free State Union party of Louisiana, recognizing this fact, will use every means in our power to bring about such a reform in the Constitution of this State as will insure to every human being within its borders the indisputable right of personal liberty.

"Resolved, That in the Hon. M. Hahn, the candidate of the Free State party for Governor of Louisiana, we recognize a man fully up to the requirements of the times, identified with the interests of this State, as his

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