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ing the coat of arms of the several States richly emblazoned on heraldic shields. Across the front there hung like a veil a long line of signal flags, both those used in the naval service and the mercantile marine.

Around the outer circle fifty cannon stood in battery; from these, wires led to a telegraphic instrument on the music stand at which Captain Chas. S. Buckley presided. Not only did Captain Buckley fire the cannon, but by the same instrument he rang all the bells in the city that were required to keep in unison with the music. From the centre of the stage a large banner was displayed with the arms of Louisiana richly emblazoned thereon.

Each of the entrances to the Park was adorned with festoons of evergreens, and together the national colors wreathed in fantastic shapes.

An immense semi-circular amphitheater has been raised for the accommodation of the numerous schools, and the children began to arrive about 9 o'clock, and by 10 the vast space devoted to them was completely occupied by gay faces with smiling looks. In front of the children was placed a circular platform, for the Governor and those who were to surround him. From the centre of this platform arose a flag-staff bearing the national flag, and a ring suspended around the staff at about half-mast, from which was stretched, in circular form, ropes entirely covered with evergreens, the other extremity of the ropes being fastened to the surrounding trees. These ropes were profusely decorated with numerous flags, of various descriptions and hues, from the shipping.

ENTRANCE OF THE GOVERNOR AND SUITE.

The Governor and officers met at the City Hall, about

10 o'clock, and at a quarter before 11 proceeded to the Square in company with the distinguished military officers and others.

MUSIC.

HAIL COLUMBIA.

By eight thousand school children.

THE OATH

ADMINISTERED TO OFFICERS.

The oath of office was then administered to the Governor elect, in the presence of the Judges of the Supreme Court, by Hon. Judge Durell.

MUSIC.

STAR SPANGLED BANNER.

By eight thousand school children.

THE INAUGURAL

ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR HAHN.

MUSIC.

ANVIL CHORUS, FROM "IL TROVATORE."

Which was performed by the full band, accompanied by 50 time-beaters upon anvils and fifty pieces of artillery.

66

ADDRESS.

BY MAJOR GENERAL BANKS.

PRAYER.

BY REV. MR. HORTON.

Almighty God, our Creator and our Preserver: We have too much to thank Thee for and too much to ask Thee for upon this present delightful occasion. Words are inadequate to express the gratitude that fills our hearts as we look upon this scene spread out before the

gaze of these masses and before the eye of the God of the Universe, lighted by the effulgence of His glory.

"O God, we thank Thee that Thy love has abounded unto this people; that Thy good providence has been extended over this great nation. We thank Thee that Thou hast made our nation great and glorious among the nations of the earth. We thank Thee for all the past. We thank Thee even for this record of blood which Thou hast required of us; because we believe that from this baptism of blood we shall rise to a higher and holier position before Thee and among the nations of the earth.

"O God, we thank Thee for the pleasant auspices of this present occasion: that Thou hast permitted Thy most gracious smiles to fall upon us as here we have created anew the form and empire of the law over this State, with all its rich and fertile territory, with all its brave sons and fair daughters, to honor Thy service in the future.

"O God, we pray Thee to enable the officers that have been inaugurated to-day, faithfully to observe the obligations they have taken upon themselves. Aid and direct them in the faithful performance of their respective duties, and let Thy blessings rest upon them while they continue faithful to their several trusts.

"O God, we pray Thee now, as in the culminating of these exercises, we go out from this place to our respective abodes, that the present may prove only a fit symbol of that glory and that blessing that shall crown the history of this returning State.

"O God, we thank Thee for the blessings of the mild rule which we have received even at the hands of the

We

military ruler that has been appointed over us. thank Thee for the beneficent government of one who has been appointed over us in a semi-military position, whose rule has been one of integrity and patriotism.

"We pray that Thy blessing may rest upon these Thy servants, who have been charged with the performance, and who have assumed the trusts which a confident people have reposed in them.

"We pray, further, that under the shadow of the government which may be organized, free institutions, public education and religion may prosper and flourish for all future time, even until the coming of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all its power and glory in this beautiful land that Thou has given to our common country.

"May Thy richest blessing rest upon those whose business it is to train the minds of these children and upon those little ones whose voices have given us the national anthems on this occasion.

"May Thy blessings rest upon the Executive of these United States in the further and future discharge of the onerous duties of his position, and grant that when another year shall have passed, and we are again called upon to place one in the highest position of authority and power in the gift of a free people that it may be to witness a complete and final destruction of the rebellion in every State, and that the whole people of the nation may feel that as a nation we shall be one and inseperable through all coming time.

"We ask it in the name of Thy dear Son, to whom, with the Spirit, we would ascribe all honor and power, world without end. Amen."

CHAPTER XII.

LOUISIANA CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1864.

Three things were evident to the reflecting minds of those who were interested in the political affairs of Louisiana in 1864. That the revolutionary movement advanced step by step to the complete restoration of the rights of suffering humanity; that it assailed tyranny and THAT aristocracy which sprang from despotic slavery, and that the social and political emancipation to which events pointed, would give to all the power to speak and act, according to the rights which emanate from true Liberty. It was a revolution in right-a revolution in ideas-a revolution in facts. The form of slavery was no longer visible, but it had left its foot-prints upon the Constitution of the State and the black code lay like a bloody pall upon it, a disgrace to the Nation and its Government.

On

On the 28th of March, 1864, an election was held, and delegates appointed to a convention to be held for the revision and amendment of the State constitution. the 1st of April the convention met at Liberty Hall. Much has been said and written against the members of that convention. There were corrupt men in that Assembly. There was a Judas among the twelve Apostles; there was an Arnold among our Revolutionary

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