opinion of this Board, contributed more than those of any individual towards restoring the public schools to loyalty and patriotism, and that we regret his retirement from active co-operation with us in our official labors.

"Resolved, That the Secretary be instructed to forward a copy of these resolutions to Dr. A. P. Dostie. "A true copy from the minutes.

"F. O. SCHRODER, Secretary."

Dr. Dostie's successful efforts in making treason odious in the public schools, made the enemies of the Union in New Orleans rampant in propagating slander against his personal truth and superior excellence. But his patriotic achievements will bear exposure to the scorn of rebellious spirits, whose tenacious calumnies not only followed him through his labors in the public schools, but in all the reforms wherewith his name was honorably associated. The extent of indignity to which Dr. Dostie was subjected, 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 liberty:

"All hail to thee, Dr. ! may'st thou always prove true,
Patriotic and proud of the red white and blue;
Do all that thou canst for the flag that once waved
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Stout hearts fight against it-they'll rally around:
The stars and the stripes they'll haul to the ground;
In the dust they will trail it, and thee they 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 following lines, a beautiful acrostical rejoinder to that of his enemies:

"Amid the stunted forest trees,
Perennial grows the stately oak,
Defying all the storm-king's power,
Or the fierce lightning's deadly stroke!
So thou, brave man, 'mid traitors' scorn,
Traced the white flame of loyalty!

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 appointed by Major General Banks, Commander of the Department of the Gulf of which commission Dr. Dostie was an active member-reveals the following then existing state of things:

"In many of the schools in this city, persons are instructing 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 with those now in armed rebellion 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 openly instill the poison of rebellion and treason into their young minds! The thing would seem impossible, but there the record of facts 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 magnanimity 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 pursuing their vocation."

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 in that work I should meet some of my old personal friends, which the rebellion had made my enemies, and that the interview would not be a pleasant one. It was with no spirit of revenge or vindictive feeling that I approached my former friends, but I will never shrink from the duty of exposing the work of traitors-not if all my friends become my enemies." Dr. Dostie's unselfish acts often gained him the friendship of those who differred with him. Many of the most bitter rebels speak 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, he went several times to the office 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 daughter suffer for the acts of the husband and father? Bring me the proofs of treason and I will expose the perpetrators. They have assured me that they 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 fatal one, in my estimation, to personal character. In regard to that 'crime of crimes,' I must not act upon suspicion, but upon evidence.”

CHAPTER VIII.

THE CHURCHES OF NEW ORLEANS.

The Churches of New 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 Judases-betraying their Saviour, their Government. The names of Palmer, Leacock and Goodridge, are written with pens dipped in blood upon the tombstones of thousands of misguided youths, who listened 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 laws 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 reform. 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

consciences of its ministers, and treason lay like a dark pall upon their guilty souls. That power in the Churches of New Orleans, that defied the United States Government, was temporarily overthrown by General Butler. Loyal Christian ministers were invited to fill the pulpits of disloyal clergymen-men who would not advocate the divinity of slavery, but the charities of Christianity. Soon convened loyal congregations to listen to their prayers for the overthrow of Slavery and treason, 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 influence that opposed civil and religious liberty, the new turn in Church affairs, was a source of rejoicing. Every Sabbath morning he might be seen entering the Episcopal Church, formerly occupied by Dr. Goodridge, to worship with the reverence 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 attached. Said he, "I always pray in faith for President Lincoln, for I feel in my inmost soul that the God of Nations will sustain the noble acts of our Chief Magistrate." 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 conversation with a friend, he remarked, "I believe that Christ died for all. I trust in God-the great Ruler of Events has placed before us his laws. If we are guided by them, they will lead us to happiness here and hereafter. That is my creed and my religion."