Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

home, yet claiming the whole United States as his country, conscious of unswerving loyalty and unconditional patriotism, yet ready to extend the hand of fellowship to all who even at the eleventh hour are willing to resume their allegiance; a man of the people, deeply imbued with the progressive spirit of the age, and ardently devoted to the cause of liberty, his election will be a triumph in which every friend of loyalty and freedom will have reason to rejoice.

“Resolved, That we approve and ratify the nominations of J. Madison Wells, Esq., for Lieutenant Governor, S. Wrotnowski, Esq.; for Secretary of State, Dr. Belden, for Treasury, B. L. Lynch, Esq., for Attorney General, Dr. A. P. Dostie for Auditor, and John McNair, for Superintendent of Public Education."

The 22d of February, 1864—an ominous day for tyranny; an auspicious one for liberty—will be remembered, as the day which gave an impulse to the cause of freedom in Louisiana. It will be revered as the day when a monument was erected to the great Emancipator-the worthy successor of Washington. The events of that day decided the death of Constitutional Slavery in Louisiana.

March 4th, 1864, was the day chosen by the loyal people of Louisiana to express their gratitude for the prospects of enjoying constitutional rights. On that day at early dawn, noon and nightfall-salutes of one hundred guns were fired by batteries of artillery, under the command of Brigadier General Arnold. The salute at sunrise was the opening note of the day's festivities. At the same moment, all the public bells rung out a merry peal in honor of the day. The military turned out in force. Representatives from almost every battlefield were there. Men who had served under Scott, McClellen, Pope, Meade, Grant, Banks, Sheridan and Sher

man-men from the army of the Gulf and the army of the Potomac-the heroes of Chattenooga, Vicksburg, Port Hudson, Lookout Mountain, and Missionary Ridge, assembled together on Lafayette Square to witness the inauguration of the State officers of free Louisiana. The United States navy were there. The brave tars that gallantly stood by Farragut at Forts Jackson and St. Phillip's, rejoiced on that day in the remembrance of their struggles to redeem Louisiana from the power of treason. Flags of every nation were thrown out in every direction. Public and private buildings displayed the national colors. The ships and steamers in the harbor were decked in holiday attire.

From the circular stand, on which the solemnities of the day were held, the immense structure radiated in the form of a semicircle, seat after seat rising up step after step, until more than fifteen thousand seats were formed. At the base of this was the orchestra of five hundred performers, with the fifty blacksmiths that kept time on their anvils like so many real Vulcans. In front and on each side of the stand was another great platform, on which were seated invited guests, distinguished strangers, civil and military dignitaries. We are at a loss for words in which to convey to the reader a just conception of the magnitude of this structure. Nor can we do so in any other way than by remarking that a half mil lion feet of lumber and a ton of nails entered into its construction.

From the centre flag-staff, long garlands of arborvitæ, hemlock, juniper, cedar, pine, and other evergreens reached to the circumference, forming a leafy canopy. Around the centre stand were evergreen wreaths enclos

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.

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

« AnteriorContinuar »