Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-03-06
LEADER.
FRIDAT afoRNINg. .nIABcH Q, 1sss.


We have made notice Of the efforts that
we're being fnade at New Orleans and Vi
cinity, TO harmonic the interests Of both
the planters and the freed slaves The
latest advices from that city report further
progress. a meeting Of some sixty plant
ers vas held on the 18th ult, at which
committee was appointed to wait upon
General Banks and ascertain definitely if
thssigning BY the planter of the contract
recently promulgated for the employment Of
slaves aBin secure the return Of negroes
bound by said contract to the plantations
to which they are bound as labOrers, and
by whose agency their return is to be eff
feeted.T A committee was appointed to
make arrangements for the areturn Of
such slavesas have been arrested, and are
nsW desfrous to return to their homes An
attempt was also made to revive the State
laws allowing owners to arrest all fugitive
blacks; but this, after discussion, was de-
fested. The Bra Qate 'Delta) says;
Hsevsral Of the speakers confessed their
total inability to compel their negroes to
Work-their utter and entire dependence
upon the Government for measures to Sc
cure the cultivation Of their plantations.
Indeed, they went so far as to affirm, with
great unanimity, that unless the command
ing General would positively agree to
compel their negroes to labor, they must
give up in despair and LET their plantations
60 -unoultiEatedn -
Oaths 10th, General Banks having been
waited upon BY the committee to ssoertain
if the contractagreement would secure
the return Of negroes, replied that his idea
was that the planters had generally signed
the agreement, and that it was his inten-
ton, as far as the laws Of the United States
and his Instructions permitted, TO carry out
the arrangement Il was a work which
would require some time, and the planters
must have little patience in matter of
sOmueh importance.
It was stated to General Banks
that negroes had been enlisted who
had been at work on the plantations
and he said it should cease. The
conclusion Of the committee was that the
General would faithfully carry out the ar
rangement, and that only time was required
for its success.
SPEECH OF GENERAL BANKS.
Subsequently General Banks wsited
upon the planters whom he addressed as
follows;
" Mr.. PREsIDEET AND GENTLEMEN /
an certainly very happy to meet so many
Of the citizens Of Louisiana as see around
me tonight. I do not present myself here
to participate in the proceedings of this
meeting, CT 10 take any part in the
discussion OF the subjects which have
brought you together. Charged with i'm
portant duties by my government, and, so
far as l an personally concerned, reluct-
antly here, have published that which !
thought it 10 be my duty TO do as an officer
Of the government, coming here under
general instructions in this Department.
AZ am, sir, unable to express my feel
ings In meeting so many citizens of this
distant part Of our confederacy, so many
Of my fellow-eitizens in a portion Of the
country 50 far from my home But am
happy to believe that in past times we
have lived peacefully and prosperously to-
gether, and that those who are to come
after US will enjoy the same peaceful and
prosperous intercourse. The names Of
Jackson and Taylor are inseparably iden-
titled with the history Of the nation, and
there are no names dearer than those to
the hearts Of New England, and 1 trust
F14-N -
as in mine, men who will go direct the af-
fairs Of the people, that the East and the
West, the Northeast and the Southwest,
may feel that they still have a bond in
common. an sure that the government
which represent has no feeling Of hos
tiiity to the people here, and that it would
be the happiest day in our history If the
great interests Of the country could be
united together as heretofore. ICries Of
good and loud applause.
81 wish TO contribute 10 tbs extent of
my power 10 the welfare Of this depart
ment, and to give you the assurance ofmy
earnest desire to do all that can, consist
ent with my duty, for the peace, prosperity
and happiness Of the people of Louisiana.
General Banks retired amid enthusi-
astic applause"
A order issued by General Banks ex-
plains the system Of labor for the year,
and planters asserting thereto are to be
assisted as far as practicable, without viO-
lence, in inducing their negroes to return.
The negroes are to be secured sufficient
and wholesome food by the officers of the
Government, and share Of the crops they
produce Those not thus engaged will be
employed on the public works without
pay, except in the way of food, clothing,
medical attendance, and such instruction
as may be furnished them.
An order has been issued by General
Banks, forbiddiEg the taking away Of ne
grOes from the plantations, by any officer
or other person in the United States, with
out authority from heaequarters.
We have no space in this issue for COM
ments which suggest themselves upon this
subject Irlis7.as- tHaH
Remarkable Statement.