The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-13
Important from New Orleans.
The Labor QucstfOn--Meetfng oil Lou.
isfana Planters--Speech OF Geheral
Banks to the Planters.

isfana Planters-.Speech OF Heheral
Banks to the Planters.
A meeting OF some sixty planters, rep
resenting all the planters in the federal
lines. was held in New Orleans on the 18th
ult.. at which committee was appointed
10 wait upon General Banks and ascertain
definitely if the signing by the planter of
the contract recently promulged for the
employment OF slaves twill secure the re-
turn 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 effected" A committee was APP
pointed 10 make arrangements for the
return OF such slaves as have been ar
rested, and are now DESTROYS to return to
their homes. An attempt was also made
to revive the State laws allowing owners
10 arrest all fugitive blacks; but this, after
discussion, was defeated. The Era date
Deha) says:
Several 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 COM
pei their negroes to labor, they must give
,lp in despair and let their plantations go
Uncultivated."
SPEECH OF GENERAL BANKS.
Subsequently General Banks waited up
on the planters, whom he addressed as fol-
lows
Mr. President and Gentlemen: | GER
tainly am very happy to meet so many OF
the citizens Of Louisiana as | see around
me tonight. do not present myself
here to participate in the proceedings of
this meeting, or to 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 am personally concerned, reluct-
antly here, have published that which l
thought to be my duty to do as an officer
Of the government, coming here under
general instructions in this department.
- am, sir, unable to express my feel
ings in meeting SO many citizens of this
distant part Of our contederacy, so many
OF my tellow-citizens in portion of the
country so far from my home. But am
happy TO believe that in past times we have
lived peacefully and prosperously together,
and that those who are to come after us
viii enjoy the sane peaceful and prosper
Gus intercourse. The names of Jackson
and Taylor are IL, sparably identified with
the history OF tie nation, and there are
no names dearer nan those to the hearts
OF New England and | trust that there
are in your part %. the country, as in mine,
men who will s, lirect the affairs OF the
people, that the East and the West, the
Northeast and 'e Southwest, may feel
that they still have bond in common.
an sure that the government which / rep
resent has no feeling of hostility to the
people here, and that it would be the hap
pest day in our history if the great inter
est Of the country could be united togeth-
er as heretofore [Cries Of good and
loud applause.
- wish to contribute to the extent of
Iny power, to the welfare of this depart
Inent, and to give you the assurance of
my deep and earnest desire to do all
that | can, consistent with my duty, for
the peace, prosperity and happiness of the
people OF Louisiana.
"Gen. Banks retired amid enthusiastic
applause
RESULTS OF THE CONFERENCE.
General BANKS had informed the plant
ers that he would aid them Sin taking the
abandoned plantations on the same terms
offered by the Government Quarter1naster.
He gave them also q note to the Quarter
master, who stated that everything that
can properly be done will be to restore lost
negroes to their masters"
The result OF the various conference APP
pears to be entirely satisfactory to the
planters, who adopted the following reso-
luton:
ReSolred, That we the planters of the First
and Second Congressional Districts ofLouisiana.
will honestly earnestly and pcrsistently COOP
crate with Gen. Banks and Governor Shepley
in carrying into full effect the contract into
which we have entered with the SeQucstration
Committee.
SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS.
An order issued by Gen. BANKS explains
the system Of labor adopted for the year,
and planters asserting thereto are to be
assisted as far as practicable without vo-
lence, in inducing their negroes to return.
The negroes are to be secured sufficient
and wholesome food by the officers of the
Government and a 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, medi-
cal attendance and such instruction as may
be furnished them.