New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-16
sERPAGR IN LOUISIANA.

A special commissioner of the War Depart
ment, Mr.. James McKaye, has recently made
and Published an interesting report touching
tho condition Of the emaucipated-or partially
mancipoted-blncks in Louisiana, and their
relations to the Government. Lacking space to
follow him in his historical researches, which
uncover system-not exceptional Instances,
but a systcu.-of awful atrocities, We direct
attention to one or two points OF near and
pressing importance.
Against the system pat in force by Gen.
Banks, We have heretofore protested. Tho
testimony of Mr.. MoKage comes in aid Of our
remonstrance, and Is entitled to the more
weight with the War Department because il is
the manilcstly reluctant evidence Of one Aho
has personal liking for Gen. Banks and strives
to say good words in his behalf, yet sees The
enorlnities inflicted b. his rule on q loyal in
teligent, long-sufIerug people. We quote first
as TO the planters and their views Of the present
condition and future possibilities of Slavery in
Louisiana, and especially as to their willing
ness to yield to al emancipation policy:
"Msuy OF them even rampant to enssvs the negro
than ever before. They make "a, endrsyofs to recover
what they call their negroes They yield 10 the
idea OF freedom only updcr compulIsn MI.y y. MArmou
Of The riches, and extensive sunrPsait' ia the
whole Valley Il tho Mississippi iok Me cath i e2esiane'
tai ressed 10 ,o,k he paatotor ur he corh haze n,
OF, negroes yefuuod 10 hin. ."
a. told planter recently" Gays Col Hans "tha {,
the express OF Banks .hosd b.
educated lie replied thu. shvld teach asroe."
There il much more to the same effect We
cite tho evidence, in order to hold up TO public
view the character Of the men, of the class Of
men, into whose hands the system of Gen.
Banks puts the present and future Of the freed
men. Col. Hanks superintendent of Negro
Labor, says Dir. McKsye, declares it to be biz
deliberate Judgment that If civil government
be established here, and military rule with
drawn, there is the greatest danger that the
negro would become subject TO some form Of
serfdOm." Ingenious Col. Hanks! We can
look forward to no form Of seridom more de-
pressing in its influence on the negro, none
that would mako freedom more difficult to him,
none that would moro obstruct his education
and enlightenment, than that which at this
moment exists ia Louisiana under the orders OF
Gen. Banks and superintendent Of Col. Hanks.
For that system was devised in cooperation with
and for the interest Of the planters, AID not Of
the negro--of the planters, whose character and
hopes are such as are depicted in the foregoing
quOtations-and it is to their benefit that it has
cOnduced practically. The negro bound to the
soil for a year, compelled to work for wages
two-thirds less than he could command in open
market, not permitted to choose his employer
nor 10 have voice in the contract BY which he
becomes bound, exposed to the tyrannous ca
prices Of lifelong Shareholders, entitled to appeal
only TO some PROFESSIONALISM, some captain or
lieutenant who receives the hospitality of
tho planter in order 10 make him an
impartial judge-such is the serfsge which
predominates to-day on the soil OF Lou
isians, and such the temporary suspen-
sion Of absolute Slavery, as the planter believes
from which he shall yot reclaim "his negroes"
into his unchecked control. Does such an
expectation seem incrediblef Listen to this
conversation, reported by the lamented Gen.
wsdsworth:
talked with planter Ia the La Fourche dstct near
Tbibad aurve He said be OF Secession. lie
avowe ed lis hops and expectation that Slavery would be
stored there 10 form said we went away and len
hese people now do you suppose you could reduce them
sssH to sveryr He laughed to the idea that they
could cot. Whs, said te.e who have I'D arms In