New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-18
TIE FREE STATE MOVEMENT IN
LOUISIANA.
Interesting Statement by the Agent OF the
Free State Committee.

A meeting of prominent gentlemen of Boston
and its vicinity held on Wednesday, to hear sae-
mcnt from Alfred Jerys Agent Of the Free State Cen
cral Committee OF louisiana, and 10 consider what
lion should DO taken In aid of the efforts Of that Com
itee TO restore Louisiana 10 the Trio, MS Free State
by the action of her people TheophiluS Parsons was
chosen President and John S. Bln,chford Secretary
Mr. Jervis began by referring 10 the anomalous con.
ditiOn Of New0reaHs when General Butler arrived in
that city. There Yves great Union feeling, bat IT bad
been suppressed; I.ominent Unon H en-, had been
WHO dared TO express their opinions were impressed or
hanged. lie knew only thirteen Union men, at that
unicr strength did not dare to show itself. Under
these circum stances, the Union Associations were
formed and the members were necessarily strangers to
one another.
These associations spread very rapidly in Ncw-0r-
leans through ali the municipalities in sixty days the
members numbered 2.5OC But the question OF Anti
Slavery was not mooted. II coon began 10 be found
that the Rebellion could not be destroyed without Grad
cating slavery and that Louisiana could be restored
to the Union only Free state. Accordingly. the
speaker, with q few Others, set about remo0ong the
nssocatons mon the AntSavery ard Free state basis
This movement met with great success, so that III two
months more than 1900 men were upon NE res Those
Union men who went for rcconsuuetlng the Union with
Slavery formed association, and had their head
quarters in Canal street They wsIo rich and consisted
chiefly OF planters.
The Free State associations are increasing In other
parts OF Louisiana Agents sent from NeH-OrleArA
end secret meetings rss held in different parishes
and when the organization is sufficiently strong nc
cloak OF secrecy is thrown OF Each assocstion a'ter
reaching certain strength s entitled to delegate IN
the Free state Committee Of louisiana This has nov
Is members. The intention Of tie Committee ,ofter u
fairly represents tho poQuG voice of tie state Is oci
Convention for the formation OF Constitution pro-
hibting Slavery forever. Hr Jeryis stated, snDse-
qrently, In reply 70 question put by Collector - H.
Goodrich that II the could bc procured that were
necessary Louisiana would bo in tAe Union Free
State before days from the t Of the present month
Everything that tie Free State Associations do is
through the military government Gen. Banks care
fully examined the constitution % tie organization, ard
said that il met lis entire approval President Lincoln
had urged immediate and vigorous aoIon ~ these so
cieties aad Secretary Chase had written letter. warm
ly approving OF their course. .
The VOte Of Louisiana IN le60 was about spO0o |
Thrfyone regiments left the State before Gen. Butler
came AMI since that time red conscrpiion has been
enforced IN section OF Tie STATE. There a4e not
probably % 600 voters N Louisiana NJ the pres Ut TINE
The Free state Associations already have more than
tenth Of the number Of votes east 10 leo AID from
oneQuerer 70 oneth o. the whole number OF voters
now residing within the limits OF Louisiana.
But II is the object OF the Free state men 70 make
their movement popular oBo, embracing large ma
joty of the people The planters took tie state cut Of
the Union without the permission Of the mass of yocrs
and as socn rs General Banks Assumed sway few c.
them met at hotel In New Orleans and pretending 20
speak for the whole community. endeayosec 70 take
the State back again into tie Union with slayehold-
ing Constitution They sent representatives 10
ington 70 sead President lincoln as ~ tho real opiI'
ion Of the white ctisens Of Louisiana
MI. Jeryis gave 9 very interesting Account OF the
means used by the Free Steto Associations 10 ndoc-
tTinlte the poor whites with AntiSiavery sentiments
With regard 10 the women Q. New Orleans-vLom Gen.
erl Butler taught such Wholesome lessonebe toe OF
feeling among them Is Low strongly FOR tas Union ana
Arti-alavery.
Tho singular facts were mentioned thht there are
$40 registered enemies Of the United States in New
ard tie head OF the fire department esstsed enc
my Of the country On syowed secesAonist