Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-02-24


Dear journal While walking down tho
lovee to-day, noting the arrivals and depaf-
lures, and the general business Of the day
was led to compare the New Orleans Of to-
day with that Of four or six years ago. Ia
no light could she be placed in which she
would be recognized, except from a physical
standpoint. In conversation with an old gray
haired citizen Of the place, who Joined me in
my stroll on the wharf, he told me in sub
stance something like the following
At the commencement Of this struggle be-
tween Liberty and Slavery, "thuggery was
permitted to stalk abroad in open day to do
its devilish deeds, and the arm Of the civil
authority was powerless to prevent il. The
ballot box was under the complete control Of
the veriest set Of out-throats that ever walked
the earth. The Sabbath was Jay of general
recreation, and the willing votsries Of fashion
thronged the race-courses and theatres. Bill
lard saloons and gambling houses were
crowded to overAowing To-day, law and
order prevails and the DEGREES Of justice are
given without fear Of danger or assassination
The ballot box, type of the voice Of the
people, is respected, and under the control Of
law-abiding citizens. BY the wisdom and
irmness Of the Commanding General, not a
gambling house is kept in the city, and all
places Of amusement are closed on the Sab
bath. The business Of the city is reyiying
under the new trade regulations, and is al.
most entirely controlled by northern capital
lists, and Yankee energy and brain is fast Civ
ing an impetus and stability to commercial
affairs never before experienced in the city.
Socially and intellectually, as well as moral
ly an commercially,is l. uisians bound to GO
ahead By referring to the noted ordnance
styled the d" black code of Louisiana il will
be found that no person held as a slave was
permitted to learn to read, and any person
found guilty Of attempting to learn them
would suffer the penalty Of the law by hang
ing. Thanks TO those loyal, self-sacrifcing
ladies who have brayed so many dangers and
hardships, and engaged in this field of labor,
at the present time upward of twenty thou
sand coored children are attending the mis-
sion schools in the State established by the
Board Of Education. And not on.y children,
but men and women Of all ages throng to the
free schools. The bread cast upon the
waters will return again after many days, in
creased an hundred fold" Passing through
that part of the city which was formerly the
principal slave mart, / saw in large Roman
letters on the side of four-story brick struc-
ture Fosters Slave Mart" The last two
words had been partially effaced by coat Of
paint, as though, being ashamed of its unholy
calling, it had covered its face with veil to
shield 1t from the gaze Of the passers by. 1t
has been used as prison Tor conhning rebel
sympathizers, who we're guarded by colored
soldiers. | was informed by an officer who
was formerly in charge, that his men had often
stood guard over their old masters, who had
repeatedly bought and sold them from the
same building. Something of difference in
social position Sever Il months since mem
toned the fact of hundreds of soldiers being
sent to places of confinement for petty mill
tary ences, by noted rebel sympathlzer,
thereby weakening our forces, and disgracing
many noble men. 1t was quite sharply criti-
cised at the time, and | forbore mentioning
the subject again until | could get more of
the iacte in the case. These now have be-
fore me, and my principal object in giving
them publicity is to do justice to hundreds
of brave men who have been unjustly con-
demned. While Judge A. A. Atocha presi-
ded over the Provost Court there we're sent
to confinement for three or Ave years, or for
term OF enlistment, at hard labor with ball and
chain, over twelve hundred soldiers, for often
a regimental court martial. OF this number
upwards of eight hundred have been released
and are now doing duty with their commands,
and the contemplate specimen of humanity
that caused their disgrace is now before
military commission to snsWer for his unlaw-
full, and, might say reasonable acts. You
naturally inquire, and the question has often
been asked me, why was not this matter
brought to the notice OF the commanding
general at the time. In answer | can only
say,-and this, too, without any disrespect to
Maj jor General Banks, than whom more
able statesman is not-that unfortunately for
the soldiers at that time, civil and military
matters were getting slightly mixed in
this Department, and " reconstruction " had
the same effect on the Generals brain as did
the thirty-three dollar brandy" on the
Louisiana State Convention, thereby preclu-
ding the possibility of an Insignificant matter
claiming his attention.
Since Con. Canby's convaloscence the move
ment of troops indicates that active operations
will soon be commenced in this department.
What the objective point is, future operations
will disclose. This is the height of the hunt
ing season in this section, and loads of teal
and canvas backs are daily brought into the
city for table use but although paymssters
in abundance have entered the lists as ANA
teur sportsman, nary green back have they
been able to show among the spoils for the
last six months.
Hoping to see your intelligent face often,
| remain yours, q. w. +. Jr