Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-09-08

LOUISIANA.



arc rejoicing at the return Of Peace, and are
happy in the return Of those few, whom the
ravages Of war has spared, and from whom
they have been so long separated. The cur
tain has disappeared before the last closing
scenes Of this war-drama, and in panoramic
view we see the SCARED and war-worn heroes
quietly resuming the cultivation of the arts
OF peace But the danger is not passed
Although the noble ship OF State has bravely
outriddeu the gale Of treason, and safely pass
ed the breakers that for four years threaten
ed to destroy her, yet there are sfnken rocks
in the harbor, which will require skillful
pilot TO discover. The" IrJepressibLe Confiot'
has not yet been decided. Although the SUI
premacy of the Union has been maintained,
and her national banner shielded from dishon-
or, war is yet to be waged, and battles fought
in the which more than blood will be spilled
or valuable lives lost. The late rebels are
returning defeated but not humbled, or psni-
tent. What they have failed to obtain by
the arbitration of the sword, they now openly
declare their intention Of obtaining by other
MEANS none the less tressonable, ,--perj juring
themselves through and by the only safeguard
Of a Republican Government--the ballot box.
But says my friend "A MIR. q. has
come home-resumed his allegiance to the
Government. aud have no doubt is at heart
truly loyal man. Let me see While on
a short pleasure trip on the Grey Eagle a
party of gentlemen were gathered ON the man
cabin deck, and the conVersation turned upon
the " Amnesty Oath" Yes said Nj. y"
| managed to swallow the pW-it checked
some. but worried it down by the assistance
Of FIVE or six gin-cock tails But why, said
one. did you take it, If so disagreeable " 10
teach these damned blue coated Yankee New
comers, that theirs is dear bought victory,
and although defeated by their hired minions
aud rubbish in the field, we are bound to
come off victorious at the ballot box" This
specimen Of a union man is protected in the
utterance of sucn sentiments, because he holds
nigh official position under the Free State
Government Of LOUISIANA. This is almost the
universal feeling amjng those who are return
ing from the rebel army. Every impedlment
is thrown in the way of carrying out the Or
ders Of the Government. The Free Labor
System has been, and is, pronounced a fail
ure,-simply because the planters make itso.
The great wall throughout the South 10, the
negro will not work, except By compulsion.
To a casual observer this may appear very
probable, and many Northern people in read
ing the various accounts of the condition of
the Frenchmen and Planters here, have no
doubt formed wrong impressions. In re-
cent letter forwarded by LIT. Suckney of the
Freedman's Bureau to enc OF our Senators,
and which appeared III your colums, he treats
at some length upon this question, but for
want OF space as he tells me failed to mention
some Of the abuses practiced upon the negro
in the capacity Of labor.
The following items, which were brought
to my personal observation officially, will
readily explain and show the means employ
ed to render the Labor System ineffective,
and bring discredit upon the Government.
IN one plantation, in parish adjoining this
city, one hundred field hands died during the
last summer from being fed on condemned
commissary stores. On another, over one
hundred hands we're docked one months pay
each, because kind Providence permitted Il TO
rain that number of days IN the year, thereby
depriving the planter of their labor. Oh an
other the laborers we're compelled 10 sign
contract for a certain per cent of the crops.
AS we all know, the crops failed, and at the
end Of the year they were left without any
recompense for their labor, yet they were
forced to give similar contract for this year,
with every prospect of like result. Again,
on Others, blood hounds are still kept, and for
every offence committed the culprit is led out
into the field, naked, aud made the prey Of
these fOur-footed monsters until their flesh is
torn in snTeds. so nigh, go on enumefa.
ting acts Of barbarity almost withou; NUM-
ber.-but enough. This is but faint pic
ture OF the present condition of the free dmen
here. However much they may attempt to
conceal it and laud the magnsnimity of the
planter in glowing terms, these are glazing
facts, too papable to the observing eye, facts
which will stand out to the view Of the un-
pref adiced, and which will stamp with black
est Infamy the name OF nine planters out Of
ten throughout the State and the South. The
time has come in which these things Can no
longer be concealed. Every effort is being put
forth to render the operation of the kmanci-
patton Proclamation. and all other ordinances
Tor the promotion Of the welfare of the col
ored people, a failure, that influence may
be brought to bear at the next Congress to
have the negro returned TO his former po-
sitlon, for at least a term of years. Under
the present auspices, Union men here tremble
for their country They see whining syco-
phants, and impenitant traitors just from the
field, knocking at the doors OF our Congress
sional Halls with every assurance OF admis-
sion, while their hands and garments are still
dripping with the blood of treason. The
opposition TO the oolored schools is being
gradually overcome in this city, but in many
places in the State the teachers have to be
protected by an armed guard. Rev. DR..
Pesme, of New York city has been indefa-
tigabe in his labors, and with the assistance
of several other Influential philanthropists