The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-12-02

hKEOKUK,I IOWA: =
SATURDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 2.
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The Union Men Of the South.

HOW RECONSTR cTION AFFECTS THEM.
Rssn.. zx dk5saaD. 1'sAA Hr1
Lsuisiana, An Exenbasr 81 ths whole.
correspondence Of the Chicago Republican.
New OkLrASs, La, Nov. 20, 1855.
The recent triumph Of loyalty at the polls
in the north is hailed with exultation BY Union
men here. Il is like the lifting Of the dark
clouds in the northern sky, presaging bright
sunshine tomorrow. As yet AL il gloom
with as. 81 h, the collapse Of de rsLenioa
has brought no good to loyal men of the south.
Some of us had supposed that on the success
of the Federal arms, and in the day of rehabil-
itation, loyal men, those who had adhered to
the government 10 the hotr Of her extremity.
would be preferred, recognized, and honored,
at least, when anybody was to be honored. 1t
never once entered our thoughts that, in re-
constructing the disorganized South, undevia-
ting loyalty would be . serious -dasQuali6ea-.
ton, md that the work would be committed
to those who had distinguished themselves -
traitors. But to-day the ugly fact confronts
us, that there is wide gulf between our ex-
pectations and the reality. .5y.s<
Consider the character Of the present civil
authorities in Louisiana. Some weeks ago,
the democrats in this State met in convention
and nominated their candidates for State ofi-
GERS and for the lower house Of Congress. In
that convention the speakers piled encomiums
upen the rebel soldery, and shot arrows
dipped in gall at the patriots of Louisiana,
who perer bowed the knee to Baal. One
speaker ventured to say that he supposed
that no one in that assembly would now deny
that secession was both crime and blunder,
involving. as il did, so much bloodshed. In
stantly the assembly was reused to fury, and
the speaker was compelled to apologize
Such was the spirit of the assembled democ.
rscy Of Louisiana
There is large Union element here-a re-
publican party in fact But the reins OF State
government having been put into the hands of
rebels by the action of Governor Wells, this
party did not, as they could not with any hope
of success take part in the election. con-
sentative Union party was organized, compos-
ed chiefly of loyal men, but differing somewhat
from the Republicans on the mode of recon
structon. This part entered the canvass.
The colored men elected delegate to repre-
sent them in Washington this winter. Their
voice was for Judge H. c. Yarmouth, who
received over 1S,OO0votes.
The election took place on Monday the 9th
inst, and the Democratic candidates we're
elected without exception. Only two of the
whole number have ever professed to be Union
men. Wells, though protesting Unionist,
bought the Democratic nomination for COVER
nor by appointing, during the previous term,
rebels TO Office throughout the State--not 3
few of them with their rebel uniforms still on,
and with their paroles in their pockets. Bar
ker, elected TO Congress, took the oath during
the administration Of General Butler in this
department but he has never, even since then,
been accepted rs a Union man. All the 9TH
ers are such as have rendered signal services
TO the rebellion when to these ara added the
city authorities, we may say that our rulers
in Louisiana are white washed secessionists
some who signed the ordinance Of seees-
sion; some who were members of vigilance
committees, charged, four years ago, with the
duty of hunting down Union men; and some
whose skirts are dripping with the blood of
martyred patriots. Look upon the seats of
power here and there is not one whose occu-
pant can lay his hand upon his heart and swear
that he never lifted either his hand or tongue
against the Union.
Yet such a result only naturally follows the
system of reconstruction inaugurated here.
The disbanded armies of Lee, Johnston, and
Taylor poured thousands ofrebel soldiers upon
the territory Of Louisiana. They had been alb
sent for years, long enough in times of peace
to disfranchise them for one year; absent, too,
fighting the government, exerting all their
powers to wreck and ruin the republic. But
they returned with psrdons in their pockets !;
they were therefore registered, and they there.
fore voted, and OF course for men of their own
blood.
While on the same day, Nov. 6, 1866, on
which these returned rebel soldiers voted.
the Union soldiers of the LIST Louisiana white
regiment we're excluded from the polls. The
commissioners Of election registered the
votes Of men who had in law, DISTINGUISHED
themselves, and had been waging war upon
the nation; but refused to register the votes
Of loyal Louisiana soldiers who had been de-
Tending the nation. The man whose arm is
lost in deeds of treason notes.-the man whose
arm is lost in deeds of patriotism is pro-
scribed
But these are not all Of our calamities
The freedom of speech is to be denied us.
AS before stated, a republican party exists
here. Its numbers are now respectable aud
increasing every day, an dts leaders are men
of intelligence, integrity, and generous i'm
pulses. They have been recently threatened
on the streets, and in the city papers. Even
the New Orleans Times, a professedly
conservative journal, denounced them as SIN
cendiaries and assassins," and has charged
them with treason against the people," And
the Southern Star, vtuperous rebel sheet,
has threatened them with Judge Abel. Said
Judge presides over the first district fcrimi-
nall court. by appointment of our loyal Gov
Wells. In his charge to grand Jury few
days ago, he alluded 70 an act Of the general
assembly, approced 14th Of March, 1S3O-in
other words, the black code of Louisiana
and, in connection Herewith, spoke of GER
tain adventures who teach the negroes in.
subordination to the laws of the State by in
structing them that they have right to vote.
etc., which they know to be in direct violation
of the laws of the land He, however, adds
that ''the proclamation of the President aud
general orders of the commanding generals
of this department, may have so far affected
the laws on this subject as perhaps to render
It proper to take no action until the subjec,
has undergone review by the legislature. ;,
This is clearly an uplifting of the rod. The
black code is still in force. Our lips are vet
sealed ty ta,ci Ifthis regime prevails, it NAV
well be inquired what have We gained by
success in the field =?
Now, we cannot avoid thinking that the
process of recognizing State governments n
the South could have been conducted In :
manner that would have made loyalty a nece,
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