The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-11-01

The Disturbed Condition Of the Freedmen

The Disturbed Condition OF the tTeedInen
We alluded in Yesterday issue to the apprehensons
existing amongst many OF the citizens OF northwestern
I Louisiana in regard to a contemplated Instruction
amongst the negro population. We cannot justly APP
preciae in the city the feelings of insecurity existing
amongst the people the country. 1he Wlte popuIa
ton are almost wholly unarmed Acknowledging, IN
GOOD faith their allegiance to the United states gov
eminent and desrious BY their acts, to impress lis
arents with an evidence of submission to It's author
itr the citizens have very generally comped Win al
the regulations which these agents have established
amongst them The result is, that the white population
are disarmed, and cannot without violation OF exist
ing regulations provide any Of resisting violence
which may be offered to them by any portion OF the
population which may be melted to instruction.
In reference to the negro population on the contrary
our information IS that they generally well provided
with the best revovers and in many with other
arms A gentleman recently from of the northern
parishes reports that the negroes in that section 90
constantly armed and occasion great uneasiness and
dread to the white population.
If the negroes had been left to themselves the kindly
relations existing between them and their former mas
ters would probably have never been disturbed. The
new system of labor wead have been lnauguTated with
feeling ON the part of the citizen that he must yield
TO the inevitable necessity of emancipation and with
disposition the part OF the negro TO receive employ
ment from his former master, between whom ana NM
self existed bond of attachment which can only 9e
appreciated by those who have grown up IN the SOUTH
and witnessed its existence. But mlschIevous people
from other sections have sedulously ucucaed IN te
negro's mind feeling of dstrust and dislike for souh
err men. They urge the negroes not TO be content
with freedom alone, but to assert their claims TO the
freedmens bureau active member ofthe uniTer-
sal suffrage party lent his assistance to spread this
feeling of dissatisfaction Without any authority OF
law the agents Of the party have understand very
thoroughly procured the registration by their secret
commissioners of most of the negroes in the State with
view to holding separate election for their own can
idares From this action, there necessarily arises IN
the mind of the ignorant negro, belief that he Is al
ready entitled the right Of franchise claimed for him
by these revoutonsts; and feeling that freedom implies
entire license he is disposed to assert his claims IN the
most violent manner. The presence of an organised
body of negro soldiers dispersed through the different
parishes the general dsarmng of the white population
and the military rule them give evidence
to the negros mind that he himself the special object
of the nations care, and that his most unreasonable
claims win be enforced by the government which has
given him his freedom. Already there exists In his
mind belief which occasloned the recent circular from
the eedmens bureau that the coming first of January
will be day for holding high carnival over the division,
amongst henegroes of the spos ofther former masters
We have reason TO think that from these various
causes there exists amongst the freedmen general
feeling of discomfort and expectancy liable at any time
to break out into instruction. There is correspond
ing feeling of apprehension on the part OF the white
population who disarned as they are and deprived Of
the power of organisation, necessarily dependent
upon the government for protection.
The remedy for this unfortunate state of things is
easy Let the negro troops be removed entirely from
sections of country where they ince the freedmen to
hostility soldiers are necessary TO enforce the ponce
regulations established for the country, let white sol
ders be sent enforce those regulations We beeVe
with Mr.. Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, that TINS IS GOV
ernment of white men, and that they alone should make
and execute its laws.
If sufficient number of white troops not subject
to the orders of the commander let governor Wells IN
connection with Gen Candy organise the militia IN tne
country parishes and place them at the proper ume IN
the United States service If any doubts exist as 10 te
fidelity Of such troops, let them be placed under the
command of officers of the regular army who VIII ma
the citizens of Louisiana true to their renewed ale
glance to the government as any troops now IN the
If the authorities do not direct theF attention to this
important subject fear that the agricultural inter
ests of the country will be seriously lmpenied by an
abandonment of the fields and congregatng OF the
white population in the villages security against
the dangers which they apprehend ~ o. Crescent
WHITE TRooPs FOR SHREyEPoRT.-lt will be seen by
the following extract from the New Orleans True Delta,
Of the 9th ult that force of white troops have been
ordered to this place:
con Friday last we published appeal from the peo-
pe of Caddo and Bossier parishes addressed Gov.
Wells, setting forth the lawlcss and reckless spirit
which prevailed among portion of the colored popua-
ton of that secon-the outbreak which threatened
at christmas next-and appealing to him for permission
to organise the militia forces. This referred to
Gen Candy, who promptly considered the matter, as
will be seen by his answer appended The spirit OF his
reply meet with the approval and endorsement of
citizens for furnishes another evidence of his de-
sire to restore perfect security aud confidence in all
parts of his command:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF LOUISIANA,
New Orleans, Louisiana Oct. Il, 1865.
lis excelency, the governor, State of Louisiana.
SRI have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
petition from the citizens of Caddo and Bosser par
Shes in this State with your excelencys endorsement
If the 18th nst and state in reply, that will order
n additional force of white troops to Shreveport and
viii place the whole subject under the control of an in
! elligent and discreet officer.
think proper to state TO your exceency that com
handlers of posts are requested to keep themselves fully
advised of the of feeling among the public in their
leighborhood and to keep the district commander CON
stantly advised of dangers OF the kind anticipated IN
moved as soon as their unness is discovered, and
engagements have already been made to dsabuse the
IMPOSED upon them. Very resp'tly your ob't servt,
Err 5. CANDY, Maj. Gen. Coming
LEvEE BunDING.-We have just the drawings Of
a lev ee- building machine invented by captain c. W
Valley, late commandant of the Shreveport arsenal,