Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-11-02
Louisiana.

A PROVISIONAL GOVERNOR WANTED--A
delegation Of the Democratic Party Of Lousi-
ana, appointed by the State Central Committee,
have been at Washington and had IN interview
with President johnson, to request him to sp-
point Provisional Governor for the State, to
enable the people to remodel their government
in conformity with past events. They declare
that the people are nearly unanimous in ap-
proving President Johnson's wise and patriotic
policy of rehabilitation, and of disavowing the
ordinance of secession, as well as the illegal do
ings of the other usurping Convention Of 1864,
which attempted to foist upon them constitu-
ton, in which Convention more than three
foarths of the parishes of the State could take nc
part, and the subsequent illegal legislation
Hereunder; all of which occurred under the
arbitrary dictation of Major General Banks then
commanding the Department Of the Gulf.
That without relief from the President their
present anolamous condition threatens to delay
for years the restoration of the State to her prop
er position as one of the ccequal States of the
Union.
And that the people Of Louisiana throughout
her whole length and breadth are now in po-
sition if relieved from military interference, to
establish republican form of Government as
guaranteed to them by the constitution Of the
United States.
They declare with truth, that
Elections held under this military regime
were serious farces, resulting in the election of
a set of men who were guilty Of fearful vast
ing Of the treasury Of an impoverished State.
ELECTIONS held under the ring Of bayonets
are not safe exponents Of public sentiment; nor
are those held on gunboats true criterions OF
the opinions of those who, in order to exercise
the elective franchise, had to board those bel
chers OF hre." 9
They refer to the fact that under this state OF
things Congress refused to have the electoral
vote of the State counted, and also refused at
the last session to receive either the Senator'S or
Representatives Of the State, elected under this
bogus system.
The President received the delegation kindly
several times, and expressed a desire to do every
thing in his power consistent with the actual
state of things. In summing up the commit-
tee say:
Weighing these facts as indicative Of the
sense of Congress in connection with the des-
potic manner in which the government in LOU
isiaua was created, the tsmpering with the bal
lot box, as shown by the action of Governor
Wells in ordering new registration, the test
oaths unknown to the constitution which were
prescribed. the voting of non-residents, of sol
diers and officers of the army and navy disquai-
fled by law in the election, and the further fact
that the so-caled constitution is the creature Of
military power, that it is repugnant to the peo-
ple. that they have never sanctioned it, but, on
the contrary, would get rid Of it had they the
opportunity, we cherish the hope that your
Excellency will see the propricty DISAPPOINTING
a Provisional Governor of Louisiana, as pre-
liminary step to the calling of State Conven'
| ton.
ave feel perfectly assured that by this means
before the meeting Of Congress, louisiana Will
adopt constitution agreeable to her people
recognizing the adjustment Of slavery, sane
tioning the amendment of the Constitution o
| the United States which has been proposed z
the several States, establishing the equality O
all persons before the law, and embodying
distinct declaration denying and repudiatint
the doctrine of secession"