The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-10-20
THE FREEDMEN IN LOuIsIANA,

AG = ~ - n AN AO&ADAANAs
There has been published the report o.
Gen. Davis, showing the violent and i'll treat
ment IF the Freedmen existing in many parts
of his Military Department. The following
Washington special to the Tribune is Gen.
SaERlDAs's showing Of the condition of af-
fairs in Louisiana.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN pledged the nation to
the protection Of the freedmen. The latter
won their right to it in war and by gallant SOL
der duty. Mr.. JOHNSON would repudiate
that pledge; would leave these freedmen to
the mercy of those chivalrous Southerners
who repudiate their contracts, and 60 about
in night bands whipping, maltreating, rob-
bing and numbering negroes. Despite his
support of the Republican ticket, the people
will not readily forgive HENRY WARD BEECH
Err for the heartlessness with which he deem
ed the loyal freedmen to this subsection to
rebel oppressors as part of their irresistible
march," march which he would have Us
believe God ordained and the established
course of history imposes upon man. Here
is the despatch:
Major General Sheridan has transmitted
TO General Howard, Commissioner Of the
kreedmen's Bureau, report of the condition
OF the freedmen in Louisiana, for the quarter
ending September 30th, 1866. The General
states that the prospects of the cotton crop
are gloomy, the continued heavy rains of Au
gust and the early part Of September, togeth
er with the appearance of the army or cotton
worm in many portions Of the State, have
seriously affected the interests not only Of
the freedmen but OF the entire population of
the State. Many employers whose entire
crop has been destroyed will not be able to
pay their employees, and there appears to be
general desire to get rid of the responsibility
ty of any longer maintaining the employees.
every pretext being sought for discharging
them. Many of the freedmen who engaged
to work for share of the crops will be left
not only destitute of the means of support
during the winter, but will be in debt TO the
owners of the land for supplies advanced to
them in the summer. Complaints are FREE
quent that the freedmen after having labored
faithfully from the dates of their contracts,
January LIST, 1866, until the crop was ready To
harvest, are being discharged and driven
away, ostensibly on the ground of having
been insolent.
"There are frequent reports of cruelty to
parishes. Men 60 through the country q,
night, disguised, and take the freedmen from
their houses, and whip and otherwise maltrea,
them. Homicides are frequent in some 10.
ealities. Sometimes they are Investigated by
coroners jury, which justifes the act in
some instances, and releases the perpetrators
in other cases. When The proof comes to
the knowledge of the agent of the Bureau,
the parties are held to bail in nominal sum,
but the trial Of white man for the killing of
. freedman can, in the existing state of soci-
ETY. in the State, be nothing more nor less
than farce. The total suspension of th :
issue Of rations will cause much distress
among limited class of people in the State
the wives and children Of those men who en-
tered the service of the United States after
the capture of New Orleans, and Who were
killed or have died. In all charitable appro-
priations by the parish authorities these per-
sons are excluded, and il is not seen how they
can support themselves without aid from the
Bureau. The location Of homesteads by the
freedmen is progressing favorably, but it is
questionable wis Their the freedmen will be
allowed to renal ..eaceably upon the lands.
The contract system as adopted by the Blu.
rean in the Stat. has proved to be we'll
adapted TO the in'er.sts of both planters and
the freedmen