The Portland daily press., 1866-05-29
Affairs In Texas.

An6lrS IN I6XaS.
The following letter from a loyal Union man
in Texas, we cut from the columns of the
New York Post. In private note to the ed
itor, the writer adds: "It is dangerous Tor
one here to tell the truth. If it should be
known had written such an article, it would
be likely to cost my life, though it IS strictly
true" We commend his communication to
the careful attention of those who would
learn the practical workings of 'my policy"
or satisfy themselves as to the extent to which
traitors are made to stake the back seats" in
Texas:
TEXAS, April IS, 1866.
To the Editors of the Eoening Post:
propose to give you brief account of the
state OF affairs in this country, and of the
workings OF the presidents reconstruction
policy. From the time of the surrender last
year up to the issuing Of the Presidents AM
nesty proclamation, the people here generaiiy
were subdued, and willing to submit TO Almost
any terms, especially if they were permitted
to retain life and property, though many ex-
pected to give up the latter; and many. for
fear oflosing the former, were making prepara-
tons to take themselves out OF the country,
and the common people were ready 10 de-
nounce their leaders, and many of them who
are now as defiant and clamorous against the
government and Yankeedom as at any time
during the war, actually did denounce their
leaders. But time passed; the Amnesty
Proclamation appeared; they found they were
not to be hung; the leaders at once cried out,
"We told you SO; the government is afraid to
do anything, and aDe told goa ce scoutd keep
you harmless"
At once they rallied, began to be clamorous
for more than was given, to complain OF I'm
ion men holding the offices OF the country, to
which they had previously submitted with
apparent content, as if they expected nothing
less; violent prosecutions of Union men be-
gan, desperadOes were encouraged to resist the
laws and defy the officers, and in many places
these were forced to resign. The common
people rallied to the support of their leaders,
and in many places remote from military posts
as bad state of affairs exists as at any time
during the rebellion.
The Union men being generally peaceablc,
quiet, law-abiding citizens, and having no
desperadoes i'll their employ, are compelled to
submit to almost every insult and indignity,
being frequently beaten and abused, and in
fact, hundreds have been actually killed since
the war. The courts of the country are per-
feet farce in many places, Union men being
threatened and often abused for appearing be
fore the grand iuries against disunionists, or
appearing in court as witnesses against them,
even in obedience to subpoena. In many
places men openly avow they do not consider
the amnesty oath binding; they only took it
to enable them to vote. They openly boast
themselves rebels, saying they glory in the
name, aud curse all Union men; and even the
flag, the old stars and stripes, has been torn
down when hoisted, and the secession flag
put up.
These things are openly and VIGOROUSLY
taking place to this day, and have just heard
that in Parker county, in the northwest por
ton OF the State, there is party banded to-
gether who posted themselves on an eminence
near the town, and with long-range guns fired
on the Court house for two days in succession,
the court being in session. These parties had
been indicted for offence against the laws, and
were attempting to break up the court because
it was not composed of secession or disunion
officers. 1t is said that they are supported and
encouraged by many of the citizens. These
men, both before and since court, openly go
into the town and spend most of their days
there, defying the officers of the law, and the
people refuse to aid in their arrest.
Again it is impossible for Union man to
get a judgement for any injuly to his person
or property, no matter what the proof or
Siisti sc vi tnC Soul 4, iOI jury Cs1iuOt w OU-
tanned without some dislmionists, and they
viii not render a verdict Disloyalty to the
government is as rampant, at least in many
parts of the State as at any time during the
rebellion, and Union men have become dis
heartened, have lost confidence in the govern
ment, it having failed to protect them ever
since the war, and went and served in the fed
eral ranks, say they never would serve it
again.
A Convention has been held in this State
which was composed of large majority of the
most rabid secession leaders, elected by mi
nority of the votes, as the polls and registra-
ton records will show. The only prerequis-
lite for voter or member was that he should
have taken the amnesty oath, while that is no
test of loyalty whatever. This convention
was in session sixty days, attempted to legis-
late on every conceivable subject, as if they
considered they were the only sensible body of
men that ever would be assembled in Texas
made many professions of loyalty, but the Con-
stitution as prepared shows and speaks for it. |
self And it is evident the intention is that no |
loyal man shall ever hold Office under it.
Now, all these things could have been differ |
emit, and would have been, if a different course |
had been pursued by the President. The gov
of the country should have been |
placed in the hands of loyal men and none |
others, and a military force stationed over the |
country so as to enable them to execute the |
laws. This would have restored confidence to |
those WAC were friendly TO the government
The common people would have discarded |
their leaders, and thrown off the yoke, and |
none but loyal men would have been returned |
to the convention; a constitution of the right |
kind would have been framed and all would |
have been peace and quiet. And we would |
soon have been prosperous and happy peo-
pie, but God knows what is to become of us
now. Yours respectfully,
UN1ONIST.