The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-26
LOUISI ANA.

Important Letter of Governor Wells.
NEW ORLEANS, September 2O lS66.-Governor
Wells has address ed to a friend in Louisiana the
following letter, which, better than anything
else, will explain his convictions of the political
situation SOUTH
STATE OF LOUISIANA. EXECUTIVE DEPARTaENT,
New ORLEANS, September lS, 1866. Thomas Il.
Jones, ESQ, Arcadia, Parish OF Bienvilla. Dear
Sir:-I was highly grati6ed at the receipt OF
your favor of the 10th instant, both for old ac-
quaintance sake and for your manifestations of
approval of my recent address to the loyal
people of the State. Knowing your steadfast
loyalty to the Union amid perils that tried mems
courage, l expected nothing less OF you than
your appreciation and support OF the principles
and measures enuncated by the great Repubi-
can party, looking to the reconstruction of the
States lately in Rebellion. For myself, l con-
scentously believe the preservation OF the Gov
ernment and the safety of the lives of Union
men in the South are involved in their success.
/ don't wonder, my friend, that you advert to
the present condition of Union men in the State,
ana can see but little difference between what
they suffered under Rebel rule and what they
now have to submit to. Their fidelity to the
Government is a brand or stigma--they are
called all sorts of Names the word yankee"
being the most general because, suppose, con-
sideled the most opprobrous-they find them
selves under the ban OF pro riptlon, both 60
cially and IN their business affairs; in every
parish where the Rebel element is in a majority,
they see men holding the principal offices at
whose hands, perhaps they and their families
were prosecuted, and this, too at time when
the State is still under martial law, and when
garrisons of United States troops can be CON.
munlcated with almost at days notice every
wh,re. In this list of grievances have said
nothing Of threats OF violence, and actual vio-
lence suffered by Union men.
l have left out the bloody record of the 30th
of July in New Orleans, when Union men we're
murdered by wholesale In broad daylight, and
with thousands Of United States soldiers within
hailing distance. Now, my friend, if these
things are done when we are under the protec-
ton of the Str0np of the military If the
envenomed hatred Of the men who labored for
four years to destroy the Government could not
be restrained, even in the presence of the mill
tary, 1t is serious subject Tor reflection to what
extent this vengeance will be carried when
unawed and unrestrainod by the force of bayo-
nets. In my address, referred TO, gave it as
my deliberate opinion that it the military forces
were withdrawn. the life of every prominent
Union man would be endangered. l still adhere
to that opinion, and will add by way OF amend
ment that unless the force is increased do no /
consider the protection thus afforded as perfect
security by any means. You know, my friend,
tried the conciliation" policy in this State
thoroughly. | did SO in good faith, and with a
sincere desire TO heal the wounds of the country.
The result you know as well as | do. have and
do acknowledge that it failed in its object.
Perhaps it is as well the experiment was tried.
1t has demonstrated to the people of the loyal
States the undying hostility of the spirit of
slavery to free government. 1t has shown that
the clemency extended to its advocates, who
plunged the country into bloody war, has
ale glance, and the only policy by which the
nation can be preserved tromlthese plotters for
its overthrow is to punish the traitors, that, to
use President Johnson's emphatic language
"treason may be fore yer rendered odious."
That Congress will regulate all these matters
| at its next session is not matter for doubt.
| rs first duty, as / conceive, will be to pass an
| enabling act, prescribing how the Rebel States
| shall be reorganiZed. The first preliminary to
| that end will Of course be convention from
| the people to torn Constitution, and in elect
| ing that convention | consider that Congress
| has the constitutional right to say who Shall
| vote and who shall not vote.
When the Convention meets, the power rests
IN that body to fix and regulate the basis OF sut-
| trage, the Constitution they may adopt being
submitted to Congress for It's approval.
This understand to be the programme of the
Republican party. and is q shorter as well as a
more effectual method tor the redress of our
grievances, than by persisting in the assembling
OF the Convention of 1864, as you suggest After
the murderous onslaught made on the members
of that Convention, with the Mayor and his
bloody police still IN power, sustained and sup
ported by the President of the United States,
consider that Convention no longer practicable.
/ see no alternative, therefore, but to await
the meeting of Congress, 10 whose wisdom and
patriotism / have the highest confidence, and
VINO feel assured will take care OF Louisiana.
With thanks for your good wishes,
remain, very truly, your friend,
j. MADISON WELLS,
0f Il r,,s-f