New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-08

John COyOle,
TESTIMONY OF JOHN Cov0DE.
n Have YOU been in the State Of Louisiana at any
time since the surrender OF the Rebel armies II so Wa
time were you there; in what capacity dlu you 60 u
nnder what auth0rityi A. was there In June or July
last; went there commissioned by The secretary VI
War who authorized me in general terms, 10 looA lnso
matters connected with the interests OF the
in the Mississippi valley; it being mpIaeteanie 10 CIV
me specific instructions. everything was eI' 20 ny u
erection; requested by the secretary "a war U
report 10 him from time 10 time by letter ahu' aso ny
telegraph whenever deemed IL expedient 10 DO So
used both means OF communication;
o. Continuing your answers mainly 10 Louisiana, state
fuy and in detail what you learned IN regard TO the
temper spirit and disposition Of the people A found
very great difference OF feeling among the people Oh the
South who had remained AT home during the ReOelon
and those who had been in the Rebel armies when had
then lust surrendered; among politicians and others
who had remained at home more especially among the
female portion OF the population l0unu very o'tci
feeling toward the Government Of the United States;
many Of the weather. planters had ae,
ternined to leave the country, and some were
rrrnarinc then TO leave; some few had then
left believing that that they would have no
power part in the affairs of The government
also believing that Government would lay heavy hand
those who had precipitated and carried on the re
bellion; the other hand, mingled considerably win
the army Of Kirby Smith that had just previously sur
rendered Prices command, and other portions OF hrDy
Smiths army TO the number Of several thousand WhOm
Sound at the mouth Of the Red River; was caelu. 10
ascertain the temper Of the army by conversation MOI
only with officers, but with private soldiers was sur
prised TO find how docilc and submissive they were IN
no single instance either there or on the STEAMBOAT
when Travelled with them did hear any bitter or un
kind feeling expressed toward the Governments me
general expression among them was that they were WHIP
ned and well whipped that they glad the war was
over and ready 10 come back under the old nag
and submit TO what required Of them; many oil the
more intelligent Of the army said their Leaders had
made great mistake in going into rebellion against the
Government; that they should have renamed IN ule
Union and endeayored to accomplish their purposes by
political In which they said they could nave
been sure of the aid of Northern Democrats and that
by preciptang the rebellion they had tied the hands OF
their Northern friends 10 all appearance the men OF
had ngtf hn gN
again entrusted with political power or privileges az
least for time; this found to be the case until
reached New Orleans, 10 which place great many vi
the army officers also went.
O How long was il after you left Washington that
you reached New Oreansi A. About three weeks
fAOud think attended 10 business at dlnerent points
on nv way ont there; will add that was surprised
at finding what NAV call the home sentiment OF
those who had remained at home during the war and
especially the sentiment OF the female portion OF the
population TO be so different from the sentiment OF
fbe army; l felt anxious TO learn what sentiment
would obtain control when the the two classes came
together; my Impression however then was tnat ,ne
amy sentiment would control the home sentiment
and neutalize TO great extent bitter feeling toward
the Government; but just previous 10 my arriva! at
New. Orleans Gov. Wells Of Louisiana returned there
from Washington; after his return public meeting
was called at Lafayette square. which II was under
stood be would address; the meeting was consequent.
ly largely attended, the Union men having elected
Gov Wells they felt an interest in hearing what he would
say and the dsunion element sO felt an interest IN
ascertaning If they could, what they might expect
from the Government A Dr. Cottman. man of some
sion movement, and Major Kennedy of New Orleans.
had been with Gov. Wells at Washington The Rebel
from reports of intentions Of Government which
these men brought beck at that meeting Gov. Wells
made 9 speech which was published in the papers
new ps Hsfans Containing S his e speech A" which S
fled with other papers on my retur? to Washingtoni
from psos isoOn, Gov Wells stated that he had seen
the President who was Southern man and Demo-
Graf, and that Mr.. johnson would be bnlwark be-
aud ahn anHf
cism; ne made open issue against the former admins
fration Of Mr. Lincoln charging with the contraction
of an '"5t. etc. and claiming that the ad
Ininistrauon OF {. johnson would be Of very differ
ent character Tged ipon the people 10 organize and
elect members Jngress etc his speech was generally
of the character 4 nave indicated; while this encenr
aged the Rebel clement il equally discouraged the
loyal element Of that State IL the first clear demon
strston the Union men had received that the Governor
had betrayed them, and 1t completely discouraged
shem; they came to me very respondent and
ssked me If it possible they had come 10
Just come from washington myself and i flt
certain that Gov Wells had msrepresented the ad.
ninistration; they asked me ~ make them public
speech and consented TO DO SO; attended meeting
OF the people few evenings afterward and addressed
them said 10 them that did not believe it could be
possible that Gov. els had received any authority
from President johnson make any such representa-
tIons as be had made in bis speech; i encouraged
Union men there to 20 on and organize to have their
registered and 20 register the Of such cooTod
persons authorized 10 under their existing
Constitution Of the State that included three classes u
cOlOrcu perboDS-LnOse VINO ldQ served III Tue
army, those who paid taxes, and those who were edu
Gated said 20 the people there that of votes OF
cOlored people would not be received, but would be
tected but urged them TO have them registered and
their votes offered the pols and then II members Of
Congress. elected by the Rebel element without |
permitting an the loyal element TO vote. who were |
entitled to vote should present themselves for admis
sion into Congress at Washington, knew Congress
well enough to be able to them that Of
them would ever get their seats: much cheered
and appauded far my speech; il seemed 10 encourage
the mon people very much; bnt Gov. Wells went to
work. Immediately upon bis return from Washington
70 remove from Office loyal people who had been |
appointed by Gov Hahn, and TO III their places with
returned Rebel officers and men o. the worst class;
generally every day Union would be turned OF
ONCE and Rebels appointed in their places seeing bow
matters were going o. made arrangements with a
nhh In position thnre to furnish account every
evening, q changes that had been made during the
az and o. my request table prepared. covering
several large sheets Of paper, giving the names OF
ofbcers appointed BY Gov Hahn. who had been 70. |
moved from the positions they had occupied: |
s'so the names OF those appointed by Gov Wells |
With margin for remarks ia which was sci
forth positions the apportees Of Gov Wells had held Ia
the Rebel army. or t.hey had done darug the Re
bellion large majority OF them had been officers in
The Rebel army others the worst class Of
men who had reclaimed at 1ome; reeolect distinctly
that one man was appointed 10 high petition who hsd
kept hoodhouDds during the Rebellion with which
Union had beea hunted 20 death; most barbarous
and cruel treatment had bean practieed Union men
during the ReDeion. at the time was there. many
Union men. who had been compelled 10 leave their
homes In different paris Of Louisiana felt II Necessary
70 remain within reach OF the military for their protec
lion and were unable IL return &c their homes in safety
y Have you this table Of which you have spoken, or
a copy ofitf A. have rot; 6isd those papers with
other papers ster my return 10 Washington; but 1
recoleei distinctly that stated in report that the
taDes would show over 100 Rebel officers who had been
appointed 70 positions uRGer Gov. Wells; Of the
pspe lhat hed contained accounts OF crueltles pfac
4iced there. III
Y was there any change in public continent while