The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-10-17
Letter from Gov. Wells.
The New Orleans "0wn Correspondent of the
New York Tribune ncloses to that paper the following
la.ter from Gov Wells, Of this State:

latter from Gov. Wells, Of this State:
STATE OF LOUISIANA, Executive DEPARTMENT,
New Orleans, Sept. 49, 1866.
Thos Fl. Jones' Arcadia, parish Of Benrille:
Dear Sri highly gratiked at the receipt oil
your favor of the 10th inst both for old acquaintance
sake and your manifestations Of approval at my re-
cent address to the loyal people of the State. Know
ing your steadas loyalty the Union amid perils that
tried mems courage, expected nothing less OF you
than your appreciation and support of the principles
and measures enuncated by the great republican par
v looking to the reconstruction of the States lately
in rebellion For myself, l conscientously believe
the preservation of the government and the safety OF
tie lives of the Union in the south are involved
in their success.
don't wonder, my friend, that you advert to the
present condition of Union in this State, and can
see but little difference between what they suffered
under rebel rule and what they have to submit
to- Their fidelity to the government is brand or
stgma-they called all sorts OF names, the word
g yankee being the most general because suppose
considered the most opprobious-they find themselves
under the ban Of prescription both socially and IN
their business affairs; in every parish where the rebel
element is in q majority, they see men holding the
Offices at whose hands perhaps they and their families
we're prosecuted and this too, at a time when the
State is still under martial law and when garrisons Of
the United States troops can be communicated with
almost at DAVIS notice everywhere. In this list OF
grievances have said nothing of threats of violence,
ana actual violence suffered by Union
+
in New Orleans, when Union men murdered by
wholesale in broad daylight and with thousands Of
United States soldiers within mailing distance Now,
NV friend If these things are done when
der the protection of the strong arm Of the military,
If the enyenOmed hatred Of the men who abOred for
four years destroy the government could not be
strained even in the presence of the military it is
serious subject for reflection to what extent this
geance will be carried when unawed and unresraned
by the force Ct bayonets In my address referred to
gave my deliberate opinion that if the military
forces withdrawn the life of every prominent
Union man would be endangered. ! shall adhere to
that opinion, and will add by way of amendment that
unless the force is increased do not consider the pro
lection thus afforded as perfect security by any
means. You know, my friend tried the " concilia-
ton policy in this State thoroughly. did so in good
faith and with sincere desire to heal the wounds Of
the country The result you know well as do,
have and do acknowledge that it failed in its object
Perhaps it is well the experiment tried. 1t has
demonstrated to the people Of the loyal States the
diving hostility of the spirit of slavery to free gov
eminent 1t has shown that the cemeucy extended to
its advocates, who plunged the country into bloody
war has been unavaiiug in winning them back to
their allegiance, and the only policy by which the
ton can be preserved from these potters for It's
throw is to punish the traitors that to president
Johnson's emphatic language, "t treason may be for
ever rendered odous.n
That congress will regulate all these matters at its
next session. is not matter of doubt. It's first duty,
as | conceive will be to pass enabling act, pyescrb
ing how the rebel States shall be re0rganised. The
first preliminary to that end will of course be con-
veution from the people to form constitution, and
in electing that convention consider that congress
has the constitutional right to say who shall and
who shall not vote.
When the convention meets, the power rests ii shat
body to fix and regulate the basis of suffrage the con
sitution they may adopt being submitted to congress
for their approval.
This | understand to be the programme Of the re
publican party, and is a shorter well more effect
ua method for the redress of grievances, than b.
persisting in the assembling Of the convention of IS64
= as YOU suggest. Alter the murderOus onslaught mad
on the members of the convention with the mayo
and his toody police still in power sustained and sup
ported by the president Of the United States cor
slider that convention no longer practicable.
I see 10 alternative, therefore, but to await tn
meeting Of congress, in whose wisdom and patriotism
have the highest confidence, and who, feel assured
: will take care of Louisiana.
With thanks for your coed wishes, ! remain YER
truly, your friend, j. MADISON WELLS,
= Governor of Louisiana.
IS We notice in the New Orleans papers, of the 9Th,
e call for meeting Of the citizens Of the State Of Lot
h siaua signed by large number Of influential citizen
to efute the scandalou charges made against the PEI
1t pie Of the State in the above letter. The Times
1t speaking of this meeting says has been called
e. some Of the most influential citizens of New OrIean
u and Of that class which may justly claim to be col
se5vatye, bipartisan ard incapable of sanctioning
q permitting any violation Of law, any act Of wron
injustice or oppression any class individual II
it object of the meeting to give an authentic deui
At and refutaon to tile false charges Of the govern
Of against the people of this city, hostile to ctze
in from otEer States and all persons who have been de
10 tiled with the Union cause Most Of the originate
a.
rebellion they are old citizens of the highest reput
- ton Both at home and abroad, for integrity, homo
truthfulness and fidelity to law, peace and order.
will indicate great perversty and partisan bitterness
= any mind which will attech the slightest weight or vail
to the testimony of so frantic yindictive and reckle
" partisan AZ j. Madison Wells when fatty contradict
by the declarations and evidence of citizens Of such
class and character. A nor, resident and stranger
our city and people, a soured and disappointed poll
~ clan, like Gov. Wells who has been so largely instr
n mental in producing recent troubles and disorders
lie scrt Of witness Who courts would hardly be perm
lg ted to cast suspicion or doubt upon the character
J, the humbest individual Shall bis testimony be
lowed to traduce and calumniate a whole communi
er Of two hundred thousand persons? This question
al receive a fit response tonight from men whose wo
e. will pass wherever they known as unimpeachal
!, and conclusive.
"The duty Of contrad,cting and refuting the COVE
nors calumnes being performed, We hope that the
g, spectacle and substantial citizens who will compo
| this meeting, will throw the weight Of their coun!
and example in behalf of course of conduct, of tel
per and bearing, which shall promote harmony, 90
n feeling and prudence among all classes of our citize
= which shall check restrain and eradicate all section
! disputes pre3udges end i'll feelings and ncucae mo
~ GRAFTON and an abstinence from political prejudice
~ temper on the part of public officials There new
j was time when it more incumbent on our peoT
1 TO demean themselves with discretion fidelity The
o pledges, and realising CONJUNCTION of their circu
10 stances and duty than the present. 1t is understo
that jacob Barker Christian Roselius and other pror
iuent citizens, will address the meeting
i. Messrs Elstner Trustworthy & Co.. the leve
ed are again in receipt of very large and well select
q, stock Of dry goods and groceries purchased by
I. John Elstner, at very low rates. They il
condition to fill all orders at price current rates Th
friends should bear this in mind and give them ca
th The many friends Of Mr. John Elstner wilt be pleas