The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-05-06
RECONsTRUCT1oN EvIDExcE


vsrded by mail from New Orleans, IN re-
sronse TO interrogatories sent to him, u as
ollows: ..,,s
10. What are now the feelings Of those who
took mart in the rebellion and sympathised
with t, toward the General Govefnmentf
A. believe they accept the situation, and
have m earnest desire for the restoration of .
naySect Union but they exhibit ct the same
time an unmistakable tendency to glorify the
rebellion. -.
O. What has been the effect Of the unlim-
Has it made them more friendly or otherwise
towards the Federal Government?
A. have noticed no particular change in
sentiment on account of the clemency OF the
Executive.
q. What would be the effect, in your opin-
ion, upon State organization, If the people
were left without control to act for them
selves?
A. | believe they would quarrel among
themselves. and that the sensible and sub
stantial people would regret the absence of
military force.
@. Are the Offices of the State now in the
hands Of loyal or disloyal men?
A. A very large number of the offices are
IN the hands of returned confederate soldiers.
am unable to say what their actual senti-
ments are in relation to the General Govern
ment but think their outspoken sentiments
depend to some extent upon what is their best
policy in order to hold the office. have seen
those high in authority in transition state
for the same reason.
O. What are regarded as the chief recon-
mendatons for office, and what sort of per-
sons would be elected without any outside
interference?
A. The tendency to glorify rebellion, gives
those who were participants in it preference
with the people.
@. What would be the condition of the
loval men if they were left without any pro-
lection from the Federal Government
4. Ny opinion is, that for the present they
would feel unsafe, and many of them would
leave the country.
O. State your opinion as to the necessity of
continuing military force in your depart
ment2
4. I consider it necessary to sustain a mil
itary force in my department to give security
to Northern capital, and Union people, and
to give an actual and moral support to freed
men until they have time to work out their
social status. / also believe its presence me-
cessary to prevent quarreling among Southern
people themselves.
O. What is your opinion as to the necessity
and expediency of the Freedmen's Bureau?
A. The Freedmen's Bureau gives the secu-
rity to freedman which arises from having
some one to look after and advocate his inter
ests. A change might be made by appoint
ing an Inspector General of Freedmen, with
the necessary number of Assistant Inspectors
under charge of District Commanders, which
would be much more economical, but it would
be imposing duties on the military which do
not recommend, as think it should have as
little as possible to do with civil affairs.
Q. What would be the position and fate of
freedmen if left TO the exclusive control of
white people there?
4. fear there would be a great deal of
trouble-a large number of people would act
in good faith toward them, but there would
be many who to some extent would not.
e. State fully your opinion as TO the ca
pacty of colored people-what do they know
and tC what extent can they exercise the
rights Of ireemen? Are they willing or I'M
willing to work without physical compulsion, |
with kind treatment and fair wages, and state
fully your opinion of what is the best course |
for Congress in reference to these people?
A. The colored race. like all other races. |
have different degrees Of intelligence and ca
paclty. In New Orleans, where colored
people are better treated than in any other
lent colored society, and a very high degree
OF refinement exists in it. Starting from
TINS, you can 90 into the State Of Louisiana
and find colored men abou. as ignorant as il
IS possible for any human being to be. Freed
I.en, SO far as | am informed. have a great
desire to learn. ! cannot say whether they
learn rapidly or not. believe they are viii
hing to work, because their necessities com
pei them to do so. In this they are like all
other races. / never have known a white or
black man who was performing manual labor
for the love of it. believe the best thing
that Congress or States can do is to legisate
as little as possible for colored men, beyond
giving them security in their person and prop
erty. His social status will be worked out by
the logic of necessity fot his labor. 1t is the
only labor that can be obtained in the South
for some time to come.
Y. Please make such suggestions as occ..S
to your mind as to the most judicious and
efficient remedies for evils that exist IN your
department growing out of the late rebellion
A. The feeling and sentiments Of those
within the limit of my command is as good
perhaps as could be expected, still not salts
factory. The people of Louisiana are poor.
and to the best of my knowledge heavy mort
cages rest on perhaps majority of plants-
tons In the State for debts contracted before
the war. In many instances the plariations
will fall into the hands of Northern people.
who, from present appearances, will at no
distant period control Louisiana, even in sen
timent. Having this prospect before them,
1t is not surprising that spirit of bitterness
and dissent should exist. believe that |
majority OF the people are not opposed to the |
General Government, and, in fact, earnestly |
desire to be restored to perfect union with |
kha .fh O. j -.
ret elapsed to ehace the recollection of their
having been reduced from aiiiuence to limited
means, and the chagrin of being conquered to
the idea of justifying rebellion and
It's representatives. This latter idea and its
prevails to SO great an extent that
! consider the retention of the military in
Louisiana, Tor some time, as necessary for
The security OF emigrants, freedmen and CAM
al. Florida is not poor from old debts and
he havoc Of war like Louisiana, and the "a. /,
md sentiment of the people is very f.. .'s
! great desire is manifested to be Ar, anu
. perfect union. Texas incr ,eslofso 10
~ the rebellion. Amor -. ,sesea IN weal,h
nent There ing toward the Govern
here, howe . class of lawless people
control yer, which this sentiment does not
g :, and which cannot be controlled ex-
ut by the military. The sentiment IN this
State will not change from the influence OF
Northern emigration and Northern capital.
1t is essential that the military, in considera-
BILE force, be maintained in the department of
Texas.
have the honor to be, sir,
Very respectfully, your OBJ d't serv't,
P. Ii. SHERIDAN,
Major Gen. Commanding.