New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-09-26
LOUISIANA.
IMPORTANT LETTER OF GOV. WELLS.

NEW oRLEASs Sept 90 1906
Gov Wells has addressed to friend in Louisiana the
following letter. which. better than anything else will
explain his convictions of the political situation South:
STATE OF LOUISIANA EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
NEw-OELEASs, Sept. 49, ls66
THOMAS II. JONES e'q. Areadia. Parish Of BisHrWe
DEAR SIR highly gratned at the receipt OF your favor
Of the 10th inst both for old acquaintance sake and for your
manifestations Of approval Of my recent address 10 the loyal
people of the state Knowing your seadast loyalty to me
Union amid perils that tired mems courage expected
nothing less Of you than your appreciation and support OF the
principles and enumerated Dy the great Republican
paty looking 10 The reconsucon Of the States lately
behon. For myself conscientiouy heeye the presrya.
on Of the Government and the safety OF the lives OF Union
men in the South involved in their success.
don't wonder my friend that you advert 70 the present
condition Of Union in the State and can see but little df
ference between they suffered under Rebel rule and what
they have submit TO- Their fidelity 10 the Government
is brand stgma-they called all sorts OF names the
word Yankee being the most general, because suppose
considered the oppobroushey ind themselves under
the ban Of prescription both socially and IN their business az
fairs every parish where the Rebel element Is H. orty
they holding the principal ohces al whose hands
al time when the State still under martial law and when
gsrrsOns Of United States troops can be communicated with
almost AT DAYS notice everywhere In this list Of grievances
hsve said nothing threats Of violence and actual violence
Ibave In Out the bloody record Of the 10th Of July in New
Orleans when Union murdered by Wholesale In
broad daylight and with thousands OF United States soldiers
within hsing disaaee. Now my friend these things
done when we are under protection Of the strong Of
the military the enyenomed hatred OF the men who aDored
FOR four wears 10 DESTROY the Government could be
strained even IN the presence the military 1t is serious
subject Tor reflection to what this vengeance will be
and unrestraiBed by the force Of bay
ones In my address referred TO- gave deliberate
opinion that military forces Withdrawn the life OF
every prominent Union would be endangered still ad
that opinion and will add by way OF amendment that
unless the force do not consider the protection
afforded perfect security by means You know,
my friend. tried The Cancellation policy In this state
thoroughly Ibid 80 in good faith and with sincere desire
10 heal the wounds Of the country The result you
well do have and acknowledge that 1t failed In Its
object.
Perhaps II 10 well the experiment Yves tried IL has
demonstrated the people loyal States the undyng hos
ty Of the spirit Slavery free government IL has shown
that the cemency extended its advocates who plunged the
country into bloody has been uhayaing IN winning
them back 10 their allegiance and the only POcy by "hch
the nation be preserved from these potter Tor IT'S over
punish the traitors that President Johnson
emphatic language. treason mey be forever rendered
Odious."
That Congress will regulate al these matters a ts next SEES
sion is not matter for doubt Its frs; duty as conceive
will be 70 enabling prescribing how the Rebel
shall be reorganzed first preliminary 70 that end
will OF be convention from the 10 form Con-
sttutoB and ia electng that consider that Con
gres has the Constitutional right 20 say who shall vote and
who shall not vote.
When the Convention meets The power In that body
TO FL and regulate the basis suffrage the constitution they
adopt being submitted TO Congress for Its approval
This understand TO be the programme Of the Republican
party and ID shorter wei efecus method for
the redress Of grievances than BY perssng In the
assembling OF the Convention Of 1864 you suggest After
the murdorouS onslaught made the members OF that con
Tenon. with the Mayor and his bloody police still In power
sustained aud supported by the President Of the United States
consider that convention no iouger practicable.
SEQ no alternative therefore but await the meeting Oh