The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-03
THE SOUTHERN STATUS.
GENERAL sHERIDAN's TESTIMONY.
The Sentiments Of the People Hardly Sat-
isfactory, but as Good as Could be
Reasonably Expected.
They Earnestly Desire Recon-
structiOn and Union.
SC. SC. SC.


WASHINGTON, May 2, 1880.
The testimony to-day reported by Mr.. washburns, Of
Illinois, from the Committee on Reconstruction, Is rei-
tive 10 the States OF Florida Texas and Louisiana
The testimony OF General Phil. Sheridan forwarded by
mail from New Orleans in response nterrogatoros
to him by Senator Williams Chairman Of the Sub
Committee is as follows
HEADQUARTERS, MILITARY DIVISION THE GULF
New ORLEANS, La March 81 1866. ,
To the Hon. GEoReE II WILLIAMS, Chairman of the Com.
mtee for the Investigation OF Affairs In Louisiana,
Texas and Florida. Senate Chamber, Washington,
D. g. -
DEAR sR-Your communication Of the 23d ult re-
questing certain information as TO affairs in Louisiana,
Texas and Florida, duly to hand but owing to my
absence In Florida have been prevented from respond
ing at an earlier day In compliance with your requesS
have the honor to submit herewith my opinions the
subjects therein par,icularized;-
O. What are now the feelings Of those who took part
in the rebellion and sympathi,cd with IL towards the
general government believe they accept the stu
perfect Union, but exhibit at the same time unmisak
able desire to gorify rebellion
What has been the effect of the unstin,ed exercise
Of the pardonng pwcr upon such personsy Has Il
made them more friendly or otherwise towards the fed
eral governments A. | have noticed no particular
Executive.
What would be the effect in your opinion, upon the
state .ne people Mere ie "noa, control
among themselves and that tbs sensible and substantial
people would regret tho absence OF the military fore.
@. Are the Offices OF the state now In the hands OF
loyal or disoyal mem. A. very large number OF tho
offices OF the State arg the hands Of returned Concd
eyate soldiers and Other active participants In the rebel
lion am unable 10 my what their actual sentiments
are in reference to the general government but think
their outspoken sentiments depend TO extent.
what is their best policy in oder to hold the offices;
have seen those high in authority 10 transition state
for the
o. What are regarded as the chief recommendations
for Office and what OF persons would be elected
without any outside nluencef A. The inclination TO
gorfy rebellion gives those who active participants
In II the preference for election by the people ap-
pontmeni by those in power.
O. What would be the condition OF the loyal men II
they left without any protection by the federal
government A. Ny impression IS that for the present
they would feel unsafe, and many OF them leave tho
country.
0 State your opinion the necessity for the con.
tinuance OF military force in your department. and
your reasons for this opinion consider II necessary
TO maintain military force in my division for the fol-
lowing reasonsTo give security to Northern capital AMI
Union people and 70 give actual and moral support -
tho freedman untn he has time 10 work out his social
status also becve its presence necessary TO prcycst
duarrelllnc among the Southern people themselves.
O. whai is your opinion to the necessity aud cxpe-
dicncy Of the freshmen BureauY A. The Frcedmen's
Bureau gives thai security the freedman which arises
from having some look after and advocate his
interests change might bc made by appointing an In
spccor general * rrcedmen with the necessary number
81 assistant nspoctoss under charge OF The department.
commander, which would be much more economical;
but II would be imposing duties on the military which
do not rGonamend think 1t should hayo littlo as
possible TO - with civil aia ~.
What would bo the condition and fate Of the freed
II left without protection under the exclusive
OF the white people tberea A. fear there would be
great deal Of trouble; large number Of the people
many who would MOI and ofraces TO some extent,
would probably be the consequence.
State Polly your opinion as to tho capacity Of the
solored people What do they know, and to what cx-
they exercise the rights Of frecnens Are they
Wiling or unwilling TO work without physical conFal.
son with kind treatment and fair wages and state what
your judgment is the best course for Congress 10 pur
in reference to those pcopcs A. The eolorcd race,
ike all other races different degrees OF intelligence
and capacity in New Orleans where colored people
treated than any other city Ia the United Sste
there an excellent colorcd society and very high de-
paofr mel x.-fs N rom
20 the State " Louisiana and and The co.orcd
about ign~anS u Is possible for my huaan
being TO be; the feedr1sR 50 far "a am Informed,
have greet desire TO learn cannot say wli'her they
learn rapidly or not believe they are VII,
them 10 DO 40 in this they like all other races;
have Known white or black man who w1 per
best thing that ngress or states can do v 70 cgsiic
as little as possible reference to the coorsd man be-
his social will be worked out BY he logic 81 tbs
neces.y Tor this labor; II Is The only labor that
obtn,.ed In the South for some time 70 come.
O. Please mike such suggestions as occur % your
mind the most judicicus and efficient remedies Or
tho owls that exist 10 your department, growing out Of
the late rcbells,A A, The feeling aud sentiment Of
those within M limit OF my command /. a.
good, perhaps, a. could be expected. Siil not
and TO abe best OF ny knowedge heavy mortgages
State isr dehis conirncted before the var; n many ia
stances the plantations viii fall into the hands Of Sorh
people who from nv ent appearsnoes vii AZ no
very distant period control louisiana even IN sentiment
that srifil Of bitterness and dissent should exist BE-
ieye ihas majority Of the people not opposed 10 the
general gogenen ars In fact earnestly desire 70 D.
restored 10 n perfect wlth the other states
stiil sufficient time has not 20, elapsed 10 eiae
the reosketoa " their having been reduced from
afiiuenco Ia limited meAS the chngnn OF being con.
quered, aud 10 submerse Ibe idea u jGsuyins ..
rcion and is representatives; this LATER idra
and it, cnsegnenuces prevail 70 so great sn
extent that CONSIDER the retenon Of the NIL.
tary 10 Louisiana Cor some time a. necessary 70
the security u einigTsnis freedmen and capital
Flora nos poor from old drbis AMI havoc 81 war Ike
louisiana AID the tone and sentiment o. the people
4 very fair and real desfe : unaffected 70 b. re-
stored 10 q perfect Union; Texas has increasei
In wealth by the rebellion; among the best
people there u very good feeling toward the govern
mont; thre n class u swies people there, however
which hs sentiment does not eon,rO, and which cans
not BE- controlled tnf by the military the sentiment 10
this Stat. will change from the influence Of Northern
nlgation and Northern capital ~ In the state o. Ion
hiana; u IL essential that the military. In considerable
force be maintained In the Department OF Texas.
have the honor 70 be- cir, very respsc'iuily your
obsdlent ssryant T. II SHERIDAN,
MAJOR General Commanding