The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-02-13
REPORT OF THE NEW ORLEANS
RIOT COMMITTEE.

In our dispatches yesterday were given the
conclusions reached by the Committee on
the New Orleans Riot, after full and minute
investigation of that affair. At the com
meucement of this term of Congress, Gov
ernor Wells and other leading loyalists o.
Louisiana petitioned for the abolition of An
drew Johnson's reconstructed State govern
ment, and the establishment Of Provisional
government in its stead. This petition came
from men who had stood firm to the flag o,
the Union during the..war-men whose prayer
was certainly better entitled to hearing from
our Government than the protests of rebels.
The Democracy urged that These men were
restless spirits, disturbers ofpublic peace whose
congenial atmosphere was revolution, and
whose wish in this matter was dictated BY
unworthy passion, not temperate Judgment.
But to the wish of these loyalists are added
the accordant views of General Grant, Gen
eral Thomas, General Sherman, and most Of
the great military captains of the country
Now, We have Congressional Committee,
composed of men of large experience and
ability, who reach the same conclusions with
reference to the necessities of the South that
the Southern loyalists have reached.
Andrew johnson said, and reiterated 1t,
that his policy was only an experiment; when
1t proved failure he would abandon it. His
must be the sanguineness Of madness, or the
stupidity of idiocy, if he still deems that
policy success.
We reproduce here the conclusions of the
Committee. They say:
sin view of the facts proved, we are con-
strained to say that the time has fully arrived
when Congress should intervene and should
90 iegaslase as 70 secure to the people of Lou
islana = republican form Of government. The
condition OF things existing there cannot con.
tinue consistently, with the safety, security, Of
peace OF loyal men. Since the surrender of the
rebel armies rebellion has assumed another
forms and now controls the Government
through the same agencies that led these ar.
mics in time of war. That Conpressiona
acts should be passed, is settled, that force
not opinion, should punish the rebel outrag e.
perpetrated; that when men are driven from
their homes and their lives threatened, and
their property destroyed when in business
they are prescribed; when recent rebels hole
all places Of trust, aud have power to oppres.
and punish loyal men, because thew Arr
and have been loyal; when the whole bod,
OF colored men, who have never flinched
nom DUTY as Radical loyalists when the day,
were gioomiest and the dangers greatest in
tne ume OF wa, are persecuted BY I system
And hunted like Wild beasts and slaushtered
l1ous mercy eai with entire Immunity
lIom Punishn there is no room 70,
oouDt mat some ies'slative remedy should BE-
applied In this SER matter of fact. and /,
our opinion and N our Judgment thers !,
but one course open; and it should he nur
sued without hesitation or delay, accordins
TO the judgment Of all who have fall n.
presence of the rebel riot, and have stood firm
" and fearlessy for the Union when treaso,
wAs nearest success; whose Judgment
qveu upon oath. is based upon fact
Mtnih their personal experience
~no give Their opinion, resting O,
1nowieoge, and speak of VIA
they have seen and know; the present civ;
government OF Louisiana, existing without tn
ea1ceon OF National Law, should be superce
Geo ~ act OF Congress, and . provisions
Government established, and maintained i
military power until the time bss CONE VIC,
Louisiana is controlled by loyal men. an
nay be restored 70 the former prsct;cai ,.ls
lion to the Union, without endaneer;ne n
security and peace" :
We ere veil convinced tha. il d mot multi;
plicity ofiegislAtion that i 70 help the South
That - evils are TO b corrected BY time IN
fssl, md the remedial influences Of i.dustr
and commerce, moro than b. intermeddlin
control and regulation By outside parties. s
n - the policy Of the Gov6Enment towar
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