Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-05-02
RUTLAND HERALD.
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1867.



No State in the South is in so sad a
condition as Texas, where the life OF the
one Is not safe who dares to express IA
yorable sentiments to the progress OF
the plans OF Congress for theredemption
Of the rebel States from the situation in
which they have placed themselves by
their criminal act and lawlsss conduct.
Secret rebel organizations exist in varl-
ous counties in the interior having head
quarters at Galveston, whose purpose Is
30 raise the standard Of revolt should
the President be impeached, and VINO
amuse themselves by numbering white
and black loyalists whenever occasion
offers. Their purpose is being fendishly
executed. Recent accounts inform us
that not long since the bodies Of five
oolored men, intelligent freedmen, were
found floating down the BraIos River
with pistol bullets through their heads.
An undeniable revolt and instruction is
reported in Caldwell county, parties
there having resisted United States
troops who were sent there to preserve
the lives OF Union men, and have been
fired upon by rebels, losing several OF
their number In killed and wounded. In
another county, two Federal officers
were killed by unknown jayhawkers as
they were quietly returning to camp.
A reign of terror now exists throughout
she State.
Notwithstanding the suffering OF the
Unionists in Texas, they place the most
implicit reliance on General Sheridan,
knowing full well were he not restricted
by orders every disloyal ofllce-holder,
from the Governor down, would have
been thrust from power and Texas have
re-echoed with the glad shout Of loyal
men, the song of praise for their deliv-
erance.
This condition of affairs ought not
longer to exist. Traitors who now
again strike at liberty and Union should
have Justice melted out to them. The
nation has tempered long enough with
mercy If treason is odious and rebel
lion crime, then it should be punished.
The Union men of the South who re-
manned true to the government during
the progress Of the rebellion, and who
are suffering to-day in their persons and
property at the hands OF rebels, have a
right to demand the prompt enforce
ment OF the military bill.
The growth of reorganization even
under this plan, in that rough, unset
tied State must be slow, for every officer
is an ex-rebel from the Governor down to
ajustlce of the peace, and it is an exceed
ingly difficult task to accomplish 1t on
the part Of the Union men, for they are
unorganized, poor and without power.
With the crew Of unWashed and unre-
pentant rebels removed from the place,
the work under the law could go on.
With the assistance of organizations eff
fected among the colored men, even
though the traitors should not be dis
fIanchised, it could be accomplished.
Now, with sullen rebel placemen in pow
er, actuated by vindictive hatred OF all
that is good, so characteristic Of them,
and specially antagonistic to the mill
tary bill, colored Unionists will contin-
ne to be bushwhacked, loyal white men
murdered and all attempts at organiza-
ton frustrated outside the military lin.
its, but with the lives Of loyal men pro
tected by bayonets and civil law and the
right of free speech guaranteed, there is
no doubt that the Unionists can speedily
wheel Texas into line with the spirit
and civilization of the nineteenth cen.
turv