New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1867-06-12
SHALL WE HAVE PROTECTION /?

assembled, declared last winter that no
legal State government or adequate protec-
ton for life or property existed in Louisiana
If it did not exist then, does it exist now!
This question we propose to answer by SIM
ply stating facts, and in stating the facts we
desire to be understood in advance as IN no
way censuring General Sheridan, who, we
believe, is now fully aroused to the neces-
sity of exerting all his authority to protect
the loyal people of this State. What we
write now, and what we may write here
after in reference to this department, we
write for the eye of congress, to whom we
look for additional protection the moment
it assemblies.
Section three of the military bill says 1t
shall be the duty of each officer assigned to
duty under it "to protect all persons in
their rights of persons and property; to sup
press insurrection, disorder, and violence;
and to punish, or cause to be punished, all
disturbers OF the public peace and criml-
nails" Now, it is beginning to be asked in
every parish of this State, except perhaps
the one in which we are now writing, do
these agents of the government-for the
time being our only lawful rulers and pro-
tectors-nrean to be faithful in the discharge
| of the duties assigned them. and where the
| disposition exists have they power to exc
cute the law as it is clearly laid before them
in the United States statutes2
In New Orleans around the headquarters
of the district commander peace and pro-
lection are enjoyed, but in the distant
parishes it is well known that lawlessness
is the rule. The pigeon holes of our desk
are full of reports of outrages perpetrated
upon the persons of both white and colored
loyalists, and it is purely in obedience to
the demand of the loyal people of Louisiana
and not through love of fault-indng that
we give publicity to them. One correspond
dent writes: I'm Monroe freedmen came to
the registrars complaining that threats and
blows had been freely employed to keep
them from coming" upon hearing their
complaints the registrars very properly sent
them to the freedmen's bureau; the agent
of the freedmen's bureau sent them to the
justice of the peace, and the justice of the
peace sent them to the devil"
Another one writes: "The freedmen in
Rapides have been shot down in the field
for going to register" and what is of fire.
quent occurrence in that parish we hear of
in others by almost every mail from the
Red river section of the State.
In the parish of Rapides a newspaper of
considerable influence and circulation
boldly declares war against the United
States government, missing no opportunity
to malign it and excite animosity against its
policy and its officers. recent issue de-
votes large space to the abuse of one of
the registrars in Ouachita for daring to tell
the freedmen that congress is their best
friend and that the Republican party de.
serves their assistance. In that and neigh
boring parishes the Republicans are not yet
organized, simply because the protection
they have q right to expect is not sufficiently
pronounced TO warrant the risk Of becoming
prominent in the new party. "The people
speak with bated breath and gather with
caution writes another one. "The mad
dog cry of incendiaries and disturbers of
peaceful relations between the races, etc.,
is raised on all sides and we are hunted
down almost as closely as we were by con-
script officers during the war"
From Shreveport valued correspondent
writes: ave are unmolested in our organi-
cations simply because only colored men
have become members of the clubs. Our
white friends are waiting to learn whether
they are to be protected or left to the mag
nanimity of DISTINGUISHED and illegal State
and local authorities. The military COM
manders in some cases not only fraternize
with known rebels and shame us by their
social irregularities, but refuse to notice
cases of outrage even when brought before
them officially by bureau agents and others.
| Complaint after complaint is made at the
| bureau Office in Alexandria and sent thence
to the civil authorities. ''Colored men crawl
wounded and bleeding to Alexandria and
lie all night weltering in their blood at the
headquarters of this great government and
in the morning are told to- leave the city
under threats of being locked up as vag rants
if they do not.n r-a
True to its instincts, the Democratic organ
inAlexandria fills its columns with low abuse
of its political opponents, styling them idle
radical Migrants, worthless scamps, and
stigmatizing as IAN ignorant old hypocriten
the devoted minister of the gospel who has
won the respect of all the community by his
labors among the colored people. Mainly
by his efforts lot of ground has been pur-
chased, schoolhouse, parsonage, and
beautiful church edifce erected and q day.
school kept up. On the sabbath crowds at
tend his preaching and attest his faithful
ness. The Democratic editor is exercised
because, for The want of a better place, the
schcolhouse WIS opened to the Republican
club. 7s aa y
In Natchitoches DISTINGUISHED rebel
judge sits upon the bench in the sacred
robes Of Justice and boldly casts contempt
on the United States government and defies
It's power. Is such man ft to be intrusted
with the lives and liberties of the loyal PEG.
pie Of the states II this Is protection it is
the pfotecsion THAT wolves give to lambs,
We believe General Mower to be at heart
one Of the soundest radicals In this military
district, but is be aware that his late order,
closing the naouths Of all the officials in his
department is construed in some places to
mean school teachers, clerks. orderlies, ana
all who are in any way connected with the
sfreedmen's bureau; to forbid attendance
upon any meetings Of colored people o. con
yersatior on politics with them. g =,
+ We know General Mower too well to be.