The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-09-04
Convention or No Convention.

C0nVenIlOn OF N convention.
We have purposely avoided alludng to this subject
for The cogent that far the people of Lou
siana concerned, all the argument that could be
adduced would not materially vary the result. The
large majority Of blacks who have registered will
en- masse for convention which renders it futile
the part of the whites to make any effort defeat the
convention. Otherwise we should use our utmost
beavers to prevail upon people to oppose con-
vention. We are free to say that this not our
opinion in the beginning of the work of reconstruc
ton. At first We thought Congress was in earnest in
proposing to the people of the South that they should
put their shoulders to the reconstruction wagon and
help it out of the nire. With this understanding
recommended that people accept in good faith the
reconstruction bills, and do as Congress Greeted
Since that time Congress has shown its hand and be-
You'd doubt had no idea of reconsructng the Union
with the aid of the masses of the Southern whites
Their plan was from the first, to ignore US and to re-
organise the excluded States through the sole agency
of their military cheftans and the negroes. AS we
said before, We powerless in this State influence
the result one way the other, but will our people
give willing consent to what is being done for us
Shall cooperate in the infamous work of Africans
ing cur State and thus give sanction to this dia
bocal scheme to be plead against in the future by
our worst enemies who have decreed it? This is the
question in nut she'll Will our people so far forget
the dictates of duty to themselves posterity and
to their country, to lend helping hand to brand
themselves with this infamy? We think not.
Our friends at the North expect nothing less from
at present. if any reliance is to be placed in the
Conservative press. As evidence of this fact the
Louisville Journal in late article replying to CORE
spondent gives this advice to the ten Southern States
q Our correspondent invokes the North to deliver the
South. His Invocation is good, call for Northern
assistance but not as an excuse for Southern sunne-
ness. The North do little for the South, unless
the South does something for herself: The greatest
thing slecouId have done FOR herself would have been
to reject tle military scheme by tls means she
would have cut off her electoral vote from the Radical
candidate for the Presidency next year; but, the
scheme being 500 enforced asto eXtnguish the posi-
bilty Of her doing this thing the next best thing that
she can Co. we have repeatedly said is to wash her
hands of the whole business standing aloof from all
proceedings under the scheme that the Northern
people may realise its enormity, and be impelled to
overthrow the party that upholds it. If the South
rest; but, if tile South not only submits to the mill
tary scheme but really apparently sanctions it, the
North will be able to do little nothing. IN that case,
rcasng sense of the Southern situation will never
be awakened in the Northern mind"
---ess---
Gen, SHERinA Nsro GEN. GlsaNr.-The following is |
copy of Gen. Sherdans letter to- Gen. Grantin reIa-
ton to lis success in making Union State out of the
terroryof Louisiana. The press of New Orleans
should feel highly complimented for the sweeping
charge made against them after all they have done to
prevail upon everybody to register and vote for re-
construction under the military bills What the gem
era means by stating that the State will probably
come into the Union as Union State" is more than
we can conceive. Why, the "probability is fore
gone conclusion and the use of the word in that sem
tencc looks to US superfuous:
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH MILITARY DIsrRICT. |
New Orleans August 5, 1867 i /
Gen. U. S. Grant, Commanding Armies Of the'United
States, Washington, d. c.:
>Generat-1 have the honor to submit for your in
formation the following:
That the State Of LouisiaEas!s registered in accor-
dance with the act of Congress, dated March 9 1867
and the bills supplementary thereto The poll books
are nca made out and the commissioners of cleo
ton for each polling precinct appointed T.
The number of registered voters will be slightly t.
over one hundred and twenty thousand. The State
will, in all probability, come in Union State,
In accomplishing this registration ! have had no
opposition from the masses Of the people, the con-
trary, much assistance and encouragement; but from
the public presscspeciay that Of the city of New
Oreans-and from office holders and office seekers
! have met with bitterness and opposi-
ton.
The greatest embarrassment witll'wh;ch have had
to contend, was the constant rumors of my removal
published nearly every day in the papers Of this city
1t WAS serious embarrassment it breaking
down the confidence of the.people in my acts but,
this We lave worked patiently and
nduStrously having in view only right and Justice,
and the law in its spirit.
have, AS have heretofore stated toyou permitted
no political influence Nor political machinery to help
Or influence me in this work. Receiving the law as
IN order, it executed. j
| regret that | have to make the charge against
Brig Gen. L. c. Rousseau, U. S. A., of visiting my
command recently, and without exhibiting any author
ty, interfering with my duties, and suggesting my re-
nolal
am, General, very respectfully, your obedient SER
want P H. SHERIDAN,
Major General U. S. 4.