Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-10-11
The Benefits Of Military Rule at
the South.

The democratic editors who en-
deavored to be so sarcastic against
the give monarchies at the South"
may themselves know what they are
talking about, but they must inexcusa-
bly, pervert the facts of the case for
their readers. The military govern
ment of the South is not only neces-
sity of the rebellion, for which the
North is not responsible-a bridge
absolutely indispensable for carrying
the country from civil war to reunion
but it is a blessing to the South
which its people will yet acknowledge.
This was so clearly set forth by Gen.
Sickles in his brief speech at Phila'
delphia, on the occasion of Gen.
Sheridan's reception, that we cannot
forbear copying the following extract
therefrom:
ain North Carolina, in 1865, law
was passed legalizing any transac-
tons of guardians, executors and trus-
tees, by which the property Of widows
and orphan children was turned into
Confederate money and Confederate
bonds, and went to bolster up the re-
bellion and impoverish the women
and children to whom it belonged.
This law was revoked by military
authority. A worthy citizen of New
York, whose name is Mclaughlin
went to South Carolina soon after the
war; and hired an abandoned planta-
ton from the Freedmen's Bureau, in
whose charge it was placed by law.
Mclaughlin planted and raised a
crop, when along came the returned
rebel, who claimed the land, had him
put in prison until he could find $40
600 bail for trespass, and took pos
session Of the land and crops.
That is specimen Of the treatment
Northern settlers would have received
in the absence of the military protec.
ton since given by Congress. In
Caswell county, North Carolina, dur
ing the war; a loyal resident, while
escaping from the enemy's lines tC
ours, where he afterwards did gooC
service, took without leave, one night
a piece of bacon for subsistence or
the march. When he returned home
after the war was supposed to bt
over, he was arrested, tried on the
charge of burglary, and sentenced tt
be hung and to pay the costs. Laugh
ter and cheering.)
While he was awaiting trial, anC
pending the execution of the sentence
the prisoner was chained inside of
an iron cage and kept there for {
year, without blanket even in win
ter Information of his case having
reached the military authorities, thu
case was undergoing investigation
when the Governor of North Care
lima, in the exercise of power give
to him by the military commander
pardoned the man. The costs no
having been paid, on account of tn
poverty of the poor fellow, he wa
confined for some time afterward il
the same place, until released by mill
tary authority. Here is an ilIustra
tion of what must have been the fat
Of loyal refugees if the Government
had not afforded them military pre-
lection.
Three thousand schools for the edl
cation of freed people have been e.
tablished under the protection of on
bayonets. Two hundred and fit
thousand colored people attende
these schools. Nor has our presenc
aided only our loyal friends, whol
we were bound in honor and human
ty to protect. Assured ofjustice, FIRE
labor has produced this year two mi
lion five hundred thousand bales o
cotton, and the largest crop of graf
raised III many years. Inc value O
this crop in money is more than tw
hundred millions Of dollars.
Its value to the population of tt
South can only be measured by Il
estimate to be put upon their lives
for without it they must have perishe
by famine. And yet without milital
protection the freedmen would hay
fled from their old masters aud soug
security and employment in the FRI
States. Congress did not send
there to compel the rebels to pay t
expenses of the war, as Bismar,
would have done. The North is pa
ing the costs of the rebellion aft
winning the victory, and we have be
helping our former adversaries
feed and clothe themselves, and to l
cover from the ruin in which tn
have involved themselves. Histo
may be challenged for another
stance in which vanquished enem
have been so generously treated
their conquerors.