The Portland daily press., 1867-04-19
Rcconssrucsion in Texas.
A GLOOMY PICTURE.

GALVESTON, Texas, April 9, 1867
To the Editor Of the Press:
Reconstruction in this rough, unsettled
State is of very slow growth. With an ex-
rebel tor Governor and his associates, from At
torney General to Justice of the Peace in eve
ry official position, the Union men of the State
have an exceedingly difficult task to accom-
plish. Unorganized, poor, and without power,
it will be impossible to reconstruct Texas on
loyal basis unless Throckmorton with his whole
crew of unwashed and unrepentant rebels are
removed, and tried and true Unionist like
Judge Caldwell, at present in Louisiana, plac-
ed in his stead. Then the work of reconstruc-
ton under the law could 60 on; and though
the large majority of rebels throughout the
State are not disfranchised, yet with our Or
CARNATIONS effected among the blacks, our
agents scattered in every one of the one hun
dred and ffty-n counties of this vast State
loyal mems lives protected by the bayonet and
ciUil law, and the right of free speech guaran-
teed, we are confident of the ability to wheel
Texas speedily into line with the spirit and
civilization Of the nineteenth century. The
routing Of the rebel host must take place at
once. Delays are doubly dangerous now
With sullen rebel placemen in power, actuat-
ed by the vindictive hatred to all that is good
SO characteristic of them, and specially antag-
onistic to the Reconstruction bill, black Union
lists will continue to be bushwhacked, loyal
white men murdered, and all attempts at Un-
ion organization frustrated outside of the mil
itary limits.
There are known to exist secret rebel organ
izafiOus in savarol counties in he ;ptorio,
with main branch here at Galveston, whose
purpose is to raise the standard of revolt if the
"Accidency" President is impeached, and
who amuse themselves now by killing white
and black loyalists whenever occasion Offers
I'VE intend to thin the damned Radicals" a
leading Johnsonian rebel remarked the other
day. This purpose is being fiendishly execut-
ed. But few days ago the bodies of five black
Unionists, intelligent freedmen, were found
floating down the Brazos, with pistol balls
through their heads. To-day we learn Of an
undeniable revolt and insurrection in Cald-
well county-some of Mr.. Johnson's followers
having openly resisted United States troops
who were sent there to preserve the lives o
Union men, and have been fred upon by rebels
losing several of their number in killed and
wounded. In Harris county, two days ago, q
couple of Federal soldiers were shot and kill
ed, as they were quietly returning to camp, by
unknown jay-hawkers. Even here in Calves
ton county, under the wing of the military, I'm
ion men when abroad at night are obliged to
go armed to the teeth; taking the middle Of the
street, men walk with pistol in hand, passing
each other at safe distances, suspicious and
watchful; street parleys, after nightfall, as be-
tween strangers or casual acquaintance, do
not occur here as in the loyal cities of the Un-
ion. Terrorism exists throughout the State.
Bleeding and suffering, the Unionists of Tex
as Fave the most implicit reliance on General
Sheridan and his efficient and Jealous subor-
dinate officer, General Griffin. We know that
were not the hands of gallant little PhiP tied
by pro-rebel President, every disloyal office
holder here from the Governor down would
have ere this been thrust from power; and Tex
as have reechoed with the gladsome shout Of
loyal men, praising God for their deliverance
In our PROSTATE, down-trodden condition we
pray the Senate not to adjourn till every clog
to the effectual enforcement ofthe Reconstruc-
ton Bill is removed; till the traitors who at
tempted the destruction of the Government by
the bayonet, and who now raise their head
again to strike at Liberty and Union, through
their representative at the White House, shall
have justice meted them. The nation has tam
pered long enough with Mercy. If treason is
odious" and rebellion a crime, then it ought to
be punished. The Union men of the South
who remained true to the flag during the pro-
gress of the rebellion and who suffer to-day in
their persons and property at the hands of the
Johnsonized rebels, feel that they have right
to demand the prompt enforcement of so bene-
ficent law as the Military Reconstruction
Bill. G. T. r.