The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-07-27
Mississippi.

The case of Mississippi affords an illustra
ton of the truth that, no matter how infamous
may be the laws imposed upon people, il
administered in wise and humane spirit, that
people may be prosperous and happy. Or the
five military proconsuls placed by Congress
over the South, Gen. Ord, whose district
includes Mississippi and Arkansas, is appar-
emily the only one who has acted on the
assumption that the promotion of the happi-
ness and prosperity of the people OF all classes
and colors entrusted to his care should be his
object, instead of the crushing out of the
white race, and the building up of perma-
ncnt radical abolition party by the manipula-
ton of the blacks. So when Thomas W. Con-
way, whom the radicals at Washington have
employed to organize all the negroes of the
South against the whites in sworn midnight
Union Leagues, came to Mississippi, Gen: Ord,
to his great establishment and Indignation,
gave him the cold shoulder, and begged him
to lelve the State. In Virginia, in the Caro-
linas, and in Louisiana Mr., Conway says, the
military governors received him with joy, and
promised him every assistance, but in Missis-
sippi he was insulted. Gen. Ord was evidently
oblivious of his mission" He was unable
to understand the paramount Importance Of
sending radicals to Congress over the peace,
good order and prosperity of the people over
whom he had been placed. His efforts were,
A. l. IS
good will between the whites and blacks, and
while succeeding admirably in this no wonder
he should receive with Indignation Mr.. Con-
ways project to promote radical ideas by
organizing hell" in his district in the shape
of midnight leagues, whose members, after
being duly inflamed against the whites by
incendiary speeches, should be bound in eter-
nal hostility to them by fearful oaths, taken
amid imposing superstitiOus rites.
We have, in the report of Gen. A. C. Gillem,
assistant commissioner of frcedmen's affairs in
Mississippi, brief description of the very
unfavorable politically condition Of affairs
in that state which Mr.. Conway was not sen
couraged" by Gen. Ord to reform Gen. Gillem
states that, acting apparently on Mr.. stanbery's
view of the reconstruction acts, Gen. Ord had
displaced none of the civil officers whom he
found in the State, but had, in all proper
cases, afforded them such military assistance
in the promotion of good order and the adj
ministration of justice as the exigencies of
each case seemed to require. The consequence
was, that registration proceeded throughout
the State in quiet and orderly manner. Sub
assistant commissioners were directed to give
such information to the freedmen as would
enable them to understand and appreciate their
rights and ,duties under the reconstruction
law. General attention had been given to
planting, and the corn and cotton crops are
highly encouraging. No further aid ought to
be extended, except to the physically helpless
A decided disposition is manifested by the
civil authorities to give the freedmen all priv
leges belonging to them in the law, and the
assistant commissioner has yet TO learn of a
solitary instance in which the freedman has
not received the kindcst and most patient
attention from the courts" The general in
dustry and good conduct of the freedmen
would be unexceptionable but for the inter
ference OF "mischievous persons circulating
false stories among them, and telling them to
go to the Frcedmcn's Bureau and get their
money and tickets"
It's not strange that camor is raised 70,
Gen. Ords removal. The condition of thing,
in Mississippi is evidently not such as is re
quired by 8 the interests of God and human
ity," which means the election of radicals +,
office by niger votes.