New-York tribune., 1867-07-31
THE REMOVAL OF THROCKMORToM


great they are masters of the situation, and for
whatever tbey DO or leave undone will be held
to the strictest accountability. Very little has yet
been done in any of the five districts of which
the people disapprove and they will most
certainly and heartily approve of the removal
of Gov. ThrockmOrtOn Of Texas, of which we
are advised by telegraph. This was an act
which Gen. Sheridan seriously meditated, and
he had, we believe decided upon it, when
Stanbery's opinion was published and Grant
requested that all removals of civil officers
should be for the time suspended. Sheridan
was convinced that tho removal OF Gov.
ThrockmOrton was necessary to maintain good
order in Texas. The North has long held the
opinion tersely expressed in the order of
removal that Throckmorton was "an impedi-
"ment TO the reconstruction OF that State
"under the law"
Gov. .ThrOckmortOn, Rebel Governor, elected
in opposition to the feeble Union party of that
State, began his administration by pledging
himself to support the laws of the United
States, and to aid the policy of reconstruction.
We do him but justice in saying that we recall
no act of his that directly opposed the laws.
Unlike Gov. jenkins of Georgia, he did not
COullbcl Jho pcOplc w plCNch1 REORGANIZATION
by refusing to register, and seems TO have
carefully avoided all open opposition. But he
has been guilty OF actual opposition as dan
gerous. He denounced the Reconstruction bill
as unjust and tyrannical; approved the
odious labor system made by the Legis
lature, and its other acts intended to
keep the freedmen in virtual Slavery.
He has defeated tho intent of the recon
struction laws by systematically ncglecting to
execute them he has refused to assert his
authority, and has allowed his disloyal subor-
dinates TO act without rein or check; he has
abandoned tho State to the rule Of outlaws,
has encouraged murder by neglectng to punish
murderers and has never taken one honest
manly step to make the laws Of the United
States respected and 'obeyed. lie is a secret
and bitter foe of reconstruction, or weak
and timid man who has become tho tool Of
conspirators and despcradoes. Iu either case,
he deserved removal; there is no plea that can
be received in his favor; we point TO the con-
dition of Texas in answer to all excuses, and
say that the Governor who makes no effort to
suppress reign of terror, permits it, and con-
nives at it, and should be summariy turned
out Of the Office he is unfit to fill.
The Lindley murder is one Of the notorious
instances of Gov. Throckmorton's neglect.
The Rev. Mr.. Lindley was Union man whose
son had been murdered by Rebels, who after
ward were arrested while attempting to
escape two of them were shot by Major Car
penter, and, il is said, by Mr.. Lindley.
Lindley was placed in Jail, whence he wrote
to Gen. Heintzelman declaring that his life
was in danger because Of his Union principles.
Application was made by Gen. Heintzelman TO
Gov. ThrockmortOn, who replied that Lindley
was in no danger from mob violence, and that
lie would write to the authorities of Bell
County, and impress the necessity of strict
compliance with the law Two weeks had not
passed before Mr.. Lindley, his son, and another
prisoner, were murdered in Jail by mob OF
thirty men. So far did Gov. ThrockmortOn's
protection extend Nor did he ever take any
steps to punish the assassins or to remove the
civil authorities of Bell County for their guilt.
This is but one instance out of hundreds.
When, in May last he sought to convince the
freedmen that their best friends were in the
Conservative party, the Colored Union Com
mlttee truthfully replied :'"You have shown no
zeal in bringing to justiceIthe many parties
Gin this State who have committed outrages
"upOn Union men and freedmen. We have
"made diligent search and inquiry, and we
"have found no case where the murderer has
"been convicted by O civil tribunal Your
"whole action, from the day you deserted tho
Union cause and took up arms against the
"Unted States Government to the present
"time has been one struggle against the loyal
sentiment in this State" Thus it was, and
thus it is. But yesterday we printed the OH
cial report of Col. Sinclair, Superintendent Of
Registration in North Eastern Texas, who says
that the freedmen are ruled by the shot gun
and the revolver; that they are ignorant of
their rights, and afraid to make complaints,
and that they will not be allowed to register
vote unless protected by the power of the
army. They are SHOT down daily by gangs of
cut-throats, who, when brought before the
civil couyts, are liberated by the Judges, and
ride off not only in safety but in triumph.
Gen. Griffin, in command of the State, with
an insufficient military force, could not suppress
this insurrection. He had the civil auth9Vties
against him; lie had Gov. Throckmortop to
thwart him. There Were but two ways of re-
storing order; the first was to send standing
army into Texas the second to remove Gov
TTockmorton. All loyal men prefer the
latter. The true policy is not TO crush dis
lish one that shall be loyal. Gen.
Sheridan has cOurageously done his duty, and
although he may himself be removed for hav-
ing thrust bad man from power, he has left
TO tho President the responsibility Of turning