The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-09-13

in the interior Of the State than occurs
from Indian depredations on the
frontier; that the former greatly ex-
ceeded the latter, and are induced by
rebellious sentiment. / was, however,
promised assistance, but it came tardi-
ly.
The consequence is that troops are
still scattered over the interior, where
all is and has been peaceful, and when
the civil authorities are able to main
tain order and afford protection to the
inhabitants. Troops have been sent to
the frontier, but not in sufficient num-
bers. The posts are at great distances
from each other, and can afford but lit
tie protection. The incurSions on and
butcheries of defencelesS people by the
Indians still continue, and some, of
these posts are barely able to protect
themselves.
Many other things might be enumer-
ated to show that whilst my accusers
charge that l have not proper respect
for the laws Of Congress, and am an
impediment to their due execution,
they themselves have evinced in their
conduct but little regard either for the
laws of Congress or of the State, or the
Wellbeing of society.
All these things have the people of
Texas borne, and are yet bearing, quiet
ly. Still, they have not lost hope that
reason will again dawn upon the Amer
lean mind and do them justice.
In August, 1865, Governor Hamilton,
who had been appointed provisional
governor, arrived at the seat Of gov
ernment, and some time elapsed be-
fore the local organizations of the coun-
ties could be effected; and though for
many reasons the Governor was per-
sonally no favorite with the people, he
was treated with all the respect due to
the position he occupied; and instead
of being thWartnd in his measures, all
the aid that could be asked was extend
Cb W lllil SNClg SllO1O w lCclOIC vi
der. And though in the meantime
the negroes had been liberated from
their former obligations, and were not
inclined to labor, the people went to
work with hearty good will, not
withstanding the difficulties which at
tended the new system of labor, to
mend their broken fortunes and to re-
store again prosperity to the State
There were but few idlers among the
white population, as the products Of
the field and the pasture sent to market
will show.
The people were satisfied that wheth-
er the war was just or not, their defeat
was irrevocable; nobody thought or
dreamed of further resistance; but
they were ready to bear it. In the
meantime the courts, federal and State,
were organized; the judges held their
courts wiz regularity and freedom, as
formerly; the marshals and Sheritfs
served Writs and made arrests without
let or hindrance; the processes of the
courts were duly executed; real estate
appreciated in the market, and all
things seemed to oindicatean early return
to prosperity.
The President of the United States
issued his amnesty proclamation the
people who were so entitled availed
themselves of it, and those who were
not, sought special pardon. AS soon as
it became apparent, under the liberal
policy of the President, that the great
body of those lately engaged in the war
were to be admitted to the rights Of citi-
zenship, we began to hear murmuring
from certain quarters. Indications
were soon manifested of II disposition
to defeat reorganization of the State
on the basis prescribed. Every South
ern State had already organized its
State government except Texas. Be
ing able no longer to delay it, the Pro-
visional Governor ordered an election
of OfdelegateS to a State ecOnVentiOn-men
of all shades ofOpiniOn were candidates,
and the vote of the State was full no
riot or discOrd occurred anywhere, and
the convention assembled on the 7th
February, 1866. 1t adopted every
measure which was demanded as apre-
requisite. 1t heard and Obeyed the
voice of the President, the only voice
which spoke with authority; and this
authority, at the time, seemed to be
supported by views of the mOstenlight-
ened statesmen and journalists of the
North. The abolition of slavery
was recognized; the war debt Of the
rebellion was repudiated ;the ordinance
and doctrine of secession was abandon
ed, and the permanency Of the Union
and supremacy of the laws Of the Uni
ted States declared; many rights were
conferred upon the newly liberated
class. Provision was made for their
future education-for the equal preSer-
walton of their lives, liberty and proper
ty with others, and for the bestoWal of
other rights and privileges whenever
they should become competent to ex-
ercise them. Had it been known that
more would have been required, to
obtain representation in the national
councils and local government, such
further requisites would have been con-
ceded in the same spirit.
Tho +,i,tb ic tho naOpln XUprp tired of