Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1868-01-16
Registration and Political Organization,

The military order of Gen. Han.
cock, under date OF the 18th inst.
reverses and sets aside the memo
randa of rules prescribed by Gen.
Sheridan for the guidance and con-
troll Of the Boards of Registrars in
the Fifth Military District i'll the
discharge OF their official duties.
Said memoranda was so sweep
ing in Its specifications as TO dis
qualify from registering not only
those persons ruled out under the
acts of Congress relating to this sub
.ject, but many others not contr'n.
plated in the said Acts.
The memoranda referred to, is de-
clared by Gen. Hancock to be null
and of no effect" and the members
OF the various Boards are required to
look to the laws and those only, for
the rules by which they are to be
governed in the discharge of their
duties.
The liberal and enlightened view
taken Of this subject by the command
ing General is in consonance with the
views taken of it by all bipartisan,
unselfish and patriotic minds and has
redounded, like his preceding views,
acts and opinions since his induction
to his present command, to the honor
OF his head and heart.
If the noble position assumed by
him in this important matter, b. not
destined, through the Interference of
Congress, to fail in its intended
effect for the general good, the white
population of our own State and that
of Texas, will have encouraging
cause to hope for a bettering OF
their condition through the means
allowed them Of political freedom and
equality. We may then hope to stem
and stay, in some measure at least,
the torrent of fanaticism, which has
overwhelmed the South with it's evils
of bad passion, prejudice, corruption
and unconstitutional legislation.
With the Registry reopened under
the wise and salutary regulations
enjoined by Gen. Hancock, a right
tul exercise of the elective franchise
will be restored to many thousands, |
hitherto prescribed under extra-ju-
dicial rules secretly furnished to reg
istering boards for their governance,
by Gen. Sheridan. The conserva-
tive white population, thus pano-
piled and secured in their right to
register and to vote, will be enabled
to form such political organizations
among themselves as will enable
them effectually to work for mutual
good and to cooperate with the con
masses in the North and
West toward general restoration to
the country at large, of political as
we'll as civil harmony and pros
perity.
Congress, however, Seems deter
mined to persist in its course, to ex-
tinguish, if possible, every sign Of
returning life and hope to the South
and it is seriously to be apprehended
that all the efforts made by Gen.
Hancock to bring about a better
'tate of things and Tighten the load
If wrongs that has been heaped upon
our people, will, through the defeat
ng agency of an unscrupulous Con
5ress, be rendered of no permanent
avail In view OF this uncertainty,
he question arises, whether political
however purely con-
worthy in their aims, or
managed, can hasten the
urning point aimed at by Gen Han
;ock in his present noble efforts for
einvesting with political rights those
Who, without these rights, can hope
o accomplish but little, any way, in
he premises, save what might result =