Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-12-03
GEN. ROUSSEAU.
A True Statement of HIS New Oriea ms
Administration.


From the New Orleans Times, Nov. %.
The attempt on the part Of the New
York Tribune and kindred sheets to
hold Gen. Rousseau responsible for the
disturbances which preceded the ell ectior
in this city, as we'll as for the alleged in
timidation assigned as reason why the
negroes failed to vote, IS not only unjust
but a disreputable perversion of the
truth. Through the teachings and pc
cular strategy of the Radical leaders, the
political contest here had degenerated
into struggle between the white and
black races for which Gen. Rousseau could
in no manner be responsible. He had to
take things as he found them, and with a
Radical board Of Police Commissioners,
and nj the main a negro police force, he
found it difficult to control that feeling Of
indignation which very naturally arose
in the breasts of the white population.
1t was apparent that the Radical office
holders had determined to retain their
usurped authority, no matter at what
hazard, and when the insolence OF the
negroes, under the promptings of their
unScrupulous leaders, became unbeara-
able, it required more than ordinary
skill to prevent collision. fortunately,
however, Gen. Rousseau was a man not
only of nerve, but of discretion, and he
so managed matters as to calm the strife
when the danger was greatest With
the small force at his command, and in
view Of the magnitude Of the danger TO
be arrested, he wisely made his first re-
sort to Cancellation, with such success
that after the storm blew over, his con-
duct elected the appreciation Of all law
and loving people, irrespective of
political opinions.
The truth is that the strife was en-
couraged by the more INSCRIPTIONS Rad
ical leaders. From the inception Of the
troubles the end aimed at was to pro-
duce an excuse for evading the cOnse-
quences of an election in which their de-
feat was certain. We find this plainly
apparent in the attempt made by the
Governor to abandon the government
when not tho shadow of necessity ex-
listed for such an extraordinary act. We
again find it in the unwarranted manner
in which remark made by General
Rousseau in relation to prosp ective
trouble is now sought to be tortured
into an admission on his part that it ac-
tually existed, and as being good
grounds for the action subsequently based
upon it By the Radical leaders. No
doubt many people, both here and at the
North, would have been pleased, to find
the sword invoked with the terrible
train Of calamities following inevitably in
its wake. That Gen. Rousseau preferred
a resort to peaceful measures and cons
quered with the olive branch, is alike
creditable to his Judgment as an admin
istrator, his honor and courage as a SOL
der. We have no fear but what his re-
cord will be placed right, any more than
we fear that the schemes for misrepre-
senting the people of Louisiana will
reach successful conclusion. The ma
jority of community is entitled to Sc
lect its own officers and its own represent
tatives. This principle lies at the bot
tom of all republican government, and any
attempt to subvert it cannot otherwise
than react with crushing force upon its
outhorc