New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-11-02
THE REIGN OF TERROR In L0Us
I9IANA
Letter from One OF the Victims. and
Reply by Hon. L, ID. Campbell

special Correspondence Of the Cincinnati GaEettsl
HAMILTON, Ohio, October 1B.
The people of this community are deeply
affected by the announcement first made
that one of their former fellow-citizens,
Judge Valentine Chase, was murdered by
rebels in st. Mary parish, Louisiana, on the
night of the seventeenth ultimo. Mr.. Chase
was native of this county, and at one
time represented this and Preble counties
in the State Senate. He was graduate Of
Miami University, and for some years prac-
ticed law in this city. In 1851 he was g.
prominent candidate of the Democracy Of
this county for the office of Lientenant-Gov-
ernor. About six years after that he mar
ried lady in Brashe4r parish Louisiana,
where he shortly afterward took up his
residence. He resided there until the war
broke out in 1861, when his Union senti-
ments made him an object of rebel
wrath, and be was driven out of the
State, Coming back to this city ef-
fectually cured of his Democratic
proclivities, he at once took active part in
the Union cause as editor of the Hamilton
Telegraph. AS sufficient evidence of his
peaceable and conservative character,
may state that the propTietors of the 7sJe-
graph at one time threatened to discharge
him because he would not resent personal
assaults. At the close of the war he re-
turned TO Brashear parish, and was elected
Parish Judge by the Union party-a crime
Tor which he forfeited his life.
The following letter written by him to
the Hon. L. D. Campbell, just a fortnight
before his assassination, will be read with
painful interest as the testimony of one
who was standing on the brink of death,
and as it were, prophesying his own sad
fate. His deafh is the best evidence that
the prediction he makes with regard to the
purpose of the Southern rebels In the case
Seymour and Blair are elected is weu
founded:
IEGLEwooD PLANTATION, | I
September 8, 1865.
Hon. L D. Campbell:
1t is with deep feelings Of anxiety that
address you this note of inquiry. Are we
rushing headlong into another revolution?
The inquiry may surprise you if you area
stranger to the wild fury which is hurling
this community into state of anarchy and
is inaugurating reign of terror similar to }
that of 1861. The leaders are becoming
bold, and openly avow their intention To
murder all the newly elected State an
parish officers, or drive then from the
State. Mexico is often alluded to as q
sample of what we are coming to. They
look to the Democracy of the North to
support them. You are there; tell me, are
these hopes baseless or well founded? What
stand do the Conse rvative Union men of q
the North take? Whom do they support,
and what are the prospects for Sey mour and o
Grant? For on this issue depends, Ia my
| Judgment, the extent to which this insur-d y
| ton shall be carried. That it will be iu-
augurated, have no doubt. There is an
extensive secret organization pledged to it,.
| 1t is claimed this organization extends from
N ine to the Rio Grande. Ii Seymour
should be elected, they expect from the
principles announced in General Blair1a
letter, that he will aid them in the. over
| throw of all the State Governments South.
And even should he. fail, they will try it,
and thus throw the country into state of
anarchy. If the Democracy of the North
assist them as a party, it will be extensiveS
and God help the country. If it shall be
con6n, to this section, blood v Ill flow for
| while, but a timely iHterposition of the
army will suppress it. Give me your
views. ] know that you are always
| looking ahead, and / know that you ara
in confidence with the present administra-,
ton, and can give me some assurance of
the prospect that lies before il of preysnt-
ing this great calamity. These insurrec-
tionists think that because President john
son was opposed to the reconstruction acts,
he will be slow to check their overthrow
by violence. hope this is not the case.
believe he has been persecuted, but still
1 believe he will not be untrue to bis
country for the purpose of aVenging him
self on a party. e
Please let me hear from you soon; and
direct your letter to Mrs. Thos. j. Cooke,
for If directed to me I should probably
never get it. The bitterest rebels have
free access to the postotice here, and, 1t u
believed, are playing their old game.
Ny regards to your family and all our
| friends.
! With great esteem, I remain
Yours, etc, v. CHASE.