New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-08-07
THE AppEAL TO TIE PREsIDBNT.


We publish below the letter of Governor
Warmoth to the President requesting the
aid of United States troops to assist in
maintaining law and order in the State.
The request is definite. The facts on
which it ia based are susceptible of full
proof and the President is here called on
to take fair position for or against the
maintenance OF law and order in this State:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT !
State of Louisiana,
New Orleans August l, 1859
To His ESosllenoy, Andrew johnson, President Of
the United States;
Sri have the honor to forward to you
by AFOREMENTIONED John F. Deane, of my
staff, the joint resolution adopted by the
General Assembly of this State on the first
| day of August, 1868. l also inclose with it
a petition from a number of the most prom.
inent and influential citizens of north Lou
| isiana, setting forth the horrible outrages
that are daily being perpetrated in that por.
| ton of the State, together with letter from
the Honorable G. A. Hudspeth, Attorney for
the Eighth Judicial District, showing tire
| state of affairs that exists there also. send
other letters and papers, showing clearly
| that in many of the parishes there exists no
| protection for the citizens in the courts, and
that men are shot down in the roads, in
| their houses, and elsewhere, without
| question being asked or any steps
taken to bring the offenders to Justice. The
| Judge OF the Twelfth District refuses to go
to the parish of Franklin unless force is
sent with him to protect him from violence,
and ne Is not obnoxious on personal or
political grounds, for in politics he WAS op-
posed to the new constitution, and is life
long citizen of the State. The Sheriff of the
parish Of Franklin has resigned, confessing
his inability to make any arrests, or dis
charge the duties of the Office on account of
the condition of affairs there.
Prominent Union men in the parish of
Caddo write me that their homes are beset
by desperadoes at night, and that their lives
and property have thus far been saved from
destruction only by armed men who volun-
teer to guard them.
AS you will see by the letter of Mr.. Hud-
speth, District Attorney for the Eighth Dis
trict, men, women, and children have re-
Gently been murdered in the parish of st.
Landry by bands of armed men, who re-
main thus far UNPUBLISHED and unmolested.
The incl0sed newspaper, Democratic
journal published in Madison parish, shows
clearly the condition of officers there, in
confederation of the statements con.
tanned in the petition Of Judge Craw-
ford, Judge WHY, and other gentlemen
vi NOIlu AOulSldud. FIOu Liz NGTY DtSL
information, Mr.. President, 1 have no
doubt that one hundred and fifty men have
been murdered in Louisiana in the last
month and half. Startling as this state
ment is, letters of the most reliable charac-
ter fully confirm it.
There seems to be settled determination
on the part of these men, who adhered to
the rebellion, to either kill or drive away
the Union white men and leading colored
men, so as to be able to territy the mass of
the colored people into voting as they shall
dictate. There is a secret organization
throughout the State known as the *. W.
Co. the full details of which, questions,
oath, etc., Colonel Deane will explain to
you. 1t is founded for the purpose of plac.
ing and keeping the colored people in CON
dition ofinferiority, and with view TO this
end contemplates and designs the precipita.
ton to conflict between the two races.
Many prominent citizens of the State are
leaders in it. Its members are sworn under
oaths of the most binding character to carry
out the purposes of the Organization at all
costs, hazards, and sacrifices, and by meas
ures, however desperate, that their leaders
may adopt.
1t has now transpired that the mob which
threatened the Legislature some weeks ago
was only prevented from re-enacting 1.-The
scenes Of the thirtieth of July, 1866, BY the
presence of the United States troops. 1t
was the deliberate determination of this
secret organization to assassinate the
Lieutenant Governor and Speaker OF the
House of Representatives for having de-
cided questions preliminary to the organi-
cation of the General Assembly in a manner
obnoxious to them.
There are military organizations on loot
In this city under the auspices of this secret
They drill openly in our
streets at night, or in halls easily to be |
seen. In short, fully believe that there is |
meditated bloody revolution, the certain |
fruit of which would be long continued if |
to the State. The presence of United States |
troops in my judgment is necessary to pre- |
vent this. The organization of militia |
Inasmuch as it will be under the |
present excited state of the public |
mind one political party armed to support |
the government against another. / wish to /
avert this, if possible, and request your, Elk.
cellency to put two regiments of cavalry, a |
'egiment of infantry, with battery of ar
'illery under the command of some compe-
ent officer with orders to cooperate with |
ne in REFRESHING disorder and violence, ar,
'esting criminals, and protecting the Off. |
,ers Of the law in trying them.
The breaking up of all secret political or.
and few examples of condign /
punishment of offenders, will secure peace |
n the State as soon as the great excitement
attending the present political campaign
s over.
have the honor to be very respectfully
FOUR obedient servant
(Signed) II. G. WARMOTH.
Governor of Louisiana,