The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1870-07-27
The Militia Question.

On the 10th inst the delegation from this parish
waited unon the Governor and read to him the follow
ing address. His reply we also give, and while we
have nothing to say against its general tone VT eau
but express surprise that one who ought 10 DC per-
fecty well informed in the premises should persist IN
the assertion and the apparent belief that the last
election in this parish and district was characterized
BY violence and intimidation This surprise, now
ever might be modified by recalling to mind the scrip
ra, assurance that there is none so blind he who
will not see
New ORLEANS, July Is, 1870
To His Excellency, II. &. Warmoth, Governor Vi 'ne
State of Louisiana: ,
Sir-We have the honor to inform you that we have
been appointed commltte to Presen! 10 you ,n
incosed resolutions, adopted at public meeting OF
the citizens of Caddo Bossier and DeSoto parishes,
held on the 9th instant 10 the city OF Shreveport anu
to call your ton to the following statement OF iae'
in relation thereto. !. , .
We have learned that it is your intention to SEND
regiment of militia to the parish of Caddo at the com
ing election in November and believing our ln1oTtha
ton to be correct, constrained to express 10
you In the pointed manner, the universal anxiety
which has been thereby created in the pu0hc nina
The parish of CaddO was never In more qu'et con
dtion than it is now The laws are UNIVERSAL! ooeyeu
and enforced and the rights of person and properly
are everywhere respected. The officers OF the courts
concur the statement that fewer ntractlons OF ne
law take place than at any other period IN the MS
tory of the parish From quarter have we learneo
of any attempt to infringe upon the rights and prVl-
| leges of any class in the community Free OPINION
and tree speech denied to man, whatever be MS
condition or color Between the two races there IS en-
tire accord No outrages are committed on the blacks
who are ndustriously and peacefully pursuing chei
several occupations without fear or hlndrance Tom
any one. The armed desperadoes who once oroueht
reproach upon the character of people have lett the
country and with them has disappeared the last rem
nant of that lawless spirit which inflicted outrage IN
Discriminatory black and white The feeling OF Kno
and confidence is universal between the lanuoru
and his laborers and will continue to be So unless de-
stroyed by influence brought to bear from with
| out the parish w r.,
parish of Caddo pledge to you our honor as gentle
men That is also true statement OF the condltlon
of the parishes of Bosser and DeSoto, we unhestat
| ing affirm upon the evidence we have. Ii you nave
been informed to the contrary either by verbal OF
written testimony, pledge ourselves to show you
the fasity of this testimony by such proofs as no sane
| man can dispute.
In view of these facts we respectfully inquire for
| what reason you design sending an undlscpllned
| sodiery into the midst of quiet community. There
are NJ outrages to punish-no disturbances to quel-
no disorder repress. Universal peace and harmony
| prevail throughout the whole of this country.
! Where is the necessity, then that justi0es you in
taking very grave and important a step as TINS
The people desire to know this necessity, if it exist
to be informed of the which, in your opinion
imperatively require the presence of large body OF
soldiers in country when the power of the civil laws
is amply W ptotcGG every VIC al viz NNJoJ
ment of his rights.
The apprehenslons of the people represent SC
great that they not content to receive any less au
thoritatve declarations this sub than that eman
atng directly from You. Hence they have deputed us
to wait on you with the request that you will be good
enough to us, in writing the reasons which you
consider sufficient rant you in sending militia
force to the parish of Caddo at the ensuing election
If your determination to do so is founded upon any
anticipated outbreak attempt to abrdge the right
of the colored citizen to exercise the privilege OF voting
then ask that the militia of Caddo be organized oI
the public security. Surely, law-abdng people car
be safely entrusted with the power of maintaining the
supremacy of the law and of protecting every man II
the exercise of lawful rights
The consequences of sending undiscIpllned rabole
of armed men to Tepress outrage where exists, viii
Our people happy and contened. A kline
Providence has vouchsafed to them the promise OF
bountul harvest wherewith to repair, in some meas
ure, the ravaRes OF a cruel war.
In the name OF humanity. in the name Of the com
mon country, whose interests dear to us as they
can be to YOU do bring dscord and strife to sup
plant once more the reign of peace and quiet.
In the hope that you will take this communication
into fay CRADLE consideration beg subscribe
selves your Gbedent servants,
THOMAS T. LAND, Chairman,
James s Ashton, +. 7. LeaVenWorth,
Il Robert j. Lo0ney, ;. l.. Taylor.
r. c. Cummings, Charles s. CLARK,
i C. L. Pegues, J. w. Duncan,
| Committee
/ Governor Warmoth received the gentlemen witt
courtesy, and promised to comply with the request
reply to their address in writing at early day Or
Monday the following communication sent to them
az his answer