The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1870-06-08


those who were endeavoring to defeat the villainou
Vaccinations of the McVeans and the Mudgetts wh,
cursed the country with their presence was admitted
terms of social and political equality into the com
partnership even of gentlemen. He made public
speeches to the freedmen at political gatherings
wherein he dftenmes alluded to the kindly manner il
which he, although exoticer of the Federal army
had been treated by the people Of the South-im
pressed it upon them that their old masters were the
best trendsin fine, used every argument usually EN-
ployed by Democratic speakers in addressing cooreC
audience.
When in 1868 members to Congress were to be
elected from this State he much to the qualification
of that small vanity which is prominently trait Of
his character, was selected the most suitable cand
date all things considered the Democratic party could
put forward. He defeated by Blackburn, the
Radical candidate-the Southern man with Northern
principles triumphed over the Northern man with
Southern principles. Time wore on. There was no
abatement of the mutual good feeling between this
man and the people of the parish. The State was re-
distrcted-tor what purpose it boots not now to
discuss.
The time for another election approached Could
the people of this portion of the district have had
their choice, this friend and champion would have
been again selected the Democratic candidate In
stead, however, Michael Ryan, of Rapdes, Union
man first and last-except, probably, that his "loy
atty received temporary damper at the destruction
of his property by the army under Banks-was select
ed, because was known that be had no disabilities
which would preclude bis taking his seat if elected
NJ,
the, to them sufficient that he refused cooper
alton with the South after the war was precpitated
upon her Meantime, however, a wonderful change
had been wrought in the minds of the freedmen. The
fact had at length dawned upon Them that the "mue
and forty acres of land, often promised them by
the carpet-baggers, were and deusion. They
had at last come to know that their interests and those
OF their sometime masters and now employers to whom
they had to look for food and clothing for their fam
lilies, identical-were made to understand that
if desirable to the whites, of which point ma
Jory OF the latter were doubtful, they could never
again be remanded into slaveryn short brought
into that friendly association with their old own
ers which begets kindly feelings, sad experience
teaching them that only very few of the carpet-bag-
gers who had rented land and employed them to do
the labor were disposed to settle honestly with them.
The result was that, in most parishes, they gave an
overwhelming vote for the Democratic candidate 1t
is needless to say-what our readers already know;
what the individual whose record we are giving has
never denied and what the Radicals could never be
made to believe because it is not their interest to do
so-that no violence was threatened no intimidation
used, moral suasion being the only weapon welded
appeal to their elnterest the only violence shown
Ryan was elected by large majority. His competitor
Newsham, contests-how successfully it need not be
said in view Of the character of the present Congress-
But to return to the who, it is now evident,
has all along been keeping with the hare and running
with The houndsthe latter typfed in this instance by
he Radical party. He would lain have been the
Democratic candidate in the place of Ryan. AIR
knew that. Yet, too confding people have never
suspected the miserable envy the petty spite that ha We
been ranking in his heart.
We fear we are wearying our readers, but all this is
essential 10 proper appreciation of the man. and we
crave their patience
10 resume: Last summer few lawless men, most
OF whom were known to be from across the Texas Dor
der, committed some depredations in the neighbor-
hood Of Greenwood, in this parish They robbed
freedmen stole horses and kept both black and white
IN state OF uneasiness the latter feeling apprehen
sive of the loss of their mules and heprobabe burn
ing of their gnhouses as the former were of the loss
OF their money. This state of things only lasted for
a few days, when the perpetrators returned whence
they came. We would here remark that no attempt
mas ever been made in this parish resist the sheriff
Or his deputies and since the surrender we have only
had sheritfs who were friendly 10 the Government At
The time of the disturbances referred to- no one was
killed, white or black, certain and think that no
one was even injured. This, by the way Shortly
alter this disturbance the person alluded to in this
sketch had horse stolen from him. He charged it
upon couple of young men living in or near Green
wood as to whose guilt innocence we will not speak
because we design writing nothing that we are not
prepared to substanate before any unprecedented jury
in the world. These young men were arrested in
Texas, we believe, and all events were sent to the
military stockade at Jefferson. They succeeded in max
ng their escape and returning to Greenwood threat
ened TO take revenge upon the author of their mprson
nent. We candidly confess that in our opinion
injury would probably have been done him. aIthoupb
lie very we'll knew that the course of these men was
severely condemned by the citizens generally Heap
'eaIed to the military authorities for protection
company of cavalry sent, who have ever since,
We believe been encamped upon his premises but we
lad supposed they continued there because it is
me OF the most convenient and healthy locations in
he parish. We do not believe that Mike RYAN
vas ever IN this parisheertaiuly since years be-
ore the war, and whatever bis faults of character no
me would ever supect him of being liking of band
robbers even ifhere were such band in this region
# country.
All this is introductory. Pending the discussion in
congress upon the question of the contested seat be-
Teen Ryan and Newsham, Mr.. Wilkinson, member y
rom Minnesota, introduced the following letter with
be remark that he would prefer that the name Of the
ritter should not be read, for the reason that it
hight affect him personally at home in Louisiana p