The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-04-09
NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Message.

It is unusual to notify Congress by a
message of a constitutional amendment,
bat in view, however, of the vast impor-
lance of the fifteenth amendment to the
constitutioM which is this day declared a
part ofthat revered instrument, a depart
ment from the usual custom is .stifiable. A
measure which makes four millions OF
people voters, who were, heretofore, declared
by the highest judicial tribunals not citizens
and are now eligible to become so, is a
measure of grander Importance than any
one act since the foundation Of our free
Government.
The President calls upon the newly en-
| franrhised race to make themselves wor-
| thy of their new privileges, and urges the
| whites not to Withhold any legal privilege
| of advancement to the new citizens.
The President quotes from Gen. Wash
ington regarding the importance of intelli
| gence and education, and calls upon Con-
gress to promote and encourage popular
education upon all the people everywhere,
and to see that all who possess political rights
shall have the opportunity to acquire'that
knowledge which shall make their share in
the Government a blessing instead Of a
danger. By such means only can the ben
efits contemplated by this amendment be
secured.
States which have Ratified the Fifteenth
Amendment.
The Presidents proclamation, 4. declaring
the ratification Of the fifteenth amendment
Connecticut elections. which will be held
on Monday and for which registration has
been closed. The proclamation enumerates
the following States as having ratified the
fifteenth amendment:
North Carolina, West Virginia, Massa-
chusctts, Wisconsin, Maine Louisiana,
Michigan, South Carr ol Pennsylvania,
Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois,
Indiana, New York, New Hampshire, Ne,
vada, Vermont, Virginia, Alabama, Missouri
Mississippi, O'io, Iowa, Kansas. Minnesota,
Rode Island, Nebraska and Texas. Total
90 States.
The Richmond Imloroglio.
RICHMOND, March 30.-The argument in
the injunction case of sCahoon against
Ellison, rival Mayor, closed in the United
States Circuit Court to-day, ex-Gov. Hy.
A Wise making the closing speech for
Cahoon. He repudiated in strorg terms
any atfiliation with the Black Republican
party, and claimed to be still an unrepert-
ant rebel, aud did not want his position
misunderstood because he appeared as
counsel for the Republican claimant.
Mr.. Cahoon's. counsel claimed the court
has jurisdiction, because Cahoon, as a pro-
%visional appointee, is a United States off
Ger. not to 90 out of Office until a regular
election is held by the people.
Mr.. Eliison's counsel claimed that the
admission of the State terminated the pow
ers of all provisional officers. ri
The decision in this case win affect an
the offices ia the State, which are nearly all
filled by military appointees, who will re-
main in Office until July, if the decision is
given in favor of Cahoon.
Massacre by indians.
ST. Louis, March 3o.-A special dispatch
from Springfield, Mo-, to the Republican,
says: ~ have Just received advices from
Gainesville, Texas, dated March 4, Of an
extensive raid of the Comanche Indians,
by which over forty families have been
massacred in Western Texas.
1t is reported, also, that several hundred
horses were captured and several houses
burned below. and that the commander at
Fort Sill, if disposed, could have prevented
\ part, if not all, the massacres. Over
of the horses are reported near
re, in possession of the Penn Quaker
.ribe.
The Richmond Iusbroglio.
4 RIcHMoND, Va, MarcE. 31,-Judge IN /
lerwood to-day granted an injunction res
raining Mayor Ellison from setting as May
IT. He also refused an appeal on the
that the injunction was temporary,
continue only until the next term. Eli
on's counsel gave notice Of their intention
0 disobey the order of court, in order to
anse the arrest of Ellison, and then bring
lis case before the Supreme Court on a
writ of habeas corpus The Judge, in his
declares the enabling act passed
y the Legislature unconstitutional, which
affects nearly all the Offices in the
tate.
The Injunction granted this morning was
ssued this afternoon to Ellison and City
and police, but they went on with
he city affairs as usual. Cahoon issued a
reclamation this afternoon saying his police
ill be promptly recognized, and requesting
appointed by Ellison to retire to
heir homes peacefully, that no further
reaches of the peace may occur. 1t is
opposed that when Ellison appears in
onrt tomorrow, United States authorities
ill arrest him, which is the manner by
,hich his counsel hopes, by habeas COR
Us, to get his case before the Supreme
'outr. Ellison's police still have control
fthe city.
The Tragedy in ouachita Parish.
MONROE. La, March 31.-J. Fl. Wisner,
of 0uachita parish, was murdered
ere last night, about nine o'clock, by a
arty of fifteen or twenty armed men, who
for the purpose of releasing one Mr..
who was accused of murder. The
Job also Killed one negro by the name Of
ffut johnson, who was witness against
eavers.
II seems that the mob accomplished
hat it intended. as it retired sitter Beav-
rs was released, having first barred the
ii to keep other prisoners safe.
Another man named John Wimberly
as. killed yesterday evening in a pri-
ate difficulty by DR.. Dinkgrave. The par 5
culars are unknown.
The Remains Of Gen. Thomas. l
SAN FRANCISCO, March 3l.-The remains
Gen. Thomas, under the escort OF Col :
Tillard and a commissioned officer and
men. were forwarded East this
Minute guns We're fred from
lbatross, on the departure of the body for /
After impressive funeral c re- I
onies at the Lick House, yesterday, Bish- t
J Kip officiating, a meeting of the military |
i'd naval officers of this city was cid, Gen. '
lien as chairman Com. Middleton was
structed to address a letter to Mrs. Thorn
!, expressing The deep regret Of the off
and men of the army and navy of this
'ast, ON the death of Gen. Thomas, and {
convey their sincere coincidence in her $
Hiction. q