The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1870-07-30

That this is a true statement OF
the condition of of the parish OF
Caddo, we pledge to you our hon
or as gentlemen. That it is also
a true statement of the condition
of the parishes OF Bossier and De-
Soto, we unhesitatingly affirm
upon the evidence we have. liz
you have been informed to the
contrary, either by verbal or writ
ten testimony, we pledge ourselves
to show you the falsity of this tes-
timony, by such proofs as no sane
man can dispute.
In view of these facts, we re-
spectfully inquire for what reason
you design sending an undiscip-
lined soldiery into the midst of a
quiet community. There are no
outrages to punish-no distur-
Dances to quell-no disorders to
repress. Universal peace and har-
mony prevail throughout the
whole of this country.
Where is the necessity, then,
which justifies you in taking so
very grave and important a step
as this! The people desire to
know this necessity, if it exist; to
be informed of the reasons which
in your opinion imperatively re
quire the presence of a large body
of soldiers, in a country when the
power of the civil laws is amply
sufficient to protect every one in
the enjoyment of his rights.
The apprehensions of the PEG
pie we represent are so great that
they are not content to receive
any less authoritative declarations
on this subject than that emana,
| ting directly from you. Hence
| they have deputed us to wait on
you, with the request that you
will be good enough to give to us,
in writing, the reasons which you
consider to warrant you in send
ing a militia force to the parish of
Caddo at the ensuing election.
If your determination to do so
is founded on any anticipated
outbreak or attempt to abFidge
the right of the colored citizens to
exercise the right of voting, then
we ask that the militia of Caddo
be organized for the public secu-
rity. Surely, a law abiding peo-
pie can be safely entrusted with
the power of maintaining the su-
premacy of the law and of pro-
tecting every man in the exercise
of lawful rights.
The consequences of sending an
nndisciplined rabble of armed
men to repress outrage where
none exists, will be to create the
| very evil they are sent to- prevent.
Our people are now happy and
contented. A kind Providence
has vouchsafed to them the prom
Use of a bountiful harvest where
with to repair in some measure the
Ravages of a cruel war.
In the name Of humanity, in the
name of that common country,
whose interests are as dear to us
as they can be to you, do not
bring discord and strife to sup
plant one more the reign of peace
and quiet.
In the hope that you will take
this communication into favorable
consideration, we beg to subscribe
ourselves, your obedient servants,
THOMAS T. LAND, Chairman.
Jas s Ashton, Ftp Leavenwerth,
r. j LoOney, s LTaylor,
Cummings, Charles b Clark,
G l. Pogues, Jas W Duncan,
( Committee.
| Governor Warmoth received the
gentlemen with courtesy, and
promised to comply with the re-
quest to reply to their address in
writing at an early day. On Mon.
day, the following communication
was sent to them as his answer:
| STATE OF LOUISIANA, }
Executive Department, !
New Orleans, July Is, 1877. }
| GENTLEMEN-The communica-
tions which you laid before me on
Saturday, have received my care
| full attention.
| Your friends need have no fear
of a militia force being quartered
upon the parishes of Caddo, Bos-
sier and DeSoto, or any portion of
the State, unless a necessity for
such a course Of action should
arise. Of that necessity I must
be the judge; but the good people
of your section of the State need
| fear no apprehension as to the
| conduct of the troops In the event