The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-02-02
THE LOUISIANA PROBLEM.
MORROw'S TESTIMONY.
INTERESTING EVIDENCE.

INTERESTING EVIDENCE.
SENTIMENTS OF THE OFFICER WHOM EMORY
SENT oUT-HE Is GRANT MAN-BUT
THINKS THE PEOPLE WOULD ABIDE THE
RESULT OF a FAIR ELECTIoN-THE CAUSES
OF THE TROUBLE-NO HOSTILITY To THE
GENERAL GOVERNMENT.
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. % In the course of
the congressional investigation to-day Col. |
Henry A. Morrow, lieutenant-colonel of the /
18th infantry, testified: L have been in the |
army since 1852. 1 have been twice sp-
pointed by the department commander to |
inspect the different portions of the state to |
see what was the general condition. 1 have |
been through Coushatta, Lincoln, Washing |
ton and Caddo, and all the parishes to the
mouth of the Red river, and have never
heard any citizen express any hostility to
ward the United States. / attribute the I'M
certain condition of the state in the first
place to the deep seated opinion on the part
OF the people that they have been defrauded
of their rights at the election; secondly,
that they feel themselves to have been inn
posed on by some of the processes of law.
There is also feeling on the part of the peo-
pie that is more imaginary than real in re-
lation to the negro. They do not regard the
blackman as exactly entitled to the position
that he occupies. For instance, in the
parish of Natchitoches, jury of blackmen,
not one of whom could write his
name Sea bad bad sat %,. on case 1.rd in
by both parties as something
that was not right. found elsewhere that
there was an opinion that the colored man
had been placed in possession of more inn
portance than his education entitled him to.
| 1 did not look into the character of the state
officials, as 1 did not deem it my duty as a
military officer to do so. talked freely
with all classes of people in relation TO the
negro, and thinking at that time that the cleo
ton had been carried by the conservatives,
have upon the condition of the
black men, whether the power
that had been acquired would be
allowed to go forward and enjoy the privil-
eyes guaranteed to him by the general laws
of the land and the constitution. With a
few exceptions was answered that the ne
gro would have none of his rights taken
away from him. These rights
would be guaranteed to him;
there would be no effort to curiail them in
I it was said that the darkey would have to
take back seat, but as a rule the best class
of people, could name some of them if
necessary, expressed the former opinion. I
had little opportunity to witness anything
of
DISTURBED CONDITION
between the races. was told everywhere
by officers and citizens that there was no diff
ficulty. At Shreveport L saw Gen. Merrill
and other officers. who gave me an account
of disturbed condition. talked with
/, great many colored people when L could get
hold of them, but very few could give me
any information. l saw but one colored
man who could give information
worth anything. He was Baptist minis
{ ter. He seemed to deplore the condition Of
the state and hoped things would get better.
lie seemed to be conservative in his views,
+, but friend of Mr.. Kellogg. 1 reported that
t there was no necessity for troops in North
] Louisiana. 1 believe that nv report was
!. considered very acceptable, for
know that it was so received
by Mr.. Morey, representative for this
district, who expressed himselfto me to the
effect that twas an entirely fair and manly
! report. 1t was part of my special duty TO
! look into the case eff Lieut.. Hodgson. The
result of my Investigations was that / en-
I bodied charges against him of having used
the military harshly and unnecessarily
Col. Morrow read from his report the
result of his examination in the Hodgson
affair. Substantially the offenses Of this
officer were his rude treatment of Mr.. Huey
/, whom he had arrested in the night time,
: and insulted while he had him in charge,
his indecent reply to Judge Tribe when the
latter issued his writ of habeas corpus, and
|, his implication in cutting the wires of the
Western Union Telegraph Company. He
q continued: From my observation through
: out the state, think that if, under free
and fair election, republicans of ordinary
ability and honesty were elected, the
. people would submit to the officers
so elected, for the reason that
in Natchitoches parish, the sheriff being
. fair man and fairly elected, told me there
. was no disposition to interfere with his
: work. The conservatives never claimed
more than that they were entitled to be in
n Quoted into the offices to which they were
4 elected. Gen. Merrill and Judge Levizee
informed me that there was such state
States marshal could not exc
cute processes unsided. The question
Q became practical one whether 1 could get
:. reliable persons of Shreveport who would
! accept the position of United States marshal
g and perform the duties. Gen. Merrill In
: formed me that Judge Levizee had tried that
Q but could not get any body to accept the
:. position. l made inquiry and determined
o to see if / could get any citizen to take
: the place. Some names given
to me. / handed the names to Judge
y Levizee, who said that they we're
Y EXCELLENT MEN
5 aud he would be glad to give Office to any of
7 them. On the day following 1 appointed a
9 deputy marshal, and for all L know he is
n ahere yet. was informed by the citizens
9 that if this deputy was interfered with that
q they would furnish a posse and go out
= and assist him. Mr.. Leonard l saw
t in relation to that He informed me
a posse to go out and assist this posse.
Tftha ronoofod manifestations of the OaOnla