Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-02-05
Louisiana.
TIVE rpErRrceToSsI rNVrSTrCATION


The two most important witnesses before
the Congressional Investigating Committee,
at New Orleans. thus far, have been Col.
Henry A. Morrow and Gov. Kellogg. To
the testimony OF tho former gentleman
mach weigh. is attached, both On account
OF his high personal character aud his ez-
ceptional advantages for obtaining
thorough insIgh. into the real state OF
affairs in Louisiana. In aute-belnm times
Col. Morrow was lawyer, and at the ont
break of the civil war he was Recorder OF
the city of Detroit. Mich. Entering the
army he distinguished himself in the field,
and the close of the war found him Breyet
Major General Of Volunteers. Ia 1866 he
ives transferred to the regular army, and
made Lieutenant-C Colonel of the Thirty
Sixth Infantry. In his testimony before the
committee Col. Morrow said
have been twice appointed by the de-
partment commander 10 inspect different
parts of the State to sec what was the gen.
eral condition. | have been through Cou-
shatta, Lincoln, Washington and Caddo.
and all the parishes to the mouth OF the
Red river, and have never heard any oiti-
zen express any hostility toward tho United
States Iattribute the uncertain 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 elections secondly, that they
feel themselves 10 have been imposed upon
by some of the processes OF the law. There
:. IL Ill - nl nPGnln
that is more imaginary than real in rela-
ton to'the negro. They do not regard the
black man exactly entitled to the position
he occupies for instance, in the parish oil
Natchitoches, Jury OF biackmen, not
enc of which could write his name, had set
in a case involving $50, 900. That was re-
regarded By both parties Is something that
was not right. | found elsewhere that
there was an opinion that colored men had
been placed in positions of more Importance
than their education entitled them 10.
did not look into the character Of the State
officials did not deem it NY duty as
military officer to do so.
Ouestion-Statc the condition OF the feel
ing between the races. and what !. IS 70 be
attributed to.
Col. Morrow talked freely with all
classes of the people in relation 10 the ne
{
election here had been carried by the Con-
servatiyes, | was anxious 10 know what
effect i: would have on the condition OF the
black man. whether the power that had
heeu ACQUIRED would be used to oppress
him. or whether he would be allowed 10 90
forward and enjoy the privileges guaran-
teed to him by the general laws Of the land
and the constitution. With few exceptions,
il was answered that the negro would have
none OF his rights taken away from him that
these rights would be guaranteed TO him,
that there would be no effort to curtail them
in any respect. There were exceptions.
where 1t was said thar the ''dGrky would
have 10 take i back scat, but. as rule, the
best class Of people, could name some of
them. Il necessary expressed the i0rmer
opinion.
puestioa-From your observation through
ouI the STATE, do You think that If, under
free and fair election. Republicans OF Ordi-
nary ability and honesty were elected, the
people would submit. 70 officers % elected
Col Morrow do believe 50, Tor the roa-
son tina. in Natchitoches parish the sheriff,
being d fair mas and fairly elected, told me
thg. there was no disposition - interiors
with his work.
Question go Dil the Conservatives ever
claim more than that they were entitled 70
be indicted - Offices = which they were
elected?
Col. Morrow They c.4;me! nothing
more.
Que,tioa-What IS your iiea of;ha char
acter Of the people in the parishes YOU went
through as 10 peace and order
Col. MlrroW-WeN, sir, If tie repeated
pro,cstati1ns Of the people GTe to be relied
on, there IS nothing they desire more than
peace; and, u look - tie country, lsllult
sly Il needed H.
Questionable you notice any results that
could be attributed 10 bad government
Col Morrow-Fenoes are down. houses
abandoned. etc, throughout the whole
country It looks 20 me like a country IN
army has marched through. | do NOT
know whether it can he attributed 10 bad
government OF not The people always
complain Of the government the people
seem TO have fallen into a state OF despon-
dcncy there does not seem to be the ord
nary American vitality about them.
Questioa-W hat Do You think would be
q proper remedy 70 apply % cure this De-
pontcncyt
ca. Morrow We'll. sir, am not
statesman. and the Louisiana question has
staggered the best minds in the country,
and 10 is hazardous for an army officer, in
cXgrr ieuceI IN StdtC~I0lu-llp. 20 venture
an crinion on that subject, l am sure Of
one thing, that ]. 1t were possible tina, the
natives of Louisiana could DO brought
under some good government, 1t would
have most material effect upon the public
sentiment. have been told that .axcs had
been levied and raised ior schools for ne
grocs and then bad been stolen hy officials.
| have been tod frequently hy both Con-
seryatives ard Republicans that the people
would prefer a military government u the
present state government. have no heSl-
iation in saving that were 3 capitals; and
anxious to invest my money, LOUISIANA
would be the last STATE IN the MON where
would invest. ANY one acquainted with tho
southern character knows that the people are
more intOlerant OF difference OF opinion
than these who come from more northern
latitude would not hesitate to take up
my residence in any portion Of Louisiana or
express my Republican ideas. Where
white man is thought 70 corsort with ne
groes. there Is alwsys feeling against him.
DO believe il an election was held in the
State Of Louisiana in Z perfectly fair and
impartial manner, without the presence OF
United States troops to influence votes, and
without any of the ordinary clap-,rap
means Of intimidation on either side, that
the peopleof Louisiana from my knowledge
OF them, extending from one section OF the
State TO another. would submit quietly 70
an election and abide the result.