The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1875-02-03

The session of the Congressional
Committee to-day was on that devel-
oped information that undoubtedly
will have great influence at Washing
ton, in the 6nal disposition Of the
Louisiana case. The evidence intro
duced was entirely new, and given
principally by United States army Of
6cere, who have been located in diff
ferent parts of the State for months,
but, Who, although summoned, were
not permitted to testify bafore the late
sub committes. Therefore it's impor-
tance will be more apparent, and to
the fact, perhaps, is due the presence
of the four gentlemen who are now
making an examination of everything
connected with the State elections and
troubles.
In the cross-examination of Mr..
Piereon it was developed that the high
taxes in his parish (Natchitoches)
we're for the purpose oil paying old
Confederate war claims.
LIEUTENANT WILLIAM GERLAcH,
of the Third United States Infantry,
stationed at Shreveport, testified as to
violence, intimidation, ETC., at Shreve-
port something similar to that before
the war. Referring to the incendiary
articles in the Shreveport Times, he
said they did produce intimidation
and outrages; that the presence OF
| United States troops was even neces-
sary now to protect the lives OF the
colored people; that some OF the
| Shreveport men had told him they
would not fight for the Yankee Gov
ernment in case of a foreign war.
Regarding the Coushatta affair, he
said an intelligent negro boy who saw
it said q number of white men shot in
. field where he saw their bodies, but
the negroes dared not bury them, for
fear of being killed for it. Some of
the bodies were riddled with bullets
from head to foot.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM ALLEN,
of the Sixteenth Infantry, testified
that . conversation between two
White Leaguers was carried on in his
| presence, they conversing with the
| editor of the Natchitoches VindicatOr
a. to the best method of working up
on the negroes to prevent their voting.
They had tried everything, they said,
except one, and that was to work up
on their fears, which WAS decided
upon, with the result shown in the
many murders commmitted subse-
auently. Soon after that a public
meeting was held at Colfax, and the
Grant parish prisoners then released
were warmly congratulated. After
the meeting two negroes we're killed
by these men, but the coroner dare
not hold an inquest until accompanied
by troops. The bowie knife of one of
the Grant Parish prisoners was found
under one negro's body and there
identified, but subsequently, when tho
troops aided the Sheriff in arresting
the murderers, no one dared come
forward and identify the knife. 1t
would have been as easy for the Sher-
iif to take the city of New Orleans as
to arrest the murderers without the
aid of. the troops, and that the muir
derers were again cleared. Soon
thereafter public meeting was held
and violent speeches made, resulting
in demand for the resignation of all
the parish officers, and an adjourn
ment had, the last speaker saying to
the mob that at the next meeting they
must come armed and prepared to
overcome resistance. Then followed
the Presidents proclamation, which.
with the presence of the troops, pre-
vented another meeting for the time
being, but the feeling was such that
thirty or more whites and blacks came
to camp for protection until they could
hy the country to save their lives, and
that although some Democrats did
not approve of the killing and butchs
sring, they never lifted up their voice
against it. Then, in answer to cate
gorical questions from Mr.. Frye, the
witness stated that Republicans dare
not vote or express themselves openly.
The presence of troops is yet neces-
sary for the preservation of life. Ii
they are withdrawn all the Rerubli-
cans will have to leave. The feeling
Of the mob is against the United
States as we'll as the State govern
ment.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL NJ MINTOsH
oorroborated the above in his testi-
mony, noting instances that came un-
der his personal observation.
GENERAL MERRILL
was next sworn, and in addition to his
published statement, said that Louisi-
ana had really no government other
than the influence exercised by the
White League, which was anarchical,
causing terror and ostracism to the
fullest possible extent. Hundreds of
negroes were yet skulking in the
woods fearing assassination; that the
only object Of the White League was
the overthrow of the State Govern
ment that they might obtain power
do you believe" said Mr.. Frye,
shat with troops in every parish, a
fair and full expression could be
had?''
NO" said Mr.. Merrill. 1t was
asked then if it would be safe for
Judge Wheeler to travel through the
State and make Republican speeches.
The answer was in the negative.
To question by Mr.. Frye, he re-
piled that even the removal of the
kellogg government would not help
matters; that there was nothing in
Louisiana to day that had the atti-
tude of . government; that the exist
ing government had not power except
that afforded by troops, and that the
White League was the only power in
the State. IF" said Merrill, .-the
Aelio0g government is removed and
another government placed in power,
It should be the government Of the
United States, and should be retained
until the people would recognize =
government of their own" General
Merrill further states that he, by or
der. was making detailed report Of
his operations since assuming COM
nand, and would file that with the
committee.
Messrs. Frye and Wheeler will ex-
amine 10, and select such I,arts of it rs
bear upon the facts sought by the
committee.