Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-02-05
From the Rutland Globe,
Louisiana.
BE SITUATION AS SEEN BY A NATIVE VEA-

The writer of the following letter, John
W. Austin. Jr., is a native Vermcnter. hay
ing been born and educated in Poultney, IN
which place, we believe, his aged father
still resides he was. during the rebellion.
a staunch Union man, and many OF the
members of the Seventh Vermont will re-
call his kindly and hospitable attention to
and care for their wants, when the fortunes
of the service brought them in his vlcin-
age; he has, also, been member OF the
legislature Of Louisiana, and having been
more or less connected with state affairs, he
certainly ought to be well informed and, as
a yermonter speaking to Vermonters, he is
entitled to a respectful learing at their
hands:
PLAQUE PARISH OF
IBxRyILLE, La, Jan. -, 1873.
EJ,,or Rutland Globe Il feel it my duty
70 write a few lines to my old Vermont
friends in defense of the people OF Loulsl-
ana. who have been sadly misrepresented
by General Sheridan in his recent DIS
matches to Washington. ! have lived tor
wears among these people. At the Baton
Roupe State Convention, held IN August
| last. | had an opportunity OF learning the
views and sentiments of the white citizens
| in every portion of our state, and know
that they are actuated by honorable and
worthy motives.
Gen. Sheridan witnessed in New Orleans,
on the 4th inst, the Indignation OF PEG
pie, who were almost in despair, when tneY
saw their last hope OF dellyerance swept
away by the strong arm OF the military
power But only in imagination could ne
have discovered among our peoplea spirit OF
assassination. lie may well SAG he Is not
afraid" He certainly has nothing to lear.
Our people feel that efforts are being made
to drive them into conflict VITA cnlted
States troops, and they are united IN tine
determination to avoid that issue.
No civilized people haTo ever suffered
from the effects OF war as have the white
people of Louisiana. Tho end OF the late
conflict found them ruined in fortune, and
since that time they have endured rule oil
tyranny and oppression, under which they
could not have lived, were /. not Tor the
hope of future relief.
| Oar burden of taxation Is more than We
can bear. The man here whose only pos
session is the home that shelters his wlie
and children, must pay lar rental 10 Inc
tax gatherer, and he must pay on the ap'
pointed day or the amount is Increased
from time to time, until all hope OF HI,
ability 10 pay is gone. and the results are Q
seizure, a sale, and family without q
home. Oar large land owners have, IN or
der to satisfy the harsh demands OF oul
grasping usurpers, covered their estate
with mortgages, until they are on the verge
of distress, and some lew Ut this class WhC
are reported to have said TO their employees
" if YOU continue TO injure nc by voting
for these thieves | shall dispense with you
, services have been threatened with pun
ishment by federal authority.
When my parish was IN qrosperou
condition upder an honest government
the expense OF gathering in our taxes wa:
about one thousand dollars per annum
and row, since the fearful depreciation o
our property, since our portion has beel
baukruntcy, flood and famine. our oppres
sors have imposed upon Us Tor the sam
service AN annual expense ranging iron
seventeen 10 twenty thousand dollars.
The money SO wrung from Us lodge
somewhere along the line OF our eorrup
, officials. and brings Us no equivalent in III
{ way VI benefits or protection. Many thou
sands Of white children are growing up Il
ignorance around Us for want OF sehoo
: privileges. We are not protected agains
the disastrous floods that annually sWee
through our state. Nor have we lmpartIa
courts where We can with any cerisint
obtain protection for life and property.
Here in my parish We have justices OF tn
peace who are unable to write their name
We have had for two years past paris
Judge whose decisions have been so partla
to his coiored conStituents-wh0 oGtnumbe
1 ba nfr : ha q nVe-tnaf
is generally thought hes. TO submit to pII
! | fering rather than 90 II tins c0ur; Tor re
dress. |. however, had wha: | considered
clear case, and wishing to make an exam
! pie | went to this court Tor justice. ma
! with the aid Of a cOlUred constable and
} search warrant discovered missing propert
IN possession Of colored neighbor-prol
and Identity clear, only defense OF prisoner
9 his own statement a. follows 1 buye
e dem tings from man-Ais name was Jim
: / amt seen him since The prisoner wa
discharged. Another case tried IN my pre-
sence a the same time was that OF a color
e cd man for stealing corn from white man
{ field. The charge was substantlatoc. an
. the punishment was one Aan hour IN Jal
Is it strange that our good Bishop W INA
e testified before the congressional coninitte
r that stealing was common all over on
! State?
If there is any intelligeEc' OF rcspectabi
ity in Louisiana il Is strongly rcprescnte
c in the White League. The feeling anon
5 them, and in TACT OF nearly all the whit
people of our State, Is one OF righteous II
dignation against our usurping rulers, an
in favor Of justice and protection 10 gu
colored people in al their rights OF eiilzer
= ship.
e do no: know one single man oi INTEL
gence outside the circle OF radical othcial
: or aspirants in Louisiana, who pretends
! believe that Wm. Pit Kellogg Is our rish
= ful governor. Our people have submItte
to has infamous rule only because they wei
' forced 10 do 50 by the authority of the pres
. dent. They have IN vain appealed tor rell'
f TO our partlZan courts, TO the presiden
4, and to congress. They have recently game
l their case ut the ballo; box. only TO be d
J.. feated again by the power Of the bayon
And now IN their utter dependency the
make their appeal TO their brethren Of Il
c north May God help them If that sour'
4 fails. JNO. VI AusTiE, DR.