Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-29

COuQlLLQA Vi Tic DlltlE III EllE III 81 HAdlC U =
deep-seated opinion on the part of the peO-
pie that they have been defrauded Of their
rights at elections; secondly, that they feel
themselves to have been imposed upon by
some of the processes Of law; there is also
a feeling on the part Of the
people, that is more imaginary than
real, in relation to the negro; they do not
regard the black man as exactly entitled to
the position that he occupies; for instance,
in the parish Of NachitOches, a jury Of
black men, not one Of whom could write
his name, had sat in a case involving $50
600. That was regarded by both parties as
something that was not right. / found
elsewhere that there was an opinion that
the colored man had been placed in posi-
tions Of more importance than his eduea-
tiOn entitled him. l did not look iatO the
character Of State officials, as / did not
deem it my duty as a military officer.
Mr.. Zacharie-State the condition Of the
feeling between the races and what il is to
be attributed to.
Col. MomOw-I talked freely with all
classes of people in relation to the negro, and
thinking at that time the election here had
been carried by the Conservatives, L was
anxious to know what effect it would have
upon the black man; whether he would be
allowed to 60 forward and enjoy the priv
iliges guaranteed him by the general laws
of the land and the Constitution; with few
exceptions, / was answered that the negro
would have none Of his rights taken away
from him; those rights would be guaran-
teed to him; that there would be no effort
TO cuItail them in any respect; there were
exceptions where il was said that the
darkey would have to take a back seat, but
as a rule, the best class Of people, could
name some of them if necessary-ex-
pressed the former opinion.
Mr.. Zacharie-TO what do you attribute
the disturbed condition between the races?
Col. Morrow had little opportunity to
witness anything Of that sort. was told
everywhere, by officers and citizens, that
there was no difficulty az Shreveport. l
saw Gen. Merrill and other officers, who
gave me an account Of the disturbed con-
dition. 1 talked with great many peO-
pie, when [ could get hold Of them; but
very few could give me any information.
saw but one cOlored man who could give
information worth anything. He was
Baptist minister. He seemed to deplOre
the condition Of the State and hoped things
would get better. He seemed to be a
Conservative in his views, but friend
Of Mr.. kellogg. 1 reported that there
was no necessity for the use Of troops in
North louisiana believe my report was
considered very acceptable, for l know it
was received by Mr.. MOrey, representative
for this district, who expressed himself to
me that it was an entirely fair and manly
report. II was part Of my special duty to
look into the course of Lieut.. HodgsOn.
As a result Of my investigations embodied
charges against him Of having used the
military harshly and unnecessarily.
Col. Morrow read from his report the re-
suit OF his examination into the HOdg-
son affair; substantially the Of
fenses Of this officer were his
rude treatment of Mr.. Herey, who he had
arrested in the night time and insulted
him, while he had him in charge, and his
implication in cutting the wires Of the
Western Union Telegraph Company.
Mr.. Zacharie-From your observation
throughout the State, do you think that
under free and fair election, if Republi-
cans Of ordinary ability were elected, would
the people have submitted to the officers
elected?
Col. Morrow do believe so, for in Nati-
chOtOches Parish, the Sheriff being a fair
man and fairly elected, told me that there
was no disposition to interfere with his
work.
Mr.. Zacharie-Did the Conservatives
ever claim more than that they were
entitled to offices to which they were
elected?
Col. Morrow-They claimed nothing
more.
Mr.. Zacharie-Were the citizens ready
and willing to help executing United States
processes in that section of country?
Col. MOrrOW-Gen. Merrill and Judge !
Levizee informed me that there was such |
a state Of feeling there that United States |
marshals could not execute processes IN
aided. The question became a practical |
rne, whether 1 could get reliable persons Of |
Shreveport who would accept the position |
Of United States marshal and /
me that Judge Levizee |
had tried that, but couldn't get any one to |
accept the position, l made enquiry and /
70 see if could get any citizen /
10 take the place. Some names were given /
10 me; handed the names to Judge |
LeVisee, who said they were excellent men |
and would be glad to give an Office to any |
Of them. On the day following 1 appoint |
I'd a deputy marshal, who is there yet. l /
was informed that if this deputy marshal |
vas interfered with, that they would fur /
lish posse to assist him. Mr.. Leonard |
me that he himself would make /
)ne Of the posse, and 60 out and assist this
posse.
QuestiOn-What is your idea Of the /
character Of the people in the parishes you
vent through, as to peace and order?
Answer-Well, sir; If repeated prOtesta-
ions Of the people are to he relied upon,
here is nothing that they desire more than /
o have peace restored to the country, and, |
o look at the country, l should say it
needed it.
Question-Did you notice any results
hat could be attributed to bad govern
nent?
Answer-Fences are down, houses aban-
loned, etc, throughout the whole country.
{ looks to me like a country an army had /
marched through. do not know whether
can be attributed to bad government.
People always complain Of government.
The people seem to have fallen int a state
f dependency. There does not seem to
De ordinary American vitality among the
,eople.
Question-What do you think would be
remedy TO apply to the cure of
his despOndenCy2
AnsWer-Well, sir, l am not a states
nan, and the Louisiana question has stag
ered the best minds in the country, and it
s hazardous for an army officer, ineXpe-
,piniOn on that subject. I am sure that if
were possible that the natives Of Louis
ana could be-brOUght under a government |