The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-31
BISHOP WINNERS MISSION.
Why HE TELEGR4PHED PEACE NOT
TO BE DISTURBED IN LOUISIANA"
Wishing Hayes Amer Comforting with Grant
How TiIdcn should Have Had 10000
Instead of 10000 Majority In Louisiana.


While Major Burke was on the witness
stand before the Potter Committee. Gen. Butler
called his attention to II despatch from Bishop
Wilmer Of Louisiana. II was sent from Column
bus. Ohio. In tho height Of tho popular excite
mont over the Presidential count. to Mnjor
Burke who was in Washington. Its words
wero
Peace not to he disturbed In Louisiana
Con. Butler asked why the Bishop was so far
away from his flock ut that time. Major Burke
answered that the Bishop went to Washington
about that time to represent 10 President Grant
the critical state Of affairs in Louisiana. Then
he iourncyed to Columbus. to mako 1t clear
to Mr.. Hayes that strife must result from
tho recognition OF tho Packard Govern
mont Major Burke inferred from the
telegram that the Bishop had learned that
there would be no attempt to establish the
Packard Government. He thercupon tcle-
Rraphed this information to Gov. Nichols
Con. Butler fcigning great dulness. then
asked. But how WAS Gov. Nichols TO know
from the nero expression. Peace not to be-
disturbed In Louisiana that The, Packard Gov
nm sure. sir" Major Burke replied. stifIly.
thnt therc was no misnpnrchsnsion OF the
meaning on his part or on mine"
by singular coincidence. Bishop Will
where he attended the pan.Angii"an Councii
in Lambeth Palace, entered tho crowded COM
mittec room ut the beginning 81 this testimony
Intending To- have n chat with Chairman Potter.
He saw at once that he would bc called to tps-
tity.which he did not wish toido n the Committee
became aware Of his presence. He retired to an
he could trust, on the strength OF u warm per.
sonnl friendship, not to hetray him. Mr. Potter
ant conversation. Mr. Potter urged the Bishop '
t9 give his testimony ~ To- his mission 10 Mr..
{Sp ' f nSr to- the to York TSe
dined early. and took tho next train for quiet
Virginia town.. ter the adjournment Of the
| Potter Committee he returned to this city.
| sun reporter obtained Yesterday from an I'M
questionable authority tho serret history OF
Bishnp Winners mission TO President Grant
when i became evident" the gentleman
| said that President Grant was determined to
| foist tho Packard usurpntion UNION tho state
| with the hayonets Of United States trOope the
| long suffering Louisianians began 10 believe
| that their only recourse was 10 arms. II has
been said that they would have hcsitated to turn
| their arms against the soldiers Of the United
| states, hut | have every reason o. know that
| th"y would not, They had, in their opinion
endured all that II WIS possible for men TO sub
| hood. nnd they saw that they were 10 be thrust
! under the yoke oithe negroes and their villain
Arcanzed hSir last hopo ~ oscS wSs y the G
| doom. the installation OF state Government of
terierence by President Grant. thcy fcit
| that they must strike boldly, without re-
gard to whom they struck for their
| very existence rs freemen | know thnt they
| earnestly deprecated conflict with tho United
| states troops hut | am sure that they would
| have accepted i as the alternative to submits
| sion 10 the Pa ard usurpation. on the other
| hand. DO NOT believe thatthe soldiers stationed
| in New Orleans would have obcyed an order to
pnthize with them. Whom the cltizen-soIiers
| marched past the United States troops. on their
way 70 take possession of the courts. they were
| bishop Wilmer. knowing well the temper Of
| his flock and Of Louisianians generally. hrrnly
! believed that bloodshed and possibly sectional
fadsar must esS tain 1bt 70 95tS
| eminent had an interview with him. and re-
| qucstcd him TO mediate with President Grant in
| Lousianans they argued. and his sacred office
must give him claim upon President Grants
| consideration that other prominent Louisian-
| ians would not have.
" BBIshhop Wilmer positively declined to act for
| said. not politician. II II was made clenr TO
him, he said that the people q Louisiana do-
| sired that he should 10 70 Washington rs a
| priest and their representative to cndeavor 10
avert Sl2Sds6ed ae %%pd gladly GO TIE rep,
the bishops discrimination known to , other
| leading men. Soon afterward the Judges Of the
S n cont ihS Mayor AMI tho presdep Of
Bishop to 40 to Washington to secure peace II
" The Bishop went to Wash ngton and called
| upon President Grant In the White House
| President Grant was polite o. manner, but grim
most f' s,resHtiorward way. '7 Mr. Presden MT
| he said do not come 10 you rs the agent of
have enough chivalry in your nature to make
| The Louisanians have borne ali that they
can and they must now submit TO tho oppres-
sion Of negroes and their. white leaders. or re-
| White House with the words. "Lntaus have
peace on your lips and you seem determined
| sun vii set In sea Of blood and you will leave
| onlya heritage Of oboquy TO your successor
but he was silent. as though he were revolving
| n his mind what tle Bishop had said. What
terlstic hreyty Tho Louisanians ask only
that the United States troops be restrained from
| Interference the Bishop answered. They
President Grant reflected and then prom,
strife in Louisiana Then he went 10 his
called the Bishop a minister Of peace and
| explained that his mission was TO secure II
| pledge that would paciy the .ouisianians, Tho
| scented his letter To Mr.. Hayes in his own home
To- listSn att"ntiyely Thc Vision was soon in.
| duced to believe that he was "a thorough Repub-
lican IN ie9ng. and That he was devoted 10 the
| different A. To the result Of the Presidential
count. because he had trusted his interest in it
| The Bishop put before Mr., HAYES the i'm
| mincnce of bloody struggle in Louisiana. II
| the people were thwnrted in their purpose II
| exclaimed suddenly, seeing that Mr., HAYES WAS
| not convinced, tlat you nave cOunSVllOrS WHO
| advise you differently. tell you. on the honor
| q my sacred once, that they are deceiyng YOU
| Your sun will rise over sea Of hloodl
| Yet Mr. Hayes hestated. He asked: What
| In your opinion, would have been tho result OF
| the election in louisiana # there had been no
| intimidation Of the ncgropsY I'M glvo YOU
| some light was the Bishops ready answer.
| that your advisers may not have given you.
| The only intimidation of negroes was by ne
| groes. They would not allow other negroes.
| when they could prevont them, to cast the
| Democratic ballot. II there had been mono OF
| this kind of intimidation Mr.. Tlldou would
| have been elected 10y majority OF 10000. in
| stead of l0OOo Then followed conversation
under the implied pledge Of secrecy. according
| 10 the bishops underslanding that the Bishop
| declines TO reveal. The upshot Of it was that
| Mr.. Hayes gave the Bishop to understand that
| he would ignore the Packard Government and
| rocognl ne tho Nichols Government. He also eX-
| pressed IN intention TO consult the best Inter-
| nsis OF LQusianlan9 in othrr respects and tho
| Bishop felt Justified in sending his telegram"
PRrke Godwin's Trunks
| Mr., parko Goodwin and his family. who ar