Year: 1865

RICHMOND, Va July lO.


EFFECT OF. MILITARY RULE IN THE SOUTH
on THE POPULARITY or THE PRESIDENT.


The popularity of George Washington.
were he now in the presidential chair,
could not survive three months more Of
military rule in the South. The people
are gaiesceni, submissive and law-abldinS
to IA degree that is really astonishing.
considering the indignities and opprcs-
sion to which they are wantonl y subject
ed. The administration of affairs here,
and everywhere at the South, as | ascer


tain, would seem to have peculiar refer.
ence to the degradation of the white race.
They are subjected to the most CALLING
insults; vet they submit with compla-
cency that is eeTtaiuiS so1nmesdable III
n people horn to freedom, and hitherto
blessed in its enjoyment If a negro in
suits white mana very common event
now-a-days-and the white man retail
ates by abnse, the negro straightway
proceeds to the provost marshal's office,
where he is sure to obtain the fullest re-
dress for his outraged honor. The poor
white serf is hauled before that officer,
and, without much ceremony, he is pre-
sented the alternative of apOlogizing to
the niger or going to Castle Thunder TO
spend some days on bread and wafer -
Breaches of hOnOi rs of law, particular
ly where the fine sensibilities OF the
negro are in the least outraged, are alike
cognizable by the prOvost-marShal. A
white man, of high and honorable stand
ing in the community, is thrust into
prison for carrying an old ia'O 'Orlte sword
cane. A 'c0lored gentleman" is permit
ted to carry II sword-cane, lead-headed
bludgeon, or formidable hickory, without
let or hindrance. 4 negro is sent ten
DAYS to Castle Thunder for an attempt 10
commit rape upon 4 young white girl OF
eleven or twelve years of age A white
man is sent for twenty-five days to the
same place for chastising an offensive
darkey Violation of a contract by a
nigger, no matter of what sacrifice or III
convenience TO white man, is no bar to
his claim for the whole amount stipulat-
ed for under the violated contract. II a
negro agrees TO serve for a month and
leaves at the end of two weeks, he claims
the months wages, and is indignant be-
cause he is allowed nearly two-thirds -
III short, the negro is the only free man
now in the South Martial law is ad
ministered chiefly with reference to his
elevation and the degradation OF the un-
fortunate whites Whatever may be the
motive of this discrimination, il Is GER
tain that the negroes will not be benefit
ed by such policy The authorities are
laying up for them store of resentment
which will be anything but consistent
with their future comfort 1mpelled by
an unwise display of favoritsm and an
indulgence neither just nor proper, they
are driven to commit against those on
whom they will be forced to rely IN the
future for support, outragss and indignl-
ties which viii inevitably provoke retail
liation in the future President John
son would be subserving the interests OF
the whites and blacks alike by Kidding
the people Of the terrible incubus ol mil
itary rule, which now weighs 50 heavily
! upon them There is 10 man more popu
lar at the South than h is. He Will run
serious risk, however, OF f"rieitiDg
that popularity if he permits mil
itaTy rule TO continue much long
CT The popularity Of a President
is not likely to be enduring, with mili
tary rule as his principle of government
in peace times. Military leaders, except
in an emergency of war, are unsafe Gus
todians of the regulations and character
of their chiefs There is not shadow o
a pretense TO justify the continuance o
military rule at the South Everything II
its condition justifesits discontlnuance
Such is evidently not the purpose OF th'
administration for, according tn late I'll
NOR, we are to have d more detailed sys
tenn of military rule by the assignmen
ofmilitaTy cOmmandants tonewly y-iDFme'
districts. l understand thar Genera
Sandy Foster, as he is familiafly styled
is to be assigned TO Stanton his CON


mand to embrace the district west OF th
Blue Ridge to the Alleghanies Genera
Curtis TO Lynchbura and General Deyen
to fredericksburg each command to eli
brace several of the surrounding cour
tics This looks like a purpose TO cor
tinue military rule for some time at leas


GOVERNOR WISE,


/ who ikppY here, would be pleased TO Sc
eyerSs % man in the South disfral