Year: 1866

SHERIDAN S OPINION OF JUDGE ABELL.
Z T.W. Conway, formerly, Commissioner of
the Freedmen's Bureau in Louisiana, writes
a long letter to the New York Evening Post,
from which we make one or two extracts
His evidence is unimpeachable:


1t is great mistake to suppose that the riot
liz New Orleans resulted from the mere as
sembling of a convention, or the passage of
colored men through the streets. These were
used as mere pretexts. The determination
to murder the Union people of the city dates
back at least a year from this time. | was
then Commissioner ofthe FIeedmen's Bureau
In louisiana, and my opportunities for gain
ing information were extensive.


The rebels were not in New Orleans lono
before wecould discover them wearing secret
badges, by means OF which to identity one
another. They were discovered holding "elub
meetings" in various places. Frequently on
the streets one could have been heard saving
to another, as l have heard them myself,
I'VE Will soon rid New Orleans of these fel-
lows" meaning the loyal men. The great
object of these secret leagues soon became
known. 1t was that none but Confederates
shall be in office" How well they have sue
ceeded the present unhappy condition of Lou
isiana fully shows. The fact that every of
flee is in the hands of a rebel illustrates the
ethclency OF their organization.


As soon as President johnson evipced a
desire to pardon all the rebels, and secure all
their property, then the experience of the
iUnionists became peculiarly hard. Day by
day the feeling of bitterness increased till it
reached point wherein /" slave codes were
enacted and enforced as if nothing had hap
pened." To knock down every negro along
the street became the same pastime that it
was prior to the war. saw, near my head
quarters, policeman who was slightly intox-
icated knock down every colored person he
met, it made no difference whether the per-
son was old or young, male or female, All
were knocked down with the fist of the guar
dian of the public peace" l took some pleas
ure in going out, putting my hand on the DO
liceman's neck, and with the aid OF a black
soldier, lodged him in the jail connected with
my office.


Frobablytwo hundred men, dressed in gray
were standing near the policeman when he
amused himself in this chivalrous manner,
bnt not one was true enough to even remOn-
strate against the outrage. On the contrary
all appeared to enjoy the scene hugely. Gen
eral Fullerton's ARRIVAL and his subsequent
treatment of the freedmen. were taken to
mean very special tavor by the President for
the Southern people. The rebels grew worse
and worse, and it even then became common
question with Northern and Southern Union
lists whether or not it was best to remain in
the State and endure insult and injury from
men who had not as yet washed the blood of
thousands of loyal men from their skirts.


1t was thought best to fight it out. Many
thought the President would show him
self determined to punish treason rather
than allow traitors to punish loyal men,
Things became so bad that Gen. Candy said
to me one day in October. that ii things went
on as they were then, not SIX months would
pass ere every loyal man would either be muir
dered or driven from the State. We all know
how cautious man the General is, and how
slow he is to express rash or hasty opinion
ON any subject. Look at the facts and see
how remarkably correct he was in his predic-
ton. .susrr .afa Fa a. m


One day Judge Abel, one of the worst men
in Louisiana, issued card addressed to the
judiciary OF the State calling upon them not
TO recognize the Freedmen's Bureau. aud max
ing use of language exceedingly offensive and
outrageous. The card met General Sherdan's
eye and made him very uneasy.


The General started to my headquarters
He came into my room, looking as angry as
If he as ready for fight with Early. He
used exactly this language: Mr.. Conway,
have read Judge Abeus card. consider it
an insult to the Government, and the man
himself too dangerous to be at liberty. Were
/ in command of the Department, and were it
not that should deem it improper to inter-
iere with matters properly belonging to Gen.
Candy, certainly would take Judge Abel,
put him on boat, land him at Ship Island,
and keep him there till he could learn to re-
spect this government. The fact Is, these reo-
els want to drive us out of New Orleans, but
we'll show them that we are not gong 10 leave
here, by CO .n1' r- DID