Year: 1873

l
fdence in the honest intentions of the


Union authorities did not exist; he endeav-
ored to Oeall it into being. The currency was


deranged; it was his duty to rectify it. The


secessiOnists were audaciously dligent; he


had to circumvent and repress them. The
| yellow fever season was at hand; he was


resolved to ward it of. The city govern
| ment was obstructive and hostile; it was
| bis business to Illustrate their endeavorS.
| The negro problem loomed up vast and
| pOrtentOus: he had to act upon it without
| delay. The banks were in disorder: their
| affairs demanded his attention. The con.
sulates were SO many centres of hostile
operations: he had to penetrate their mys-
terles. HIS army was considerable: his
| field of operation immense: he could not
neglect the chief business of his mission.
All these affairs claimed his immediate at
tention, and had it.


In meeting and remedying all Of these


difficulties. General Butler had to contend
with the steady and bitter opposition Of
the rich property-holders and taxpayers


who. though largely in the minority in
the city and State. had managed. by the


use Of their wealth. to make themselves


the ruling power. if not in govern


ment. then in stimulating rebellion. Not


content with having reduced the people to


the miserable condition in which General


Butler found them. they were bent on


further mischief Their example did


much to foster and propagate the spirit OF


rebellion among people who had no inten-


ton Of entering the Confederate army,


though. like the ruling class. they were


disposed to prolong the war. Many of


these people were anti-American in feel


ing, and did not hesitate. when they


thought it safe to do SO. to express their


hatred of Americans and American institu-


tons. As long as they had reason to


hope for the success Of the rebellion. we


wele prepared to find them working, in


way peculiar to themselves. for the des-


truction of the American Union,


and the erection. instead. Of


Confederacy with slavery as its cor


ner-stone. But when the armies Of the


Confederscy surrendered 10 General Grant
and the war was declared to be at an end,


one would have supposed our rich proper
ty-holders ana taxpayers would have
followed the noble example Set them by
General Lee, General Longstreet and
others. who rendered valiant service in
the Confederate cause on the tented field,
but when the war was over returned with
an honest allegiance to the government Of
the United States. Had they done this
the troubles they brought on Louisiana by
forcing her into rebellion might have
ended with the war. There would have
been virtue in this that would have COM
pensated fox some Of their past errors. not
to say crimes. But instead Of doing this;
instead Of cheerfully accepting the re-
suits Of the war, and acquiescing in the
will Of the nation. they have carried on
po litical war in this State since 1865
that has been the cause Of fearfully aug
menting our troubles. And this political
warfare has been waged against the meas
ures Of the government fixing the status
Of the colored people. They fought
against their emancipation and bitterly
opposed every act Of the government look
ing to their amelioration: and have de- |
nounc ed every man. good and bad alike,
who has aided in carrying out the meas
ures Of the government in the Southern
States. They have even conspired with |
men they have publicly branded as in
famous carpet-baggers and thieves. in
the work Of attempting to defea. by |
unfair means the Republican party
in this State. And when this was
pre.e nted in lawful manner, through !
the operation OF a federal law enacted to
secure the rule Of tn. majority, they have
the au dacity to ask for Congressional in
reference: to ask that Congress abolish a
reguia rly established government and Or
de: new election for the benefit of de-
eeated party. We can not see whence these
men get their right to carry the troubles
they have heaped on Louisiana into Con-
,ress.


II the unifcatiol movement can move
.hese mer out OF their present course and
place them in harmony with the results of
lie war. the government of the United
States and Of this State. there will be rea.
son to believe there is much good in the
lew political society that is now being
ormed here.