After
a thorough investigation, where the prosecution was conducted
by Fernando Wood, a very distinguished and able Representative
from New York, formerly Mayor of the City, General Howard
was completely exonerated by the report of the majority of
the Committee. The report was accepted by the House.
In 1873 I visited Louisiana, as Chairman of a special committee
raised for the purpose of inquiring into the conditions there,
and ascertaining which of two rival State governments was
the lawful one. The investigation disclosed a terrible story
of murder, brutality and crime. I made the report, signed
also by Mr. Wheeler, afterward Vice-President, and Mr. Frye,
now Senator and President pro tempore of the Senate. It told
the dreadful story of these things with absolute truth and
fidelity. It is not worth while to revive these memories
now. But at the same time I endeavored to do full justice
to the better qualities of the Southern people and to explain
how it happened that men otherwise so honorable and brave
and humane could be led by the passions of a political warfare
and race prejudice to commit such offences.
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