Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-09-06

The following letter from Major General
Butler, upon the condition of the country and
with special reference to the coming state elec.
ton, has been published =
U. S. STEAM FRIGATE MINNESOTA, /
or Cape Hdheras, Az q, 1861.
My Dear Friend,-I have received your
note, as well as those OF many others OF my
true friends in Massachusetts, asking my
opinion about political questions, and some
kindly suggesting my name a candidate for
governor, at the ensuing election. l reply 10
you as representing them ali, because our in
timacy will permit more frankness than would
seem meet toward those less closely connected.
As | have stated 10 you, and Us | have public
ly repeated, when b left home l left all politics,
in party sense OF the Term, behind me, and
| no know no politics in any sense, save as
represented by the questlon--l1ow best 10 pre-
serve the Union and restore the country III its
integrity Peace is desirable to all, and to
none more so than TO the soldier who has left
his friends and his home to do his duty to his
country. But, however desirable, it is not to
be purchased upon ally terms, save the recog-
ssa.s'.ot1tJ ISuera govern
ment over every inch of territory which ever
belonged to it. Upon no condition whatever
other than this, would L consent TO peace A
peace implying the dIsintegrlton of the Union,
or until the supremacy of The government is
forever established, would be simply decar-
alton OF perpetual war OF sections. Were the
southern cOniederacy to day acknowledged in
the tullness OF good faith, Two months would
not elapse before causes of war would arise
sufficient not only to justify, but 20 demand, a
renewal OF the conflict. No two months have
passed, in the last ten years at least, i'll which
outrages have not been committed upon north
ern men III the SOUTH which, had they been
pcrpetrated by foreign nation, would have
demanded redress OF grievances, under pain
OF suspension of diplomatic relations But
we have borne these Outrages because there
was no tribunal to the arbitrament of which
we could submit them, an it was against the
genius OF our people to appeal to arms
Therefore L see with pain, upon the part of
some OF those with whom l have acted in DO.
hhcal organizations, a dispositions to advocate
peaceful settlements wherein there can be no
peace. Therefore this war must 90 on, not
Tor the purpose Of straightforward if those
who have commenced it bring upon themselves
that condition as an incidept, it will only be
another illustration OF the fruit Of sowing the
wind. Besides these there are no other poll
tics.
On the matter of the nomination, ! can not
consent that my name shall be used by any
p, rty. While on some things, as you are
aware, do not agree with the principles upon
which both the state and the national admin.
istrations Were inaugurated yet we are long
way past that. The republican party, having
won political victory, both in the state and IN
the nation, is entitled TO the patriotic endeavor
OF every man TO give it a fair trial in the adj.
minis lratlon OF the government, and in that,
1t should, as it does, take the lead in official
positions. And now there is left nothing for
us to contend against save any corruption, in.
,,f,
which doubt not would at once be rebuked
as well by republicans as by democrats But
as TAR as regards the personnel OF admnistra
ton, IN the state, | believe Gov Andrew has
enueavored faithfully, ZealduSly, an. efficient
ly, to put our commonwealth on the side of
the nation and to sustain the Union. | there.
fore for one, would not desire to see a change
IN the executive, although doubt not people
VIII desire changes in some OF the minor of
hcers. do not say | would vote for Govern
or Andrew, but Were l at home | would not
vote against him. Let it be understood, that
without distinction OF party and without rails
ing party issues, all men who love The Union
are determined to stand by it and the country
until this rebellion shall be quelled, and then
we may hereafter divide as we please upon the
minor differences Of administration of govern.
ment.
70 you, my dear friend, need no iustifi-
cation for this course You will appreciate
it, for you are aware of the sacrifice both of
eeling and of position, L made year ago,
in the earnest endeavor to save the country
from this calamity, which ! then partly fore
saw, and acting in the best light had, en-.
ieavored to prevent And am ready to
make life sacrifice now to repel that which
then sought to avert, l need to thank YOU |
md Others Off my friends tor this, among other
xlndneSses you have shown me-
Very truly yours, BENZ. +. BUTLER.
L. A HILDRErH, Esq.