The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-05-24
Major General Benjamin F. Butler.

more rapidly than years of peace. The
movements, which in times of quiet, progress
slowly and according to fixed rules and
customs, in war are wonderfully accelerated;
and the quick, self-reliant man, instantly
asserts his superiority over the mass OF
commonplace thinkers and workers.
Among those thus brought out into prom
inent relief, by the commissions Of the times,
no one attracts more general attention than
General BUTLER, of Massachusetts,. A
founding, it is said |; certainly of most OBJ
scure parentage, and of selfacquired educa-
tiOn; be has made himself, by bis remarka.
BILE ability, and in months time, the talk
of nation. General BUTLER is a man of
from forty to forty.fve years of age. In
appearance be presents the strangest posi-
BILE combination of the features which mark
the bulldog and those which stamp the
angel. Pugnacity and intellect beam out
from his face, with the fighting expression
largely predominant. He literally fought
his way into the world, and has thus far
fought his way through it; and at every
step he has exhibited powers of mind which
have justified his assumption of superiority.
A lawyer, he has won firm place in the
front rank CT his profession, in spite of the
hostility of judges, the characterization of
his brethren, and the prejudices of the peo-
pie. A politician, be has managed to get
position and hold it in bis party, against the
intrigues of wire-pullers, and the dislike of
the mass. A few months ago, he was
denied the privilege of explaining his course
as delegate to Charleston and Baltimore,
before the Democracy of Lowell, who sent
him as their representative. we suppose
bis carriage would now be drawn through
the streets of that city by the same men
who Kissed him from the platform then. He
is now in his proper element. Fighting is
as natural to him as eating, and much more
satisfying.
Gen. BUTLER, under the first call of the
President for volunteers, was appointed by
Gov. ANDREWS, Brigadier General of the
Massachusetts, troops. He had been long
connected with the volunteer militia, and
we believe held the rank of Brigadier Gen.
eral under the State organization. At the
head of the Massachusetts regiments, Gen.
BUTLER was imainly instrumental in open.
ing communication between the North and
the Capital ola Perrysvile and Annapolis.
He was placed in comma nd of the Depart>
ment of Annapolis, by Gen. ScoTT, and by
his discreet conduct, changed that city from
purlieu of disloyalty to one of loyalty to
the Federal government While at Annapo-
lis, negro insurrection was reported in the
neighborhood. Great CONSERVATION was
created among the population, because it
was feared the Northern soldiers would en-
courage the slaves to revolt. This feeling
was allayed by the prompt proffer, on the
part of Gen. BUTLER, of any force from his
command necessary to repress the insurrec.
ton. From that moment, revolution in
public sentiment has been going on in Ma
ryland the action of Gen. BUTLER showed
that the Northern troops did not march
into the South for the purpose of engaging
in an anti-slavery crusade, but were fighting
the battle of the Union and the Constitu-
ton, and stood prepared, if need be, to de-
fend Southern homes from the untold hor-
rors of a servile insurrection. Of course
this wise and polite action of BUTLER met
with censure at the North. The humani-
tarians Of the New York Tribune intimated
that be should encourage, rather than re-.
press, repetition of the horrors Of the San
Domingo massacre and Gov. ANDREWS of
Observation-Disclosures prefaced his eulogy
upon JOHN BROWN, delivered the day he
was hung, by the declaration that !" JOHN
BROWN WAS RIGHT Wrote Gen. BUTLER
milk.and-water letter of censure. In this
letter, the Governor characterized Gen.
Buffers action as " unnecessary" and de.
clared that servile insurrection among
ga community in arms against the Federal
Union, is no longer to be regarded by our
"troops in political, but solely in mill
tary point of view, and is to be contem-
"plated as one of the inherent weaknesses
"of the enemy, from the disastrous opera
tons of which we are under no obligation
"of military character to guard them"
Gen. Buffers response to this letter shows
not only the soldier, but the statesman and
the Christian gentleman. We commend it
to a careful perusal:
DEPARTMENT OF ANNAPOLIS
HEADQUARTERS, ANNAPOLIS, May 8, 1861:
To His Erceliency. John n. Andrea, Gover.
nor and COMMANDMENT. Chief:
SIR 81 have delayed replying to you Elk.
cellency's dispatch of the 25th April. in my
oh.c II invOlvod nn1u