The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-06-13
Servile Insurrectious.

letter to Gen. Butler took occasion to
cehsure the latter for rendering his aid TO
Gov. Hicks of Maryland, to suppress ser
vile inrectohs. He remarks:
If l rightly understand the telegraph
dispatch. think that your action in tend
ering to Gov Hicks the assistance Of our
Massachusetts, troops to suppress threat
ened servile insurreciion among the hos
tile people Of Maryland, was unnecessary.
| hope that The fuller dispatches, which
are their way from you. may show rea-
sons why | should modify my opinion
concerning that particular instance; but in
general | think that the matter of servile
insurrecton among community in arms
against the Federal Unlcn, is no longer TO
be regarded by our troops in political,
but solely in military point of view. and
is to DE contemplated AS one of the inher-
ent weaknesses of the enemy, from the
disasterens operations of which we are un :.
der obligations of a military character
to guard them. in order that they may be
enabled to improve the security which
our armies would afford, so as to prouecute
with meie energy their traiiorous attacks
upon the Federal Government and Capitol.
! The mode in which such on breaks are to
be considered should dep"pd entirely upon
the loyalty or disloyalty of the community
in which they occur, and in the vicinity of
Annapolis, | can on this occasion perceive
no reason of military policy why forco
cummond to the defense Of the Federal
Government at this moment Of all others,
should be offered to be diverted from its
immediate duty. to hold rebels. who stand
with arms in their hands, obstructing its
progress towards the civ of Washington.
In reponse, Gen, Butler dispatched to
Gov. Andrew the following admirable
reply. 1t contains sentiments not only
just in themselves but they will 90 far to
disarm the prejud:ces Of the Southern
against the Northern people. and TO restore
that feeling of amity which existed in the
early days Of the Republic, and satisfy
the former that there is no disposition on
the Fart of the great bod; of the conser-
vative citizen Northern States to trespass
on any of their constitutional rights or in
terfere with their domestic institution. Gen.
Butler says:
The telegraph. with more than usual ac-
curacy. had rightly informed your Excel
lency that had offered the services of the
Massachusetts troops under my command.
to aid the authorities of Maryland in sup
pressnga a threatened slave insurrection
Fortunately f r us all, the rumor of such
an outbreak was without substantial foun
dalion. Assuming. as your Exceliency
does in your dispatch. that | was carry
ing on military operations in an euemy'
country when war l'oulrance was to be
waged, my act might be a matter of dis
cussion. And in that view, acting in the
light of the Baltimore murders and the ap
pareutly hostile position OF Mary land, your
Excellency might, without mature reilec-
ton, have come To the conclusion of diSap
probation expressed in your dispatch.
But the facts, especially as now aided bv
their results, will entirely justify my act
and relns.ate me in Excellency's good opiu-
ion.
True, landed on the soil of Maryland
against the formal protes! of its Governor.
and of The corporate authorizes of Annap
oils but without any armed OPPOSITION on
their part, and expecting opposition only
from insurgents assembled in liotous con.
tempt The laws OF this SS.a,e Before
my letter and at The time of landing. by
personal interview. | had informed Gov
Hicks that soldiers Of the UnioO, under
my command. we're armed only against
the insurgents and disturbers of the peace
of MARYLAND and the United States. | re-
oeived from Governor Picks assurances OF
the loyalty of the State to the union, assur I
ances which subsequen, events have tu!ly
justified. The Mayor of Annapolis also in
form me that the city authorities would
in no wise oppose me. but that was in
great danger from the excited and riolOus
mob of Baltimore pouring down upon me-
and in numbers beyond the cotrol OF his
police. j assured both the Governor and |
Mayor that l had no fear of a Baltimore or
other mob. and that supported by the au-
thorities of the State and city. l should
repress all hoslil demon stations. the laws
Of Maryland and the United States. and
that | would protect both myself aud the
city of Annapolis from any disorderlv per-
son Whatever. On the morning following !
my landing was informed that the city
of Annapolis and envious were in danger
from an insurrection Of The slave popula
tion in defiance of the laws Of the State
What was / to do? l had promised to
put down a white mob and to preserve
and enforce The laws against that. Ought
10 allow black one any preference iu
breach of the laws? [ understood that ,
was armed against all infracdons Of the
laws. whether by white or black. and up
on that understanding acted, certainly |
with promptness and efficiency. Your
Exceilency's shadow Of disapprobation ari-
sen from misunderstanding of the facts.
hrs caused all the regret have had for that
action. Ths question seemed to me to be
neither military or political. and was not
To be Treated. 1t was simply a question
of good faith and honesty of purpose.
The benign effect of my course was in
stantly seen. The good but timid people
OF Annapolis. who had fed from their
houses at our approach. Immediately re-
turned; business resumed its accustomed