M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1861-05-30
Maj. Gen. Butler on Slavery.
DEPARTMENT OF ANNAPOLIs,

! DIR: nave delayed replying II
your Excellency's dispatch OF April 2I
10 my other dispatches, because as i
Involved only disapprobatiOn of an &C
done, conched in the kindest Ian
guage, ! supposed the interest of tn,
country could not suffer from the de
lay; and incessant labor up to thC
present moment has prevented my
giving full consideration to the topic
Temporary illness, which fofbids
bodily activity, gives me now a mo-
ment's pause.
The Telegraph, with more thar
usual accuracy, had rightly informed
yo1r Excellency that | had offered the
services of the Massachusetts, troops
under my command to aid the authori
ties Of Maryland in suppressing g
threatened slave insurrection. For
tunately for us all, the rumor Of sncf
an outbreak was without substantial
foundation. Assuming, as your Elk,
cellency does in your dispatch, that
was carrying on military operations in
an euemy's country, when a war
toutranCe was to be waged, my act
might be matter of discussion; and
in that view, acting in the light of the
Baltimore murderers. and the appar-
emily hostile position OF Maryland,
your Excellency might, without ma.
tuie reflection, have come to the cor
clusion Of disapprobation expressed
in your dispatch. But the facts, es.
pecially as now aided by their results,
will entirely justify my act and rein
state me in your Excellency's good
opinion.
True, landed on the soil of Mary.
land against the formal protest of it's
Governor and ofthe corporate authori.
ties Of Annapolis, but without any
armed opposition on their part, and
expecting opposition only from insur-
gents assembled in riotous contempt
of the laws Of this State. Before, by
letter, and at the time of landing, by
personal interview, I had informed
Governor Hicks that soldiers of the
Union, under my command, were
armed only against the inSurgenta aud
disturbers of the peace of Maryland
and of the United States. received
from Governor Hicks assurances of the
loyalty Of the State to the Union, as
surances which subsequent events
have fully justified. The Mayor Of
Annapolis also informed me that the
city authorities would in no wise op.
pose me, but that was in great dan
ger from the excited and riotous mobs
OF Baltimore pouring down upon me,
and in numbers beyond the control of
bis police. assured both the Cover
nor and Mayor that had no fear of a
Baltimore or other mob, and that sup.
ported by the authorities of the State
and city, | should lepress all hostile
demonstrations against the laws of
Maryland and the United States, and
that would protect both myself and
the city OF Annapolis from any disor-
derly persons whatsoever. On the
morning following my landing | was
informed that the city Of Annapolis
and environs were in danger from an
nsuTectiOn OF the slave population, in
defiance of the laws of the State
What was | to dol had promised to
put down white mob and to preserve
and enforce the laws against that
Ought 10 allow black one any
preference in breach OF the lawsl |
understood that was armed against
all infractions of the laws, whether by
white or black, and upon that under
standing acted, certaialy with
promptness and efficiency. As your
Excellency' 'sShadow ofdisapprobation
arising from misunderstanding of
the facts, has caused all the regrets |
have had for that action. The ques.
ton seemed to me to be neither mill.
tary or political, and was not to be so
treated. 1t was simply a question of
good faith and honesty Of purpose. -
The benign effect of my course was
instantly seen. The good but timid
people Of Annapolis who had fed from
their houses at our approach, imme-
diate.y returned; business resumed its
accustomed channels; quiet and order
prevailed in the city; confidence took
the place Of distrust, friendship Of en-
nifty, brotherly kindness of sectional
hate, and | believe to day there is no
city in the Union more loyal than the
city of Annapolis. Think, therefore,
| may safely point to the results for
my justification. The vote of the
ghboring county Of Washington, a
few days since, for its delegate to the
Legislature, wherein 1900 ont Of
5000 votes were thrown for a delegate
favorable for the Union, is among the
many happy frpits Of firmpess of pur.
pose, efficiency Of action, and integ-
rity Of mission. = | believe, indeed, it
will not rennire a personal inter.