The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-07-17
B1DDEFoRD ME-, FRIDAY MORNING, JULY Il, 1863.

Of her abuser," because she declared she was
his daughter,-and every one In the room,
looking upon the man and woman confront.
ing each other, confessed that the resemblance
justified tho assertion.
After tho conclusion of oil tho evidence in
the case, the General continued in the same
position as before, and remained for some
timo apparently lost In abstraction. shall
never forget the singular expression on his
face had been accustomed to sec him in
storm OF passion ut any instance of oppres.
sion or fragrant injustice; but on this occa.
sion be was too deeply affected to obtain re-
lief in tho usual way. % His whole Dir was
one of detection. almost listlessness; his in
dignation too intense, and his anger too stern,
to find expression even in his countcnance.
Never have seen that peculiar look but
on three or four occasions similar to tho ono
am narrating, when knew he was ponder
ing upon the baleful curse that had cast its
withsring blight upon all around. until the
manhood and humanity wero crushed out OF
tho people, and outragcs such rs the above
were looked upon with complacency. and the
perpetrators treated as respected and worthy
citizcns. = and that he was realizing the
great truth, that. however man might en-
deavor to guide this war to the advantage OF
filvorite idea or sagacious policy, the Al
mighty was directing it surely and steadily
for the publication Of our country from this
greatest of national sins.
But to return to my story. After sitting
in the mood which have described ut such
length, the General again turned to the pris..
oner. and said, in o quiet, subdued tone OF
yoice,-"Mr. Landry, ] dare not trust my.
self to decide to day what punishment would
bo meet for your offence, for am in that
state of mind that fear might exceed the
strict demands Of justice. | shall therefore
place you under guard for the present, until
| conclude upon your sentence"
A few days after, number OF influential
citizens having represented to tho General
that Mr.. Landry was not only n "high.toned
gentleman" but person of unusual "AMl.
ABILITY" of character, and was consequently
entitled to no small degree of lenicncy, he
answered, that, in consideration of the pris-
oner's enlightened" character, and especially
of his "amiability," of which he had seen
80 remarkable a proof, he had determined to
Ucct tntiT NlOWo, uuu tuOiUioio oiuOiSN s'"s
Landry give deed Of manumission to the
girl, and pay ino of five hundred dollars,
to be placed in the hands Of o trustee for her
benefit.
1t is the passing through such scenes as |
have described, and the contemplation OF the
condition to which Slavery has reduced socie-
ty ut the South, combined with natural IN
clination to espouse the cause of tho oppress
cd, that has placed General Butler in the
front rank of the "Champions OF Freedom. "
remember, so long ago as last July. his
turning to me, after reading tho story of our
sad reverses in Virginia, and remarking that
he believed God was directing tho Issues OF
the war for great purpose, and that only
in 80 fur as we followed His guidance should
we be successful. have heard him repeat
this in effect several times since, and have
seen the conviction growing within his mind
deeper and deeper. rs events proved its cor
rectness, down to the present time.
And yet an Episcopal clergyman OF New
York told me, the other evening, that Gen.
eral Butler was an Atheist"