Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1863-04-18
BEN. BUTLER.

This somewhat notorious Maj. General
has made speech in New York and Las
enunciated his theory in regard to the
status Of our Southern enemies, and has
given his views as to the conduct Of the
war. He goes the whole length of the
most extreme radical ideas, and several
steps beyond. He takes the position that
the war is neither riot, an Instruction
or rebellion, but an actual revolution,
and that all the people of those States
which have joined the Confederacy have
forfeited all claims under the old Consti-
tuition, and that they are to be regarded.
to all intents and purposes, as alien ene-
mics. He claims that our government has
virtually acknowledg ed this fact in the
blockade Of their ports, exchange of pris-
oners,' &c. lie avows bis opposition to
restoration of the Union as it was, but
fee, not in the old style, but with all the
modern improvements. AS the Israelites
disposed their alien enemies of the land
of Canaan, SO be would have the govern.
ment take the land and property which we
may seize, and apporion it out to the vol
unteer soldiers. He is in favor of armng
the negroes. and thinks they will make
good soldiers. He is to have the South
come back bound to the triumphal car of
victory-we are to subjugate them and
make them territories of the United States
acquired by the force of arms, precisely
as we acquired California and Nevada
Those who are most intimately &C.
quainted with Ben. BUTLER agree, that
while he is entitled to but little credit for
moral honesty or patriotism, he is possess.
ed of inCrdinate ambition, and no small
share of shrewdness. He aspires to the
leadership of whatever party he may
affiliate with, and will generally be found
occupying an advanced position in that
party, whose star is in the ascendant His
knowledge Of the men with whom he is
now associated and Of the measures which
they maintain satisfies him that the time
is rapidly approaching when, if success.
full, the republican party will avow their
hostility to the old constitution and the
Union as it was, and assume, as conquer
ors, to dictate to the South such terms as
will comport with the ultra ideas Of rali
Gals, while if unsuccessful they will be
come the advocates of division and recog.
milton of the Southern Confedcracy. and
with his accustomed shrew!ness he evi.
IDENTITY wishes so to place himself upon
the record as to be among those who shall
have the credit of first suggesting a
change Of political base. He follows
Greeley and Conway so far as the ques-
ton of alien enemies is concerned, but
attempts to avoid the unpopulari,y of
their convictions as to the final result, BY
assuming that success upon our part is a
foregone conclusion.
The fact cannot be successfully contro.
verted, that the great mass of the repub-
lican party are unalterably determined
that the destruction Of slavery shall be the
result Of the present war, that there shall
be no reconstruction of the Union upon
the basis Of the old Constitution. If We
oan conquer and subjugate the South they
are to be held under military rule until so
rePublicanized as that they are willing to
consent to such terms az may be proposed,
but 1t We cannot then they are to be per.
mitted to depart in accordance with the
programme Of Conway and Greeley. The
approaches to this position viii be gradual.
Conway and Greeley are now denounced !;
Butler may be also, but it will be remcm.
bered that Fremont lost his position, and
Hunter was left alone for assuming, in
advance, precise y the doctrine that soon
after became a leading administration
measure. Whatever may be the present
views or future intentions Of the party in
power. the duty of the Democracy is none
tshe ess clear. On. motto must be 1.-The
Ua:on shall be restored aud to accomp-
iish this We must cooperate with any and
All parties for the suppression Of the re-
bellion. Our eLd can be attained in no
other way; and when the time comes for
negotiating terms OF peace we shall be in
condition to command the respect of
the wlole country. and to require ultra.
,sts North as well as South. to Weld to
such conditions as will be alike jus. and
honorable 10 all, and sach IS viii secure
union ard perpetual peace.