The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-01-16
Farewell address of Gen. Butler.

Gen. Butler, previous to his departure from
New Orleans, issued an address to the people
of that city. The whole address is too long
for the space we have to devote to 1t.
Herecounts to the citizens of the Crescent
City," the benefits which have been conferred
upon them.by the Federal occupations OF the
city, in advantage of trade and the establish
ment Of proper police regulations.
The conclusion of this address is remark
able, as showing how stern experience will
modify the views of those placed in respon-
sible positions, as to the manner in which
slavery is to be treated in the conduct Of
the war.
Reviewing the address the New York Eve.
ming Post says that General Buffers words
are words of common sense. well worth the
attention of all men North as we'll as South.
He has tried to reconcile Union and slavery
and he has found it impossible to maintain
both. He was pro-slavery Democrat. His
varied experience during tho war, in most
arduous and resposible command, has shown
him that if we are to have free government
on this continent we must destroy slavery,
the enemy Of free speech, of free labor, and
of popular intelligence. The address con-
cludes as follows:
al conjurc you, il you desire ever to see
renewed prosperity, giving business to your
streets and wharyes-if you hope to see your
city become again the mart of the western
world, fed by its rivers for more than three
thousand miles, draining the commerce OF u
country greater than the mind of man hath
ever onceived-return to your allegiance.
II you desire to leave to your children the
the inheritance you received of your fathers
- stable constitutional governmental
you desire that they should in the future
be portion of the greatest empire the sun
ever shone upon-return to your allegiance.
There is but one thing that at this hour
stand, beticeen you andthe government, that rs
sldrery.
The institution, cursed of God, which has
taken its last refuge here, in His providence
will be rooted out us the tares from the wheat,
although the wheat be torn up with it.
have given much thought to this subject.
came among you, by teachings, by habit
of mind. by political position, by social If
6aity, inclined to sustain your domestic laws,
if by possibility they might be with safety
to the Union.
Months Of experience and o observation hare
forced the conriction that the existence Of
Slarery is Incompatible iciM the safety either
of youselrei Or of the Union. As the sys-
TEN has gradually grown to its present huge
dimensions, it were best il it could DO grad.
ually removed; but it is better, far better,
that it should be taken out at once thar that
il should longer vitiatc the social, political
and the family, relations Of your country.
am speaking with no philanthropic views
as regards the slave, but simply OF the effect
of slavery on the master. See for yourselves.
Look around you, and say whether this
saddcning, deadning influence has not all but
destroyed the very framework Of your society.
am speaking the farewell words of one
who has shown his devotion to his country,
at the peril of his life and fortune, who in
these words can have neither hope nor inter-
est save the good of those whom no addresses;
and let me here repeat, with all the solemni-
ty of an appeal to Heaven to bear me witness.
that such are the views forced upon me by
experience.
Come then to the unconditional support
of the government. Take into your own
hands your own institutions; remodel them
according to the laws of nations and Of God,
and thus attain that great prosperity assured
to you by geographical position, only por-
ton Of which was heretofore yours"