Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-12-24
RUTLAND HERALD
THURSDAY, DEC. "a, 1868.

administration in New Orleans has been
lrepcwi by james Parton. The volume
contains . i the story of General Buffers
previous life, and Ct his connection with
events immediately preceding the OUT
break OF the rebellion. The last mention
cd pc. ion Of the h ok throws much addi-
tonal light upon the course taken by the
soHthern leaders in the inauguration of
their secession movement.
As is we'll known Gen. Butler warmly
supported the nomination of Breckenridge
in 1860 for the presidency. After the
election Of president Lincoln he repaired
to Washington to confer with the demo-
cratic leaders upon the future course of
the party. He found his southern friends
all ripe for secession, and South Carolina
had already taken the lead. They told
him the Union was dead that they should
have room for their northern friends, and
invited him to Join them. He asked them
if they had counted the cost: if they were
prepared for civil war. "Oh,' said they,
"there will be no war the North will
not fight" The North iciU fight" he
replied. " The North can't fight; we
have friends enough at the North to pre-
vent it," g You have friends at the
North as long as you remain true to the
Constitution. But let me tell you, that
the moment it is seen that you mean to
break up the country, The North is a
unit against YOU. Our people
don't yet believe you are in earnest. But
lot me tell you this" said Gen. Butler,
"as sure as you attempt to break up this
Union, the North will resist the attempt
to Its last man and its last dollar. You
are as certain to fail as that there is a
God in Heaven. One thing you may do !;
yeu NAV ruin the Southern States, and
extinguish your institution of slavery
From the moment the first gun Is fired
upon tho American flag your slaves will
not be worth five years purchase. But
as to breaking up the country, it can not
be DONE God and nature, and the blood
of your fathers and mine have made it
one, ami one country 1t must remain"
Gen. Butler warned them, of course to no
purpose.
While the South Carolina "ambassa-
doris" were in Washington, Butler pro-
posed to the Attorney General to try them
for treason. a
aThis advice was sound to the core and
worthy of great lawyer, and of an Amer
lean who comprehended thoroughly the
meaning Of lawful liberty. OF course il
was not needed. The g commissioners OF
or ambassadors heard of it.
uWhy, you would not hang 81" sale
Mr.. Orr, one OF them, to Butler.
,s0h, no." was the reply, "not unless
you were found guilty.
Gen. Butler returned to Massachusetts
aud advised immediate preparations TO
war.
We pass over subsequent events 70
want of space and come to his admlnlstra
ton at New Orleans. The information
derived from the book upon this subject
valuable. Many of the dispatches an
letters printed are now made public 70
the first time and we may add, for tn
information of the reader, that Gen. But
lers dispatches are remarkably readable
and deserve and will reward attentive pc
rusai. We have only room for the follow
ing extracts from this portion of the 70
ume: T
"On entering the city, the same order
were given as on the march into Bait
more silence no notice to be taken {
mere words; if shot were fired from
house, halt, arrest inmates, destroy house
if Aired upon from the crowd, arrest tn
man if possible, but not fire into the crow
unless absolutely necessary for self defenc'
and then not without orders.
Gen. Phelps, who was already know
andhated by all secessionists as rampar
abolitionist, but who is singularly feal
less old gentleman" came on shore 1
twilight, and walked about the city III
attended and unmolested. Nay, he r.
ported that the people whom he ha
spoken to answered, his inquiries wit
politeness despite bis uniform " Yc
did not mention your name, did yol
general % asked an Office, g No." n
piled he, laughing, No on asked it."
The interview of General Butler wit
the Mayor Of New Orleans, enlivened b
a sprightly episode in which mobis sun
MARTY dealt with, is the subject Of
edifying description, which we cann
The three officers and Mr.. Glenn ne
proceeded to the City Hall in search
the Mayor. They found that public fun
tionary, after some delay. They inform'
him, with all possible courtesy, that Ge
Butler, commanding .,aae Department
theGE!e, had established his headquarte
at the st. Charles Hotel, where he wou
be happy to confer with the Mayor al
Council'of New Orleans, at 2 o'clock {
thatday. The reply Of the Mayor was
theeffeot that his place Of business was
thesEity Hall, where any gentleman vi
had business with him could see him du
nn1Ns Eronoh ,,nl,taIv