The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-01-14
Cen. B. +. Butler on slavery.

Cen. AZ. +. Butler On Slavery.
This distinguished gentleman has been
for many years an influential member OF
the Democratic party.-lndeed, for long
time occupied the position of the recog'
nized Democratic leader in Massachusetts
.Sanctiouing and supporting the entire
Democratic creed his views on the Slavery
question were, of course, of rather pro
slavery stamp. He was delegate to the
Charleston Convention which nominated
John G. Breckenridge for President, and
supported him against Abraham Lincoln.
the successful candidate But immedi'
eiely upon the breaking out of thu Rebel
lion, he took strong ground in favor OF the
Government, and has ever since been ac-
tire'y engaged in its service. His career
ia New Orleans is familiar to all eur rea-
dsrs, and We need only say in reference
10 it that it has been such as to exhibit
on his part great sagacity and adminlstra-
tive ability as well as the most devoted
LOYALTY. Our only object is to call atten.
ton to the following extract from his
farewell address, issued on leaving the
above named city. Read it, and mark his
emphatic confession of change of views
aud feeling in regard to Slavery. Yes,
read 1t, Democrats, and profit by the fact
that one of the ablest and most influential
Of your political persuasion was made an
Au,i-Slavey man BY proofs brought before
his eyes of the perniclous effects of the
system of human bondage:
off you desire to leave to your children
the inheritance you received of your ia
thers-a stable Constitutional Covenant
If 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 stands in
the way.
There is but one thing that at this hour
stands between you aud the Government,
and that is Slavery.
The institution, cursed OF God, which
has taken its last refuge here, in his prov
idence will bc rooted out as 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 affinity, inclined to sustain your
domestic laws, if BY possibility they might
he with safety to to the Union.
Months of experience and ofobservation
have forced the conviction that the exls-
tepce of Slavery is incompatible with the
safety either ofyourselves or Of the Union.
As tie system has gradually grown to its
present huge dimensions, it were best il
it could be gradually removed, bu. it is
better, far better, that it should be taken
out at once than that it should longer
yitiate the social, political, and family re.
latious Of your country, | am speaking
WIN bO p4fli@3Aii'o t'S N4N"7 "0 S-o'i Va" '''N
slave, bat simply of the effect of Slavery
on the matter. See for yourselves.
Look around you and say whether this
saddcniug, deadeaing influence, has not al
but destroyed the very framework OF your
society.
am speaking the farewell words of one
vino has shown his devotion to his coun
try, at the peril of his life and fortune
who in these words can have neither hope
nor interest, save the good Of those whom
he addresses; aud let mo here repeat
with all the solemnity of an appeal tC
Heaven 10 bear me witness, that such are
the views forced upon me by experience.
Come, then, to the unconditional sup
port of the Government. Take into your
own hands your own institutions remode
them according to the laws of nations and
nf God, and thus attain that great pros
perity assured to you by geographical
position, ouly portion of which was here.
tofore yours"
EE-The Attorney General has just
.'tu.roA kis apiniop on tho puastioD