The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1863-01-14
The Union" and the Times"

Union has such a violent attack of the
"Negro on the Brain" that he cannot
reason correctly on any subject connected
with the free American citizen of African
descent; and when person is known to
be all right on the negro question it is ev-
idence sufficient, in his mind, that such
an one is free from all the vices that men
are apt to possess. He has worked him
self into terrible passion by reading an
article in The Chicago Tines, respecting
jeff. Davis Message relative to GIN. But
Ter. We will give an extract. from the arti-
Gle, which has enraged him to such de-
gree that he has used expressions toward
those who conduct the paper that he wo'd
not have done in his calmer moments:
"The brutal tyrannies of Gen. Butler,
at New Orleans, recited in the late proc
lamation of jeff Davis, a0W, If they be
truly recited, amply justify the retalition
he threatens. 1t remains for our govern
ment either 10 disprove the charges or
punish Butler. If it fails to do this and
fails to make restitution, and so far as in
it lies, reparation, TO the victims of But
ler's robberies, it is the abettor of his
crimes. The charges of murder, arson,
robbery, oppression and attempts 10 excite
serville instruction, made by JEFF. Davis
against n Commanding General of our
armies should be met as they are stated
fairly and fully"
If the charges made by jeff, Davis are
true, wherein lies the offence in demand
ing that he be punished for his crimes?
We cannot see why the Editor of THE
Union should wish TO shield a criminal
from punishment, for crimes he has COM
mitted, unless it is through the influence
of the negro malady, which affects him To
such a degree that he has lost the power
of reasoning. If jeff. Davis was the ou-
ly person that had brought charges of
tyranny and oppression against Butler,
THE Chicago Times, in all probability,
would not have taken any notice of it.
But when such men rs johnson and the
Ministers of Foreign Countries, residing
at New Orleans, prefer criminal charges
against him, and The Administration at
Washington take no notice of them,
and jeff. Davis issues an order TO treat
Butler and all officers under him MS rob-
bers and murderers, thus Furnishing the
innocent with the guilty-we say, that
If the Administration does not pay
any attention to these enormous charges,
and thus protect the innocent officers that
have served under Butler, then it becomes
tho duty Of the Press to demand immedi-
lite investigation and punishment, if such
charges are sustained, in order TO protect
the lives Of those officers.
Buffers transactions at New Orleans
have been so far removed from us that
the greater part of the information receiv-
ed came through rebel sources. But we
have information of his and his brothers
operations, from northern men, that show
us how some of the princely fortunes they
acquired there were obtained. Butler is
charged with extorting from the inhabit-
ants of Louisiana the sum eight millions
Of dollars! If he has obtained one
fourth OF that amount, it must have been
acquired by gross oppression and acts that
would disgrace Barbarian. His treat
ment of the Clergymen of New Orleans
show spirit of Puritan Intolerance that
will not be approved by the great and
powerful masses who people the West.
If he has a right TO dictate to the Clergy
men of that City, the form and pwport
Of their prayers! then he has the same
right to dictate TO our Ministers at the
North! If our Ministers, who have not
prayed for Abe Lincoln, were all shut up
in Fort Warren, we should indeed be
then stripped of all goodness and purity
OF character at home.
Is not The Chicago Times right, then
in demanding that the charges preferred
against Butler sho'd be investigated (! TIL,
honor and integrity of our country demand
1t. But the Editor of The Union think,
the charges are without foundation-fo
ne has no precedent for believing that
government official, of the abolition stripe
has ever taken one dollar from the gov
eminent, or the people, since the war be
gan. Therefore he thinks himself iustifi
cd In calling them "Rebels," "Secess
lonlsts," "Traitors" and "Endorsers @