The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-11-07
Letter from Gen, Butler.

The following earnest and patriotic letter
from Gen. Butler will be read with interest,
aad particularly commends itself to the atten-
ton Of patriotic Democrats who seek to know
and do their duty in the present crisis:
3 HEADQUARrERs DEPARTMENT OF
oiaaiiV VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA,
In the Field, Va. Oct. 80, 1854.
Hon. William Clgfti1a, Chairman of the Re-
publican State Committee, Boston, Mass:
Dear Sir-I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your complimentary invitation
to address the people of Massachusetts at Fan
euil Hallupon the issues ofthe present canvass,
and should be pleased, if my duties in the field
would permit visit to my home, to confer
with my fellow citizens upon the great ques-
tions which are to be settled at the coming
election. aN totes 1la ha aal 81
Specially am DESTROYS so to do because l
am fully convinced that the election determines
the place of my country among the nations for
all coming time, and were it possible, as your
! Committee are kindly disposed to believe, that
anything / might do or say in Massachusetts
could influence that result, it would be my du-
ty laying aside all else to repair at once to the
| field where, in my judgment, the whole con-
test will be decided on the Sth of November.
But in such case If had such power would not
! go to Massachusetts, for "they that are whole
need no physician, but they that are sick, p and
cannot believe for q moment that there can
| be any considerable portion OF the citizens OF
! Massachusetts SO misled in their Judgment, so
| blinded by their prejudices, so unreasoning in
their party ties and SO unpatriotic in the effect
| of their misjudged action as to sustain by their
/ votes the principles enunciated in the Chicago
| platform, specially as the canvass differs from
| every other, in this-that the life or death OF
| the nation as power on earth depends on the
action of the hour. rfaE
A vote to forget our manhood; to abandon
the doctrines Of our fathers; to give up the
| hope of republican liberty forever; to check
| at once and forever the American nation in its
| great missionary march of civilization, pro-
gress and christian freedom to abandon the
hopes OF millions yet to be, can never be Civ
| en- by Massachusetts, or the country. 1t Is the
profoundest conviction of my judgment that
| such is the effect of the vote demanded BY
those who seek to establish the principles OF
| the Chicago resolutions,
We are asked to yield all our most cherished
convictions, to give up our principles, to stul-
| tify our reason, to abandon the graves of our
brothers and sons on every battle field, to pro-
| claim their lives failure, and their deaths as
naughti And for what? To open negotia-
lions viii la lose VIC refuse 10
try the not doubtful experiment of meeting
with diplomacy those ariAed to the teeth for a
| aght-to make friends with those who have
| declared themselves enemies and to extend
the hand of fellowship and take the hands o.
those who are reeking with our brothers blood
Ills will never consent to do.
When by repentance and "works meet for
repentance" the rebels acknowledge the wrong
they have done the country and mankind, and
submit to the laws of the country; when they
have assumed their constitutional obligations
ana iuinneo tnelr duties under the constitution
then will be the time for them and their friends
to ask for their constitutional rights.
When they come bringing the olive branch
of peace let them be received in peace. When
they come with the rife and the bayonet Iat
them be received in war
Thus have / ever read the glorious legeut
emblasoned in the shield of Massachusetts
"By the sword she seeks calm peace with lib
erty." %
Ithas been said by the opponents of the Gov
eminent that the army vote would decide thi:
contest. lat a %
1 earnestly and reverently pray God that |
NAV, for If expressed without the Intervention
of fraud or deceit, 1t will end the contest b
about the same majority over the opponents
of the Government that will be found of tn
true men in the ranks of the army over th
skuikers in the day of battle.
In any matter connected with the State is
sues at home, if there are any, there must b
still less use of my being with you.
No one can doubt of the reelection of tn
present Executive Government of Massachu
sets, for believe no one has ever questions
the ability, patriotism and Jealous energy {
the present Chief Magistrate. Although di
fering with him In some matters OF policy an
expediency, l have never, nor have The peopl
of the Commonwealth, ever questioned his a
ness for his position, or the ability and integr
ty with which he has sustained it. Ia
have the honor to be, a-ss
Very respectfully, -
Your obedient servant, u
BENZ. F. BUTLER,
55 8sa 5aalo Major General