The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-11-18
Butler with an Olive Branch.

Butler with an Olive Branch.
There are some indications that notwith>
standing the defeat Of the Democratic can
didstes in the late presidential election, the
influence of Democratic principles and the
force of Democratic ideas may yet manifest
themselves in the administration of the gov
ernment. Since the election great many
of the Republican leaders have suddenly
found out that the Democrats are not traits
OTIS. after all that they have an interest
equal to, if not greater than theirs in the
preservation of the Union and that both
parties are really seeking to accomplish the
same patriotic purpose, though they differ
as to the means to be employed. 1t is ex>
tremely unfortunate that the Republicans
did not make these discoveries few weeks
or few months, sooner. How many heart
burnings, and bitter hatreds, and savage
insults which can never be atoned for nor
forgotten, would have been avoided if, a
few months ago, the Republican party had
been willing to concede to the Democracy
the same patriotism which they are now
willing to acknowledge Late ~ the &C.
acknowledgement comes, We are still glad to
see it and to hail it as the harbiDger of a
better day-a day when freedom Of thought
and opinion will be again tolerated and
when men may freely express their opinions
without being assailed by opprobrions
epithets or subjected to personal imprison
ment and violence. - al
But it is nOt merely the growing practice
of courtesy towards the Democratic party
TO which we desire to call attention. Re-
publicans have been examining the Chicago
platform and, now that the election is over,
find in it not very much to condemn. They
even propose to adopt some Of its principles
in the future management Of affairs. In
speech in New York, last Monday evening
General BUTLER who, upon the principle
that "a renegade is worse than ten Turks
has "out,heroded Herod" in his hostility to
the Democratic party, expressed the fol
lowing sentiments, amid enthusiastic ap
plause: .....
'Ta view, therefore. Of the unanimity Of
the American people, in view Of the
strength and majesty OF the law, in view OF
the might Of the nation, might it not be
suggested that now is good time fer Us
once again to ho'd out to Tie del,ided men Of
tie South lie otice branch Of p:acs, and say
10 them, "Come back, come Jack aow. This is
the last time of asking. Come back, and
leave the feeding upon husks and come
With US to the fat Of the land, and let by
cones be by cones, if by-gones are by.
cones and our country will live in peace
hereafter Loud applause Are we not
able to afford that now2 Do We not stand
strong enough? Do We not stand with
Union enough to be able to afford that to
the leaders and to all2 There might haze
been reason, think, among proud and
chiualrous people that they ,oould not desert
their leaders in aaswer TO the amnesty Of
President Lincoln; tut nop has come an
hour phen are can say, "Come back, come
back" oad submit to the taos, and thea you
skaU fad eractty such taVs as before, ercept
SO far as they are altered blythe good judgment
fhe legislatures cfsie land (Applause.)
Spoken by Democrat, two weeks ago,
.ho above sentiments would have been de
bounced as tho very essence of treason
The English language would scarcely
have afforded episbets vile enough, to char
acterize the unfortunate wight wko dared
to give utterance to such Thoughts. BEEcH.
sR, who was present and loudly app!auded
BUTLER, would have Illuminated against the
Democrat who dared to dream OF peace and
reunion as desirable things, all the clerical
suathemss he could collect into his Sunday
nights sermon; and GREELEY, who was al
so delighted with BUTLER, would have
ground out ponderous, two-column edito.
rial, to prove tie "whits livered peace
sneak" traitor to his country, and worthy
of instant incarceration or death. A change
has come over the spirit of their dreams;
the election is past; they have new lease
Of power and they can now afford to pub
lsh the truth without danger to their party.
1t is useless to indulge in repinings for
what might have been, but who can doubt
that if the Republican party had been vii
ing to conccde as much wisdom to the
Democracy as they now do, the North
would be stronger than it now is, and it's
people tenfold happier than now. 1t is true,
MCCLELLAN might have elected President
ont it is also true that be would have devo.
ted all the energies Of the government, to
the early restoration of peace and Union.
with a much greater chance Of success than
can attend Mr.. LlScoLN's adc,ti0u Of the
same means. an ~