Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-01-30
SUNDAY NIGHTS DISPATCHES.
Gen. Butler at HOme-He Makes n
Speech. ..........

LOWELL, MASS, Jan. 29.-Maj. Gen. But
Ter arrived here at noon yesterday, and in
the evening addressed the citizens. There
was a great and enthusiastic gathering of
people, probably 1000 were present. The
demonstrations were of a tlattering char
acter Gen. Butler said he would speak of
what had happened to the country and what
had occurred in the department TO take
command of which he had left year ago
last November. On assuming the position,
he had looked about him to see what he was
to do. He found 1900 freed men needing
his attention. 1t had been demonstrated
that the former slave population could make
itself self-supporting, and that they were
capable of education. He said he had set
tied every point regarding the exchange of
prisoners, but one, viz: in regard to
colored troops. The rebels threatened
to enslave them. He then proposed him
self to carry on q system of special eX-
changes, till he had reduced the proportion
of prisoners, so that while they might have
some five hundred in their hands, he would
have fifteen thousand, and then he could
say, make slaves of these five hundred,
and 1 will set these fifteen thousand at
work, and we will see." The General re-
ferred to orders he had received to stop all
exchanges, and said that if he was asked
why he left fifteen thousand starving in
rebel prisons, he could declare that the
stain of their blood was not on his gar
ments.
He spoke somewhat in detGil of the move
ment of the Army of the James on Bermu-
da HUNDRED, and of the Army OF the Poto-
mac from the Rapidan on Mechanicsville,
the design of these movements, and the
cause of their failure, and then pro-
ceeded to speak of the affair at
Wilmington and Fort Fisher. The General
spoke at length on this subject, and then
referred to the explosion of Dutch Gap
Canal. 1t did not make, perhaps, so large
hole as the mine at Petersburg, but he had
not filled it with American dead until it ran
with blood. He desired to have inscribed
on his tombstone, in that little enclosure
where his remains would one day be laid.
"Here lies the General who saved the lives
of his soldiers at Fort Fisher and Big
Bethel" He had criticized no man, but he
had criticized somewhat sharply the froth
which always accompanied "lively fortune"
Gen. Butler then proceeded to discuss the
prospects of the National cause. He
was prepared for more endurance, more
strife in the service of his country. If at
any time In the future his country needed
his service it would be freely rendered as
in the past. Whatever mistakes may have
been committed by men at the head of af-
fairs we should not spare our efforts. Don't
be carried away by any delusive idea of
peace. The time tor peace has not come
To talk of peace until the army of Lee
is captured or whipped, is vain
See that the Union armies are kept filled,
and that recruiting goes on. OF our ulti-
mate success there could be no doubt. In
conclusion, he apologized for speaking at
such length. He was ordered to report at
Lowell, and he reported in full, They had
a right to know if their welcome was wor-
thily bestowed. He referred to the pros
perity of the people, and said that Gen.
Terry would send them that from Whining
ton which would make all their spindles
turn with the hum Of industry.