The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-02-07
Gen Rntler

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Gen. Butler
The Auny and Nary Joarnal,wbich
has hitherto retrained from any direct
expression Of opinion in regard TO But
I lers failure At Fort Fisher, discourses
as follows:
+ How intimately what is profan ly
called red tape is connected with tie
life and reputation OF grea! officers,
has been shJnn in the case OF Gen.
Butler during the present week. For
months he has been charged by his
enemies with having distracted and
converted 10 bis own use fifty thousand
dollars in gold belonging TO merean.
tile firm ia New Orleans. The explana-
liou given ia the House OF Represen-
lalives, of the facts upon woich this
charge Was founded, shows clearly
rthat lie was not guilty or blameable in
act or intention. He took the money
at the instance of civil officers lie APP
pii i it irregularly to useful public
purpose aud having done well he re-
ceived only cruel blaHe. This was
the penaltj, not Of the act, but the ir-
regular manner in which il was done.
So OF another case related Of him, that
the end completely justified his action;
lie not only meant but accomplished
good But the irregularity Of the act
subjected him 10 most injurious asper-
sions.
He cut red tape and red tape was
reycnged upon him. Was he there
| fore 10 blanc? II is difficult to Judge
in such a case; certainly il is impos-
sible 70 Ia down a c9ral rule, a
commander mnst Judge for himself
bnt let him remember that he takes
his reputation in his hands, whenever
he determines TO 'cut red tape. Nor
is this wrong; for il men were easily
excused for violating even for good
ends, those rules and forms 10y which
public business is carried on, we
should presently come 70 disorders o.
ali kinds and tie door would be OPP
encd for all kinds Of usurpatioDs Of
power.
1ht coso of Con Butler has been
recently discussed a good deal; his
friends have defended him vigorously ;
and the injustice which tie public
came near doiHg him is, We think and
hope, pu aside. Menjudge him more
dlscriminalingly, and remember his
good qualities, as well as his faults
aud errors. Yet, unless W misjudge
The public opinion, there is general
acquiescence in his removal; a very
! general consent that lie shall be set
aside, nj least for the present.
And this acquiescence AID consent
are no, caused by his failure at Fort
! Fisher, or at Dutch Gap II is alb
suid 70 say that ans body expected
success from any military enterprise
with which Gen. Butler was entrust-
ed. The public expected from him IN
such affairs, because it was convinced
tbat h's great abilities lay not at all in
that direction. 1t has always struck
US with surprise that a man as clear
headed and shrewd rs Butler should
/ be ready TO attempt tasks for whlch he
must or ought TO know Ii mself unfit
ted. An administration of great and
undoubied talent, his management OF
affairs in Baltimore, in New Orleans
and in New York has reflected hiel
credit upon him. AT the same time
whenever he has taken npou himself
Tie duties of a general in the field, h'
has failed. From Big Bethel TO Fort
Fisher, be has not military victory
to his name. Nor is this surprising
lie has never lad experience. While
Other volunteer officers were learning
the art Of war in the field, Butler was
we think, more usefuily employed il
LAHORE OF civil administration.
Tie satisfaction 1T his retirement
comes, not from surprise or discomfort
with bis military failures, bat from til,
possession Of power had bad c4icc
upon him, aud that lie ceased 10 lie ;
safe servant for free people.
A man oi immense energy, Of pow.
eifIl will, aud Of hasty temper, b,
has, according TO the testimony even
OF his friends. become arbitrary, ty
rannical, imperious, regardless OF Laws
and regulations, riding too roughly
and too readily over established form:
aad usaees. That so many, even o
those WHO heartily admire his talents
aod are grateful ioF bis services, view
I with quiet satisfaction bis fab, arise
probably, for the mo. part, from the
fact that the tales oi lis arbitrary ,rcck
less and unscrupuious use Of power
had undermined their confidence il
him as the SER ani d a free people
And herein let bs iall be a wsrnin.
10 others g. well himself. Howevei
patiently the American people mas
bear, ia great emergencies, with the
exercise ol arbitrary power; nha,es
rr price they may he wiling. tempo
rarDy, 10 psy ior efficiency aud tlgoF
they never fail 10 resent. and 10 pom
ish al SIC proper time those wh0 Il
this way have offended against ibei
rights and dignity. They 30 poi lor
gel. and they ought not. In tie Al
mo.i auiyers4l acquisecenee 10 0ei
Buffers removal, men of his moui
ard tasnlar maY kee lie fate which