East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1865-04-19
VICTORY. AND PEACE
Speech by Maj. Gen. b. r. Butler.

The following speech was made by
General Butler at Washington, on the
occasion of the rejoicing over the sur
render Of Lees army:
FELLow-cITHESs---I am profoundly
grateful, and thank you once again
that you have called upon me TO join
you in your congratulations upon this
great triumph of our arms, which
conquer and subjugate mosthenious
rebellion against the American people.
The surrender of Lee and his army
puts an end TO this traitorous war,
waged to overthrow the Government.
Even now, while the heart turns in
gratitude to God for His providence,
while the soul burns with gladness at
the result which, rightly understood,
renews the life of the nation forever,
new, vital and controlling questions,
to be settled in the Immediate future,
arise and mingle, perforce, with our
Joy. There are four classes of men
in the rebellious States. What shall,
be done with men educated in the
Military Academy at the public ex-
pense, sworn TO protect our flag, OBJ
tanning livelihood, honor and pro-
motion undor it; children Of tho
nation, who, without qualification,
excuse, or ground even, betrayed the
country, forfeited honor, struck down
its flag; used the knowledge obtained
at the nations school to break down
the Government which nnrtured them,
the nation which honored them; and
have now ceased from the unholy
strife which has cost millions Of money
and hundreds Of thousands Of lives,
only because they have been beaten,
conquered and subdued by the valor
of the soldiers, whose comrades they
have starved in loathscme prisons
[Cheers, and cries OF Hang every
one of them," g Hang them, +" Give
them the rope" In the future, dan
ger Of our liberties can come only
from the mad ambition Of those in
the army who may conspire against
the life of the nation. Shall We not
by example teach every officer who
deserts his flag, that he shall suffer
the Same penolty for desertion which
the Government enforced upon many
Of our soldiers lor the same crime?
What shall be done with those
whom the people North and South
! once delighted to honor, who with
the truth of God upon then lips, but
treason i'll their souls, put in yonder
capitol in the seats of the law-givers,
day by day, plotted how to destroy
the country, even while in the name
Of the Constitution they claimed to
| sacrifice at the altar her most cherish
ed liberties? Shall they ever again
have power, place or vote to destroy
the country? "No, mol" Never,
never"] Shall they ever again be
allowed to have the loved, and hon
ored and glorious privilege now made
sacred by the blood of patriots shed
to save us from their acts? The
rights of American citizens? "No,
neverl" "The traitorsw Hang
themw] The next class are the sol
diers in the ranks of the rebellion,
deceived by false statements and
arguments, and prejudiced, until their
judgments were overborne, conscript-
ed and driven until their wills were
overawed into the support of the re-
bellon but who, even in a bad cause,
have. illustrated the valor of the
American race. Are we not ready to
say to them: "Father, forgive them,
they know not what they do" and to
receive them again as brothers.-
GCries of "Good," +" Good" "That's
the talls."1 Still another class are
those who ever welcomed the flag
with Joy and gladness, who never
failed TO rejoice in n Union victory,
never lost faith in the Union cause,
who always concealed, fed and cared
for Union prisoners escaping from the
cold, sickness, starvation, and death
of the Libby and Andersonyille pris-
ons-guarding them faithfully 10y the
! North star through swamps and for
ests, to liberty and life; who have
cheerfully taken up arms for the Uni
ted States and laid down their lives
the true Union men OF the South. :
IGCheers. | What shall we say TO
them? Shall we not say, I" Liberty
and equality of right under the laws
forever" Yes, yes; and cheers. j
: Good then we are agreed. Condign
punishment to military traitors who
deserted tho flag for rebellion dis.
reimbursement and safe Keeping for The
, civilian using his place TO destroy hii
country the right of fellowship fol
; the misguided and deceived victims Q
rebellion and equal rights for the
: black man.. ECries of ego on" J.
Let us also be thankful to the goot
Z, God, that while this war has cost n
5 much treasure and blood, il has Sc
: established our honor among the ma
tons of the earth, that the shedding
: of American blood upon Americal
: soil may now cease forever, and in on
Y dealings with the nations OF the cart
r we can adopt without iaar of war tn
= motto of Jackson: y" Ask nothing
y but what is right, and submit TO moth
ing wrong.Y, God bless you--an
n good-bye. Cries--l" How about Max
/ imilianr'] Maximilian--l beg you
pardon; / am not yenr Secretary 9
/" State, and have no power tY dres
: your foreign affairs. Goodrbye.-
s. Laughter and cheers ]
!; re- f~oshat ;n;ured pennsvlva,n