American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-02-01
call for; your answer at any time or place
you may designate.
(Signed) b. F. BUrLER.
Major General

to say an effert was made by the gouern-
ment to control the city of New York
during the autune election. The gov
ernment sent there geld robber in the
person of a Major General of the United
States. Robber as he was, of the public
treasure, and a Major General, he dare
not exercise control over the actions of
those whom the gentlemen from Psnna.
Mr.. Schofeld, had called thieves and rob
! bels
A question of order, was raised on the
introducing of the letter.
Mr.. Brooks quoted from the Constitu-
tion that for any speech in either House,
no member should be questioned else
where.
The speaker decided that Mr.. Brooks
would be justified in refusing to answer
the letter
Mr.. Brooks said he objected the whole
letter. 1t was brought to him by Gen.
Buffers Adjutant, in full uniform, iu-
stead of being sent through the postoilice
lie did not like military gentlemen COM
ing into his house and calling for an i'm
mediate answer lie expressed to this
Aid-de-Camp that he could not give an
immediate answer, but would take his
own time; the remarks being made on
the floor of the House, General Butler
had no right to call him in question He
contended that the language OF Buffers
letter was that of duelist
The point of order being pressed, the
Speaker decided the letter not an in
fringement Of privilege The meaning
Of the language of the letter was open to
doubt, and was not therefore question OF
privilege.
The rules were suspended to allow Mr..
Brooks to explain the ground for calling
Butler gold robber He referred to a
transaction in the Surrogate's Court OF
New York, where General Butler was SUI
ed by Samuel Smith, of New Orleans,
for $50, 900 in gold which was seized by
General Butler, in April, 1852, and now
alleged to be in his possession, it never
having been paid into the Treasury of the
United States.
A spirited colloquy then ensued, in
which several gentleman took part.
Mr.. Leon asserted that the money was
paid to the War Department, which Mr.
Brooks denied.
Mr.. Gooch suggested that Mr. Brooks
should have investigated in the facts il
the case before making charges.
Mr. Powell, at herequest or Mr. Wade
withdrew his resolution to allow the lat
ter to call up the special order, which
was the resolution in relation to retalia
tion upon rebels for the cruel treatment o
Northern prisoners.
ReSoiged, That retaliation is harsh al
ways, even in the simplest cases, and il
permissible only when in the first place i
may reasonably be expected to effect it
object, and when in the second place it il
consistent with the usages OF civilized so
ciety, and that in the absence of thes
essential conditions it is useless and bar
barous, having no other end than ven
geance, which is forbidden alike the ma
tions and to men.
ResolDed, That the treatment of our of
ficers and soldiers in rebel prisons is cru
ell, savage and heart rending beyond al
precedent, that it is shocking to morals
that it is an offense against human natur,
itself it adds new guilt to great crime
rebellion, and constitutes an example iron
which history will turn with sorrow ant
disgust.
Resotyed, That any attempt at imita
tation Of rebel barbarism in the treatmen
of prisoners would be painfully imprac
ticable on account of its inconsistenc
with the sentiments of humanity that
would be injurious at home, for it woul,
barbarze the whole community that
would be utterly useless, for it could no
affect the cruel authorers of the reyoltin
conduct which we seek to overcome tina
it would be immoral, because it proceed
ed from vengeance; that it could hav
no other result than to degrade the ma
tional character and the national name
. and to bring down upon our country tn
refutation Of history, and that being thu
impractically useless, immoral and dc
grading, it must be rejected, as the mea:
ure of retaliation precedes the barbarisI
of roasting and eating prisoners is alway
rejected by civilized powers.
Resolced, That the United States, file
with grief and the deepest sympathy fo
! cherished citizens who, as officers an
soldiers, have been the victim of outrage,
/ hereby declare their solemn, determine
tion to put an end to this great -iniquit
by putting an end to the rebellion, G
which it is the natural fruit That to ST
cure this humane and righteous consum
nation they pledge anew the best enel
gies and all the resources of the VIII /
} people, and they call upon all to bea
: witness that in the necessary warfare wit
barbarism they renounce all vengeanc
| and even evil example and plant them
selves firmly on the sacred landmark Q
christian civilization, under the proteC
ton of that God who is present with cv
cry prisoner and enables heroic souls t
suffer fof their country.
Mr. Sumner quoted from Genera
, Washington, Chancellor Kent, Genera
Halleck, Vattel, and other authorities
against inhuman retaliation, yhich h
said, never reached the guilty parties.
Mr.. Wade hoped the amendment 0
Mr.. Sumner would not be adopted Re