Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-04-13
BUTLER on RECONSTRUCTION.


In the course of the grand demonstra-
lion in Washington over the surrender Of
Lee, on Monday evening, General Butler
made the following eloquent spesch on the
snbiect Of reconstruction
FELLOW CITIZENS: am profoundly
grateful, and thank you once snd again,
: hat Won have asked me to Join ysu in your
copgrstulstions upon this grest triumph of
our arms, which eonquers and subjugates
fnally A most heinous rebellion sgsinst the
American people. The surrender of Lee
and his army puts sn end TO this trsitorous
war. wsged TO overthrow the Government
Even now, while the heart turns in graft
tude to God for His good providence, while
the soul burns with glBdness at the result
which, rightly understood, renews the life
of the nation forever, new, vital and con-
trolling questions to be settled in the imme-
diste future, arise and misRle themselves
perforce with our joy. There are four
classes of men in the rebellious States.
What shall be done with them? What
shall be done with the men eju -sted 10 the
Military Academy at the public expense,
sworn TO protect our flag, obtaining liveli-
hooh, honor and promotion under II, the
children of the nation, who, without justi-
icatiop, excuse or pallistion even, betrayed
their country, forfeited their honor, struck
down their fsg, used the very knovledge
obtsined st the nation's school to break
down the government which nurtured them,
and have now ceased an unholy strife,
which has cost millions Of money and hun
dreds of thousands of lives, because they
have been beaten, conquered an subdued BY
by thevalor of cur soldiers, whose comrades
thew have starved in loathsome prisons
(C6eers, and cries of SEang every one Of
them-hang them-giYe them the'rope" }
In the future the danger TO our liberties can
come only from the mad ambition of those
/ In the army who msy conspire again against
the life of the nation. shall we not, by
example, teach every officer who deserts
his Gag that he shall suffer the same penalty
for deserving which the government and
the law have enforced upon so many
of our soldiers for the same crime
What shall be done with those whom the
people, North and South, once delighted
70 honor, who, with the oath Of God upon
their lips, but treason in their souls, sat in
wonder Capitol in the seats Of lawgivers
/ dsv by day and plotted how 70 destroy
their country, even while, in the name OF
the constitution, they claim to sacrifice at
the altar of her most cherished liberties
Shall they ever again have the power or
place or vote to destroy their country
| ICries of -No-no-Rever-never
Shall thew ever again be allowed to have
the loved and honOred and glorious privil-
eye, now made sacred by the blood of hero
patriots dead, to save them from acts o.
such men-that of American citizens
] (Cries of aNo-never-tTaitOrs-
them.") The next class, thesoldiers IN the
ranks IF the rebellion, misled, deceived by
false ststements and arguments and prejU
dices, until their judgments were over come
conscripted and driven, uLtl their will
were overcome into, the support OF OF the
rebellion, but who, even in bsd cause
have illustrated the vslor Of the American
race, are we not ready to say to them, 'Fa
ther forgive them, they know not wha
they de ? and to IeceiYe them again q
brothers of US and with .us2 (CTies 0
HFhats it-good-good-that the talk"
Still another class, those of the South wht
have never failed TO rejoice in Unior
victory, who have never lost fsitt
in the Union cause, who always hsv'
concealed, fed and cared for the UnioI
prisoners escaping from the cold, sickness
| starvation and death of Libby and Ander
sonville, guiding them faithfully by th'
north star through the swamp and forest T.
| liberty and life, who have joyfully takel
up arms with us and laid down their live
in our cause, who were first TO enter Rich
mond-the true Union men of he South
(cheersl what shall we say to them
Shall we not say, "Liberty and equslst
under the laws foreverW (CrIes Of ''Yes,
and cheers) Then we are sgreed. Con
dign punishment to the military traito
who deserts his hsg for rebellion, disfran
chisement and safe keeping for the civillsl
using his perjured place TO betray hi
country, the right hand of fellowship 70
lhe misguided and deceived victims of th
rebellion, and equal rights for the blsc
man under the law. (Ories of "Go on"
Let US also be thankful to the good Go
that while this war has cost so much trea
sure and blood, it has so established on
power among the nations of the esrth ths
the shedding Of American blood upOl
American soil may now cease forever, an
in our dealings with the nations of te
earth we can adopt without fear Of war tb
mstto of jackson, Ask nothing but whs
is right, and submit to nothing wrong,
tCries of good, good. And now, goo
bye. (Cries, & How about MaXimillisnP p
} beg your pardon. l am not your Secrt
tarV of State, and have no power to direC
your foreign affairs. Good bye. (Lsugt
ter and cheers.
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