The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-10-05
The Soldiers Contention.

tional amendment is wise, prudent. and
just. 1t clearly defines American citizen
ship and guarantees all his rights to every
citizen. 1t places on just and equal
basis the right of representation, making
the vote Of a man in one state equally
potent with the vote of another man in
any state. 1t righteously excludes from
places of honor and trust the chief con-
spirators and guiltiest rebels, whose per-
ured crimes have drenched the land in
fraternal blood. 1t puts into the yer!
frame of our government the invlolablilty
Of the national debt, and the nulllty for
ever of all obligations contracted in sup
port of the rebellion. (Applause.)
Resolued, That it is unfortunate for the
country that these propositions have not
been received in the spirit Of Cancellation,
clemency and fraternal feeling in which
they were offered, as they are the mildest
terms ever granted to the subdued. Gap
plause.)
Resotred, That the president as an ex-
ecutive officer has no right to a policy as
against the legislative department of the
government; that his attempt to tasten
his scheme of reconstruction upon the
country is as dangerous as it is unwise {;
that his acts in sustaining it have retarded
the restoration of peace and unity they
have converted conquered rebels, into i'm
pudent claimants to rights which they
have forfeited and places which they have
desecrated, and, if consummated, it would
render the sacrifices of the nation useless,
the loss of the lives of our buried comrades
vain, and the war in which we have 50
gloriously triumphed what his present
friends at Chicago, in 1864, declared it to
be-a failure (Applause.)
Resolred, That the right of the conquer
Or to legislate for the conquered has been
recognized by the public law of all civil
lied nations by the operation of that law
for the conservation Of the good of the
whole country, congress has the undoubt-
ed right to establish measures for the con-
duct Of the revolted states. and to pass all
acts of legislation that are necessary for the
complete restoration of the Union.
Res0hed, That when the president
claims that by the aid of the army and
navy he might have made himself dictator,
he insulted every soldier and sailor in the
republic. He ought distinctly to under
stand that the tried patriots of his nation
can never be used to overthrow civil Iiber-
ty or popular government. (Applause.)
Resohed, That the neutrality laws
should be so amended as to give the fullest
liberty to the citizens consistent with the
national faith: that the great Union re-
publican party is pledged to sustain liber-
ty and equality Of rights everywhere and
therefore we tender TO all people strug-
Cling for freedom our sympathy and cor
dial cooperation. (Applause.)
ReSoired, That the Union men of the
South without distinction of race or color.
are entitled to the gratitude Of every loyal
soldier and sailor who served his country
in suppressing the rebellion. and that in
their present dark hours of trial when
they are being prosecuted by thousands,
solely because they are now and have been
true to thu government, we will not prove
recreant to our obligations, but will stand
by and protect with our lives. if neceS-
sarv, those brave men who remained true
to us when all around are false and faith
less. (Applause.)
ReSol,ad, That i'll reorganizing the
army, justice to the volunteer officers and
soldiers demands that faithful efficient ser
vice in the field ought ever to have place
in the army and navy Of the Union.
(Applause.)
There is nothing in the resolutions that
can offend the most tender footed Indiana
politician and on motion of General
Cochrane they were adopted by acclama-
ton. General Butler then presented an
other resolution providing for National
Soldiers Union, to be organized by three
delegates from each state, which wa.
adopted. General Butler then addressed
the convention at length, reviewing the
history and position of public affairs. lie
took the ground that if during the rebel,
lion the Southern states were not out OF
the Union, all the Union was out of them.
Their representatives in arms surrendered
and with them all the II ghts of the South
ern people were surrendered. They be-
came paroled prisoners of war, and while
government preserved its rights these peo-
pie forfeited theirs. When the Southern
people return humbled and repentant LET
them be received and let their leaders be
punished. Mr. Davis played his game
boldly. He staked his life on the cast
and he lost. Let his life pay the forfeit.
Robert +. Lee, who deserted his flag to
take a command in the army of the enemy
should suffer DEATH He would make ex.
amp lies of such men, so that no soldier
should hereafter desert the flag of hi:
country The leading rebels threatened
to expatriate themselves. He would say
$50. stand not on the order of your 90.
ing, but 90 at once" There was a golden
opportunity lost.
Gen. Butler denounced the Southerner:
for their insults to the graves of Union
soldiers, instances Of which he cited, and
he would not have these rebels taken back
into the Union until there were no more
such dissertations. This was received
with great applause.
The soldiers, said Gen. Butler, must let