The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-02-09
THE UNION &c JOURNXL,
GEN. BUTLER ON GEN. LEE.

In his address before the Soldiers and Sail
ors' Convention, at Washington on Tuesday
evening Gen. Butler said
There was once soldier Of tho country,
bearing ono OF its prondest nance, intcrmarry-
ing into family which the country delighted
to honour, who had received from country,
grateful for the deeds OF its ancestors, the high.
est education which il could afford to give ;
who had been tho pettcd soldier of the country
beloved by it, COMMANDMENT chef-almost the
staff ol his old age. When disorder and civil
colpinotIuns and rcbcllions broke out the old
Chief leaned upon the young soldier ~ upon
his statI-ma,le him the confident OF his secrets
and the depository Of his plans. But suddenly
that soldier departed from the ranks OF his
country's service. and within two days Of the
time when his resignation was accepted was
found fighting in the ranks Of tho enemy, and
in higher command.
During n long and bloody war he saw his
former lclow-otfccrs and soldiers starved in
prison under his very eyo-saw that from very
desperation they burrowed out through the
gronnd-and never raised voice in their be.
halt, although his word was omnipotent, and
although the enemy depended wholly upon his
sword. lie saw the officers and soldiers Of the
country that reared and honorcd him murder.
ed BY thousands in the prisons, and never said
word in their behalf. At last, after every
means OF resistance had failed; after having
carried on war which no knew to be hope.
les, and after having fought his army until he
diminished il to 700 muskots, he surrendered
at last, alter writing note to the commander
% the opposite army, stating "irankly" nc did
not consider the tune of surrender had come.
That man Is now teacher OF the youth OF the
country, to tell them their duty to their flag,
their country, and their God. II this is to be
so, fellow.solders, have we not shed our blood
in vain. and are not our lost comrades simply
murdered, uselessly murdered, without hope in
this world, and only with hope in the resurrec
ton.
And yet there has not been strength enough
in this government 30 far-a government that
could put million men in the field ut once,
an1 that did in the last campaign put into the
field one million six hundred thousand men
to bring that man to trial and ascertain whe'
Their or not treason is crime and ought to be
punished.
have not yet spoken of another and great.
emo, another aud diff,rent-criminal. am
now speaking of man who think can be tri.
ed by a military commission, and to which all
the people will say amen. | put 1t to you iel-
low.soldiers, rs military men whether DESERVING
the llig OF our nation and taking service two
days aftcrward in the ranks Of the enemy is not
a military crime. for which a man is amenable
to military tribunal? think there can he
no doubt upon that question. would like to
SEQ him tried for that military offence. do
not think that any subsequent parole, got out
Of too much crcdulity that tho time had not
come to surrender the Northern army OF Vir.
GINA, would be q good plea. desire to zee
that man tried 80 that it may bo understood
hereafter that it is death upon the gallows for
any man to desert his hag and take service
with the enemies OF his country. Great ap-
plauso