Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-02-22
Augusta Correspondence.
Auc,rsTA, Feb. 10Th. 1867


that of last year, but an unusually large
amount of business has cngrossed the at
tention of the committees. Special Lrsis-
lature has demanded much attention. II
ali the companies are organized and put III
to operation the ucxt year that have been
granted acts of Incorporation, Maine Will
soon vie with Massachusetts
One of the most interesting matters OF
the last week was the visit of Gen. Butler,
to the Legislature on Wednesday last,
More than one hour before the hour for
the meeting of the House. the hall was
denscy packed. Many ladies-and there
are as many as there are sentlemen-hon-
cred the occasion with their presence.
Alta quarter past four, the committee
of beth branches which had been appoint
ed to invite Gen. Butler, and escort him.
appeared accompanied by that gentleman.
Gen. Caldwellr reported that the commit
tee had attended to their duty. and that
Gen. B. was present. This was a signal
for loud and continuous applause.
If Gen. Butler did no. make the best
general for field operations-if Big Bethel,
and the James River, and Fort Fisher tell
against his military ability, his realization
Of the duties OF the hour on vcXing 1ncs-
tons, his declaring the status of the troub-
lesome negro at the first of the war by pro-
claiming him "contrabdnT' of war--his
thorough and mastery handling OF New
Orleans his nerve and boldncss upon all
emergencies have given him high posi-
ton in the minds of the loyal and progress
i've masses.
His speech was upon the power of i'm.
pcachmcn. The General showed from
the past shat Judges had been impeached
for being drunkards, for making incendiary
and bad political harrangucs.
If some men whom we should respect
should be tried for the latter. to say moth
ing Of the former, We think there is a right
smart chance for conviction.
This speech which has been published in
full i'll the Mig S.Co urier, we wish it could
be read by every loyal man in the country.
From the general stand point, we can see
many serious troubles that may possibly
result in a few Years if we fail to stand
firmly to an rnwa7ering policy. As the
closing remarks of Gen. q. will be more
likely to interest the readers of the American
than anything l can write, we append
them.
If am asked what are my requisites
for til" elective franchise. answcr-it is
ii>St. LOYALTY second. loyalty: third 10y
atty; and forever; that prefer an gmo-
ran: friend to a learned enemy. ! prefer
the friendship Of IL dog to the cnnity of
Sir Isaac Newton. Therefore. while APP.
preciaie education as high as any man, and
while agree that in State like my own
State of Massachusetts. where for So Years
the state has supported system Of schools
it may be we'll enough to have an educ,-
tional test, do not fiycr suelf Il test IN II
State where no such system, Of schools has
existed, where the most educated have been
rebel~. There, the question in reference
tn the franchise should he. not whether
the party can write but whether he mute
his mark on the right side during the war.
Such Il test as they ask for is snare
aud a dclusion. That test which my col
league from Massachusetts iavors is Il
snare, and dclusiun, and is a proposition
to give power to our enemies and take it
from or fricntis. They give it 10 our
enemies hrcaTse they Own property and
take it from our friends bcc4u=c they don't
own property. To that the people oi
this country are unsfierably opposed.
believe that the last election e-ttlcd the
question, that it was determined by the
people of this country that the loyal men
should iule the country, and that the dis
l"yal men. white or black, who tried to
ruin the country, should never have that
power again.
The people Of this country in my judy
ment demand of us, the rulers of the couu
try. that We should plant the government
upon that basis at once, and Il any body
stands in tire way he must get out oil the
WAY in the shortest possible constitutional
road. Therefore. have venturcd to dis
cuss these questions before yon Tonight,
in the view that We cannot afford AS states.
men or AS politicians, or in any view to let
this state of chronic anarcy remain at the
South, and above all as true and Just men
to allow our friends. white and black, TO
he murdered there us they have been nur-
lercd f-r months past. If we do not do
this beisnsss up the people who have sent
us here will surely send somebody else in
orr places who will do it. If it is radi-
calisn, believe it to be the highest con-
scry'tism,-the process by which the GOV
ernmtnt is a!"ne to be preserved.
In the governments Of Europe it was
said the king could do no wong. We
hope rcpudia,cd this idea but there is III
this country King that can do no wrong,
entiloned. all powerful, Omaiscient aud
onnipresent, 81 far as governmental action
il concerned. One whose behests can new.
er be disobevcd, and whose power cav Acv-
needed when he speaks and on whose
eocvcr head he falls, nc shall be ground to
powder.
/ That King, that omniscicnt, omnipo-
tent power is the popular will. guided by
popular Intelligence. That power has
spoken. The only question is whether we
| shall tear To obey lts Voice. Shall We who
conduct the government carry out that
great will in the constitutional, legal and
usually course of governmental action !!
/ BY it the conservative will be made sure.
the limid will he made certain, and every
man who doubts shall have his doubts re-
moved.
For be assured that if you do not direct