The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-06-07
WASHINGTON.


CELEBRATION OF THE REGENT REPUBLICAN, VICTORY
LETTER FROM GENERAL BUTLBR--wHAT THE
PRESIDENT is ABOUT TO DO IN THE WAY OF
RECONSTRUCTION, ETC.
A grand Republican mass meeting, to cele-
brate the radical victory in the municipal
election, was held in front Of the City Hall
last evening. Over three thousand persons
were present, and the square was ablaze with
torches and transparencies, while several bands
enlivened the occasion with music. Mr.. John
I. Cook, prominent colOred man, was elected
Chairman, and in the selection of Vice-Presi-
dents and Secretaries no distinction was made
as to color.
SPEECH OF GENERAL NYE.
Senator Nye, of Nevada, was the first speaker,
and congratulated those present upon the grand
triumph OF the party in the election. This, he
SAID, ls an age OF progre ss-an age of wonders.
In few short years the chains of the slaves
have been stricken off, and they are now
The nation had been trifed with, had been dis
organized, and it was now the duty of the Re-
publicans to reorganize the disaffected section
upon basis of true repubicanism. Sheridan
Is sdong It, Congress Is doing 1t. the true friends
Of the party are doing 1t, and those who will
not loln In the work are not wanted.
LETTER FROM GENERAL BUTLER.
The following letter from General Benjamin
+. Butler was read:-
man of the radical Republican Committee of
the city of Washing ngton-Sir:-Whtle acknow-
Lodging the receipt of your courteous invitation
citizens of this district, and to celebrate the
glorious victory achieved on Monday last, am
grieyed TO be Obliged to say that engagements
of the most pressing character prevent my
availing myself of the intended honor. l trust,
though absent, l may be permitted to mlngle
my congratulations with yours in the trium-
phant success In q political conflict which has
more than party Significance. To the people
been given first to demonstrates that
lately enfranchised citizens OF the repub-
lie have IN the exercise OF their newly
selves fully capable of its execution with quiet
determination, undisturbed by threats, not de-
ceived by frauds not swerved by cajoling, not
influenced by fiattery: the colored man, guided
by intelligence, has used the ballot in peace as
he did the musket in WARRIOR the best good of
the country. Your election has fully justified
the action of Congress IN giving the control of
the Capitol OF the country to all without dis
elimination. 1t is an earnest of what we may
expect from the votes OF the colored citizens
tnr,,,, ,,,,"hout the entire South upon the great
of establishing their liberty under the
law II the colored citizens everywherS
limit ate your exampe-as who now doubts they
will?-then, in spite of the Vaccinations of the
enemies of their lace, is their future and that
of the South secured. When say enemies,
speak advisetly because while the term might
seem unjust to those who held the negro in
slavery when permitted by the Constitution
and laws, now when by the same Constitution
throws the slightest obstacle In the path of his
full enjoyment of that great boon becomes at
Specially is your action timely and important
at the present moment, because even nov the
operation Of the benefcent acts of Congress
for the reconstruction of the South, by deolar-
es abiished by himself without warrant Of
law, in usurpatton of EXECUTIVE power, are
the supreme law Of the land, and yesting in
tration in the insurgent States. Already has an
authoritative opinion of his law officer been
promulgated, which restores to political power
almost all those engaged in the Rebellion
whom Congress deemed 1t necessary for the
safety of the Republic to disfranchise for their
attempted overthrow of the Government. thus
evading the law, and thwarting and overTuling
the wise orders of the Generals in command
regulating the registration of loyal men only
as voters. In few days, unless checked by
| the near approach OF the meeting of Congress- an
| Executive order will be promulgated proclaim
ing that the Military Reconstruction act does not
| give to the commanding officer OF the district
| any right or power to Interfere with the civil
| Governors of those States II that be so 1t fol-
| lows that the removal OF that red-handed Mayor
Monroe, of New Orleans, by Sheridan, the sup
preston of the riot fostering city OF Mobile bV
Pope, and the wise and much needed legislative
| orders OF Sickles, reducing South Carolina to
live under government of law, are all illegal
and void. 1t must follow as logical sequence
! now that the fear of immediate Impeachment
| seems to be removed, that the gallant Sheridan
will be superseded to give place to some officer
| supposed to be more plant to the will of the
Administration; and TO what end? That the pre-
sent organization OF the governments of those
| States may remain intact, to perpetuate
landed aristocracy fatal to the advance o
liberty and equal rights. Is it not a seltevlden
political truth, where the land is held in large
| tracts by the employer, and to be titled by the
| employed, there can be no just and true field
| for the exercise OF republican citizenship? Anc
1t Is one OF the pressing extgenctes OF the coun-
| try, as the very basis OF reconstruction, tina
! some plan must be devised by which the landi
| of the South may be divided among those who
| shall occupy and till them. With regrets at no
! being able TO be with you, have the honor u
! be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
! BENJAMIN L. BUTLER.
Speeches were afterwards delivered by Mr.
William A. Cook and Mr.. John r. Elvas, O
Washington, and several others. The meeting
adjourned at late hour amid general enthu
| aiaam