The Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1865-1870, 1868-03-06
WHAT A LOYAL FATHER DID.

Az contrasting the conduct of loyal
father toward his son with that Of Phil
lip Francis Thomas of Maryland toward
his boy when the latter was about start
ing to join the rebel army, Senator
Edmunds of Vermont, in the debate
upon the question of admitting Thomas
to seat in the Senate read, as follows,
from the testimony in the case of Mr..
R. R. Butler of Tennessee, which case
was considered before the Committee on
the Conduct of the War. Replying to
some remarks made by too forgiving
Senators excusatory of
Thomas conduct, Mr.. Edmunds said
Now, I wish to call the attention of the
gentlemen who are of that way of thinking
to what is fine description of traitor. We
have found out that this man by this course
of conduct was demonstrating his fidelity to
the Constitution, and was doing no act which
gave any encouragement or aid or assistance
Of any kind to this young man or to any
other man who was engaged in hostility
against the country. This man as clearly
demonstrated by our friends, is loyal! Now
listen to a sworn description of what is,
disloyal and traitorous man :
1" Orchard II. Butler, of lawful age who, being
duly sworn according to law, deposes as follows:
Question. Please state if you are the son of
R. r. Butler, member-elect to Congress, and if
you were connected with the rebel army; if so,
state how you became connected, and how long
you remained with said army, aud how you came
to leave the said army,
Answer. 1 am the son of R. r. Butler
to Congress. In the spring of 1865
there was rebel company stationed near the
residence of my father, in johnson county
This was in Tennessee.
Mr.. Williams. What are you reading
from?
Mr.. Edmunds. Twill tell you presently.
g The officers of said company persuaded me to
20 off with laid rebel company. and in their per-
,uation with me to join the rebel army they said
hey would furnish horse and necessary
equipments, except saddle and bride. ] consent
ID to go with said rebel company unbeknown TO
ny father, who was bitterly opposed to the rebels
n every manner conceivable. And further when
aid rebel company was ordered away from this
county, my father had gone to Taylors
lille, and had carried my saddle ay and con-
ealed 1t, and as the company passed my fathers
rouse went off with said company. The officers
With them, that if nv father follow ed them they
would protect me and not let him take me away
rom them After we started away my father,
rearing of the company taking with them,
ollowed the company Of rebels that with
nd overlook them about six miles from home and
ook me out of the company and made me carry
ny saddle and bride on my back the whole Of the
distance back home, and whipped me several times
N the road home and after got home he whip
'ed me so severely that my mother had to inter
EIDE for me. My father stated that he had rather
zee me with my throat cut from car to ear than
or me to have gone into the rebel army"
This is from the evidence in the case of Mr..
Butler. There is a traitor for you: Thomas
8 patriot. They are not at all alike, you
an see from the testimony and l infer from |
he argument of my friend from Oregon, and
~ friend from Illinois, and my friend from |
Sew Jersey, that the world has gone upside
own in some way or other, and that this Mr..
'utler, of Tennessee, is a tremendous traitor
,r his conduct toward his son who was join
lg the rebels, and that Mr.. Thomasis clear
the person mentioned in the Constitution
nd in this law as the man who has given no
id or encouragement to the rebellion. l
link even the Senators themselves will be
Bile to see that there is, to say the least Of
, slight distinction between the conduct
those two gentlemen.
1t is gratifying to know that this ap-
cal and others of like force and pur-
ort had the desired effect, and that
homas was refused admittance to n
.at in the Senate door. The verdict of
'yalty is-Ssrved him right.