The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-16
THE POLICY OF VENGEANCE.
RecOnstrucLIOn Amnesty and Suflrage-ThC
tsreeIey-Butler Dispute.

GsreeIey-Butler Dispute.
General Butler has long letter in the Tribune to-
day, replying to Mr. Greeley's letter of some days
SINCE from which we take the following. 1t makes
very good reading indeed
II were not too old to be surprised at anything,
should have read with surprise, from under your
pen, this part OF a sentence mississippi and
Texas held as satrapies for an indefinite period
less they vote they are bidden." have not seen
the word satrapes" or the charge vote as they are
World or the lucubrations OF Brick Pomeroy. Have
these these phrases, so ncupatory OF the action Of
the Republican party, and heretofore used by the
supporters OF Jefferson Davis alone, now become
the pet expressions of the thoughts OF his surety?
Do not, my dear Greeley, mistake the difference
between us. You ask me to ''place myself promptly
and heartily at the head OF movement looking to
the instant and complete removal OF all political dis
abilities whatever IRON any ana every one who
fayors or shall favor, the fifteenth amendment and
their prompt restoration TO all the privileges OF citi
zenship," without any attempt 'to pry into the mo-
tive OF those who may favor IT, to ascertain whether
they were Rebels, and il so, whether they have re-
pented of having been such y and that for the pur-
pose OF obtaining votes for my party in the Northern
States. That position is plain one, and easily
derstood; and the difference between that and my
own is quite distinct, and think will De appreciated
by all true men.
I do not propose TO restore to the privileges OF
citizenship and give political power to every traitor
and Rebel who fayors the fifteenth amendment IL
am convinced that he favors 1t simply for the pur-
pose OF getting such restoration, and Intends as
soon as he obtains 1t and gets where he feels himself
beyond the reach of Congress, TO turn around and
abrogate the fifteenth amendment, as was done in
the OF Georgia with the fourteenth and oppress
whom am bound in honor and by every sacred tic
to protect and sustain for their loyalty In the
II any citizen who has been Rebel will favor the
| fifteenth amendment and will enforce 1t from the
heart, because he believes 1t right and just mea-
sure OF constitutional law am for him because OF
that motive and because see in his action safety
to those who need it, and good to the country And
| II he win not do so, am for keeping him ont OF
power, however much he may profess to favor the
amendment.
| one or the other of these views OF ours my dear
Mr. Greeley, so different as they are, must be wrong
They cannot both be right Fortunately, am not
left without some knowledge OF the Judgment OF my
countrymen upon this subject having, they well
! must repel the compliment you pay me that am
the leader OF those who entertain them, as aspire
/ only TO a much humber place. ! submitted myself
TO the sufirages Of my citzens, and although
there was some impcdiment TO my receiving all the
votes OF my party friends because disagreed with
some of them on questions OF finance, and although
had the misfortune not TO be sustained by you, my
| dear sir and the Tribune, and although had very
| able opponent running against me in my own party,
yeti speak IL in no bOastful spirit because IL was
the loyal voice that spoke out-l was sustained by
larger relative vote than was ever given TO Repub
lican candidate in my district
| On the other hand, in this very autumn, you were
| given the unanimous nomination of Republican
convention, with no opposition candidate in your
own party running against you, as had, supported
| by the Tribune, with Its mighty influence when sus
tanning good cause, aided by the prestige OF mos
popular General OF the war your fellowctizen in
the race; IN candidature for OF the new oiicei
| for which it Is admitted by all men you are qualified
supported by paper In your city OF very large cir
cuiatoD, which IL the most bitter opponent OF Gene