Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-11-26
THE PRESENT RELATIONS
OF PARTIES.

GEN. Buffers Lecture at BostOn-
The Mission Of Eae Radical Party
at Home at an ERa-The Alabama
Claims TO be Enforced by Nom
Intercourse with England.
BosToN, Nov. 23.-Gen. Butler deliT-
cred his address on the subject of the
''Present Relations Of Parties" etc., be-
fore the Boston Lyceum at Music Hall.
He took the ground that the results fow-
| ing from the late rebellion had abrogated
| party distinctions, except the Democratic
idea of State rights. The mission of the
Republican party at home was ended.
Therefore, there is no real party, as mod
ern Democracy consisted of carping criti-
cisms upon the Administration merely,
which was the basis of opposition, but
not the solid foundation of q great party.
| He recounted the wonderful success of
| the Republican party since its formation,
| and claiming The success was due to one
belief animating all, that the Government
of the Union should not pass into the
hands of those who sought TO d.
vide it. Upon all other questions,
the widest latitude of opinion
was permitted in the Republican party.
| The Republicans were divided on the
tariff. The Democracy is by no means
unit for free trade. There are noted diff
ferences also among Republicans on the
financial question, but be regarded the
administration on the subject as sound.
Congress cut off eighty millions of taxes
| last session, and would cut off an equal
amount next session. lie claimed that
| the Democracy had changed front on the
question of the acquisition of territory.
He favored annexation of San Domingo,
and gave his reasons therefor, saying that
annexation failed through Democratic
votes, though the annexation of Cuba, at
cost of uunumbered millions, had been
pet idea of the Democracy time out of
mind. The Democrats and tariff men
had united to cripple American commerce;
tariff men and free traders had united
against our buying ships, aud both had
united against our ship builders.
From this the speaker thought that par
ty lines had been well nigh effaced; that
the Republicans had adjusted the ques-
tons raised by the var so far as the in
ternal policy was concerned. Now re-
mains the great international and foreign
questions that were evolved by the late
rebellion, the reconstruction of commerce
destroyed by the war ard the adjustment
of the claims of our citizens, and the ma
toms upon those nations who took adj
vantage of our crippled condition. The
chief offender was Great Britain, and the
chief offense the Alabama business. He
recounted the acts of England, claiming
that she founded the Dominion of Canada
to cripple Us; destroyed our commerce;
prolonged our war and recognized our en-
emies. The Republican party must settle
with England for the wrongs Immediately.
| 1t would be cowardly to wait till England
| got in a war before making the demand.
| If England failed to make repaTation, his
remedy was new One-namely, nOn-in-
| tercouTse.
He showed what effect non Intercourse
would have, claiming that the taking of
our trade and products from England
would work a revolution there Prussia
and France, recovering from exhaustion,
would take all our surplus, and the loss
| of our cotton and breadstuffs to England
| would be an incalculable damage. The
reparation England ought to make would
be her naval stations at Jamaica, Nassau
| and the Bermudas, which would be fair
| equivalent. AS to Canada, he would be
willing 10 let the people settle her desti1ies
by vote.
| Butler further said the course of Great
! Britain on the fisheries question was out
rageous. She had no exclusive right 10
| the fisheries on the English coasts. The
fisheries were captured from the French
by American troops. He compared Brit
ish oppression of our fishermen with the
aid they gave the pirate Alabama. So
long as the reciprocity treaty, which was
beneficial to Canada and injurious to the
United States, existed, there was no
trouble about the fisheries. Unless areme-
| dy was found fer this Immediately, armed
collision was inevitable and desirable.
War is the only alternative.
| He spoke of the temptation to make
war against England, stating that we had
sixteen hundred thousand naturaiized
Irishmen here. 1t would unite the whole
country and bring the South under our
flag again. 1t would be war upon the
ocean, and not costly one. It would be
the conquest of Canada; and, as a Re-
publican and partisan, he would say the
war would be sustained by a majority of
the Democratic party, which would per.
petuate the rule of the Republicans in
this country more than generation. If,
therefore, when we asked for our just
rights, England should incline to offer us
war, ought not every American to appeal
to Her Majesty, "Suffer us not to fall in.
| to temptation 2"