New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-11-24
THE POLITICSOFGEN BUTLER.

Boston, Nov. 23.-An address was delivered
this evening by Gen. Butler before the Boston Lceum.
1t will prove of interest principally application
Of his expressions given in the lcter from Lowell pub
ushed In THE TRIBUNE of the 10th inst. He said:
All the distinctions of party doctrines and party
watchwords have been ahrogated. the single dog
ma, still adhered 10 by the Democratic party, as TO
the rights of the States corporations in contrads
tnct0n to the rights Of the Federal Union National
Government Tho Republican party in its inception
held In fact hut one cardinal principle in commons Its
members divided upon every other. Its highest claim
demand for the extinction OF Slavery by tire
gradual circunscrpuon of its limits Its record Is oil
the past alone. Its mission, at home, has ended save
"a garner the gleannGs of the harvest Of It's great
past The intelligent OF the Democratic party
accept the amendments of the Constitution rs hhay,
and propose no longer 10 struggle against what is
political fate; so that to the leasing minds OF TIE
Democracy al former party IDEAS have vanished save
earping criticisms upon the Republican administration
of government which may be the basis of an opposition
but not the foundation upon which "a great party can
sustain itself and govern a country.
TIE DEMOCRATs.
When the call in 1861 ranged patriotic men OF
ALI shades OF political opinion the sido Of the Govern
ment and by The force OF that circumstance they
were thrown into the ranks Of the Republican party
because they that the time had wien Slavery
was no loror compatible with free institutions as they
existed uGcs the Union and Constitution, many
who had acted all ,her hives with the Democratic party
became idtp led republicans, bringing into that
party III their Democratic Doctrines and OPINIONS except
those upon Freedom and slavery This class OF Repub
Leans, or War Democrats. formed no inconsideraDle
portion Of tie Republican party and aided not little In
the ultimate trumphs Of the country In the struggle Tor
It's life. SO It happens that the Republican party Is
scarcely O Homogeneous Its members to-day hoid
but a single thought il common-they may ana do diner
upon all else That is the determination that the Gov
ernment of the country ought not, must not, and shall
not pass into the hands those who sought to divide
and destroy it, who passvey willing 1t should
be divided. This determination of al true men,
shown in every canvass, expressed by every ballot
has enabled the Republican party after ten consecutive
years OF administrator after three times eectng us
President nOtws Idng the apostasy or one, In spite
Of the many corruptons that necessarily creep into
party so long holding power, to do, as 1t is now doing
what other Administration has been able to do since
Jacxson-eect to the first House of Representatives,
chosen after tho Inauguration of its President majority
of nearly two-thirds. This vital though-Fldehty 10
Freedom Law, and Countryis the shbboeth that every
true man must utter who expects political prefermen at
the hands Of the people Upon all other questions the
widest latitude of opinion is permitted in the Republic
party Upon the tariff some are for Protection per
Sc aud some Free-TraGers. Like differences upon
tariff policy disturb the peace Of the Democracy The
of the Northwest believes there ought to be Pro
lection for his WOOL Tie Kentuckian asks it for bis
hemp. and the LOuisianian for his sugar.
FINANCIAL VIEWS.
Upon me- lsures OF finance and the character Of our
currency similar differences divide the aaherents of
each party Many Republicans believe that the present
currency furnished by the national banks ia the best
that the world saw and that the prosperity If not
safety of the country is bound in the sustenance
of those institutions and the money they ISSUE some
also believe that the wealth loaned The Government dur
ing the should never be made subject to taxation Tor
anypurpose whatever and should paid in gold full
face irrespective OF the of law which created
the debt. Others equally certain that paper money
issued by corporations for their gain and profit is
dearest and worst currency with which nation can
be cursed Some believe that the burdens of taxation
upon invested capital should he equal, whether the in
is commerce, in manufactures in agricul-
turc in national securities Some OF these last also
believe that the notes of the nation issued without cost
interest is better currency the note of any cor
poaon issued for profit to the corpOrators can be- And
they further believe that is right of the Government
It deemed polite pay its debts in exact accordance
with the provisions of the laws creating it, And the!
knO. If any preference T. to be given to class of tn
Government creditors by provisions for payment in coiI
1t should be to th debts Of high honor due to the so
diers and 10 The mothers, widows and orphans in thci
pensions An attempt was made two years ago 10 rea
out OF the Republican party those who held such belief
irrespective OF their record OF services to the country
thor fidelity upon those other great and vital question
OF freedom aud loyalty to tie Government, which wei
the very essence of its existence That attempt, how
ever, was soon found 10 be utterly futile ~ the West
suited in 40 miserable a failure so disastrous to tho
who undertook H. that the experiment VIII hardly D'
repeated
The division in sentiment in both parties upon finance
is st curiousy shown ia what may be pr perl!
dcnOminated the only Administration OF finance
that u.s. the taxation Of the people for the immediate pay
Of the public debt. In his last annual report, thu
Secretary OF the Treasury speaking the OF TIL
Administration fully recommended Congress to sustain
the then rate Of taxation in order 10 speedy payment
of tie public debt. The Administration seemed % In
trench iscl as IN Its N ms It's great hnahct
measure, yet we Republican Congress not without
division in the Republican party. aided largely by Demo
Of the people than s60OD0OO0 az single session
thus dcpnying the Treasury in very large degree
recommendations. Perhaps upon measure there
greater departure rom the recommendation OF the
Administration by Congress than upon this.
But a Republican Congress doultcG-aHd l am one of
those who think thar they might well he permitted TO
of the country ID Oider 10 cancel me hdoAti
within the life time Of the present generation. what,
posed 10 take by taxation from the people hundred
and fifty 10 two hundred millions Of Co. aIs each year
with which 20 essen rs IL was ph@s q, to pay tie
natiOnal debt. A majority oi the II party, and
portion Of the Democratic parry! not think TINS
seem more than eighty millions, ANIL coming ses-
sion of Congress, it is safe TO predict VIII reduced IN
sundered from their brethren UpOn q . &C. measures.
Indeed, with few exceptions, upon Of finance
line running Forth and south along Ia, ndc bono OF the
Aeghane.. Those the casteriy epdr, Where capital
those the westerly side, the debtor portion OF the ma
ton, believe that capital shOnd bear equal II moi d
greater, share OF the public burdens
THE TARIFF.
Upon another set Of great public measures Stll more
curious division and exchange OF party de takes place.
Heretofore has the boast Oi til Democratic party
that they desired 10 extend the boundaries Il the
try or. in the catchwOrd Of the day the OF fIee
dOm," by acquisition of territory. Now a IepuD-
lcGn Administration with Wise lIesceu OF the interest
Of 1or aff - "A