New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-16
LETTER FROM GEN, BUTLER.

HIS REASONS FOR DECLlNlNG III sEhNb YIN luz
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SOUTHERN OUT
RACES.
WASHINGTON, March 15.-Gen. Butler has
addressed the following letter the Republican members
OF the House Representatives, giving his reasons Tor
decng to serve on the Special Committee TO investigate
the Ku-Klux outrages:
To The Republicans Of the House Of Representatives;
Having been appointed against my wishes, expressed
both publicly and privately, y the Speaker as chairman
OF committee to lnyestigae the state OF AFFAIRS IN te
most earnest protest more than twothTds majority
OF Republicans Of the House. and certainly against
the almost unanimous wish of the Republicans Of the
states whom most specially concerns, my eefrespect
and Difference your good opinion requires me to ex
shall not serve ON that committee being convinced, as
first: because Committee was forced upon the Re
publicans by the nearly unanimous vote OF the Demo
party in the House aided by some 20 or 80 Repub
leans only, against the decision OF majority of that
party IN duly called caucus Oh inc melnoers OF inc
second. Because this Committee was raised by COM
bnatiau of the high tariff Republicans with the Democ,
Iacy one class wiling to permit the sl3Sgh s, ana
determination OF their political friends In the South II
the tariff could be saved even Tor nine lonths ny an
early adjournment Of Congress, and the Democracy
actng with them in pursuance Of deliberate plan care
fully concerted, IA my beef, TO murder ana outrage
enough Union men Of the South to overcome, by lear
at the next Presidential election; they well knowing
that this Committee do them no harm, and that IL
will furnish for the tariff Republican TO vote
! To- Iroiect Union men in lie Rebel States.
royyerless for any good purpose Sitting the vacation
! Il can have under parliamentary law power TO compel
TO COME from one when he docs come as the
only method by Viii witness can be BROUGHT before
/ u Congressional Committee and made TO answer
when unwilling is, the House being in session, by rs
during the session only, that any unwilling witness
! witness Willingly coming before me Committee 10
testify to ANYTHING against Their huhlnX htlghoos'
would be killed on their way home from the COMMITTEE
ROOM DO not therefore propose 20 mage NY SCI a,i
sory before the fact 10 The murder OF every faithful
Union man Of tho South who shall be brought before the
Committee ana give 1iui evidence OF tne S'ate Vi ouV
| rage aud wrong which know u exist there.
ttee would furnish the best electionecring document
that could be placed in the hands of the Democracy IN
the coming contest in this that Che report OF the Com
mitee would he wholly mgatory ilusory and useless
10 show the exact state OF things at TIE south Mhen,
ever and wherever the Committee would go there wond
sunshine and peace and we should he compelled 80 70
oSier robbery and arson would abroad at night,
20 be dsbanded by the rising sun Eesldes nave nor
tie slightest doubt that while serving on your Cointtee
in Southern states should be treated Win the
That would he IN the fartheSt degree p9ca; anu W.
orn men understand politics. fully believe that can go
Tr,gte1red and fortior when the head Of Congress
siona Committee Investigation, without personal
can in the canvass that ii was necessary to maintain
t Republican party power 10 have peace at the south
gisered on every Democratic hustings "iou are not
to I've believed when YOU say tat the laws oanOC ne cH
duger there when yOn that Gen Butler, the man
WHO hlnred Of their Rebel brethren, the man who
| lrou0ht NeWOrleaus into gubectiOn the man who Is
nor hated and vfed in the South than any other can
go through il untouched and unframed" have no In
to,ion Of aiding the Democratic cause and breaking
The Republican party ny furnishing in my own person
! any such argument with no cOuntervailng good.
Jlfth: Because with these views OF the efficiency and
powers Of tie Committee nay services would pe useless
and not accustomed TO undertake 10 DO that whlch
feel that have power success iuy TO accomplish,
and il il parliamentary practice which has lately been
r.rg led in signal instance ia the Senate, the chair
man of committee should be IN harmony with me ma
oy who constitute H. Snd t6ero Is hS parv largely
composed OF Secessionists Old Whgs anu
ns the majority that constituted this commit
g;r6 because this Committee was brought into being
by legislative trckand rot Gredltane one AZ tha "
~ Which the wishes Of the Republican majority OF me
House have been thwarted by Republican minority ny
TIC aid OF DemGcTf 70 SS SiSor wt myse
eeca0se the very resolution which authorized
tle Committee was frarned-and, in my belief, pur
poselyin the interests of the Democratic party, that
srrb Committee cannot report under tie rules ot inc
,ise in the face Of tine Democratic opposition and by
their permission in than year from TINS tme, tbe
usual power not Seing IAseLtoa ~ II 20 act' az
under Al rules the House, he called IN it's turn until
! after all the standing committees have been called
vnicb In the last House Of Representatives took more
than year. So that without the leave OF tne Inu ,
Gratis such Committee could not even make report anu
have IL printed until after the end OF the next Pres
| dental canvass -, ,., t. -
Eighth Because the passage OF the resolution is
seemn dscourtesy the other branch OF the ieflsla
turc the Senate having taken up an lhvesuS%sd1n
through its own committee having preceedeu 70 Tcy
considerable extent in II and made report III Pate
which certainly to eyssy % acton
The House is made 10 say to the Senate - You are
! nj
! We will axe il out Of your hands" have no rear
! mat YOU my Republican friends will think Tor mo
rsUt that anv consideration looking 70 the labor ana
facue of such an undertaking in the heat OF summer
and the hight OF the yellow fever season IN the southern
Stee or the fact that should he drawn from my home
10 cary on the Investigation during those months aer
Iahorous and arduOus service here Tor more tan Io
! months would deter If 1 believed any goo cOuia
arise to the country from the labor or the expense
have spent than one Summer under sou hera sky
10 give what aid could in preserving the me OF the
corntrv and II any good could come OF 10 would DC
0nite willing spend another, although when there be-
lore was master of the Rebellion within my reach and
tbe scarcely less deadly and ven )mous yellow fever
am compelled take this mode 10 address you IN de-
clinnp To serve the announcement OF the Conn
nitee was not made By the Speaker until after the vote
of adjournment had been taken and Immediately there
unon his hammer fell by which he adjourned the House
So as 10 preclude the possibility OF resgnng the place
thus Attempted to be forced upon at the time be
ieve can demonstrate even ii majority OF parla-
menary body can force Massachusetts, man OF Com
ttee at pleasure that IL is quite another thing for tho
sneaker 10 another Committee against his CON
sent have the honor to be- very truly your friend ana
| servant BENJAMIN +. BUTLER.
| ARTILLERY SCHOOL AT FORTRESS MONROE