New-York tribune., 1874-09-14
BUTLER's OPENING GUN.

BUTLERS OPENING GUN.
THE AUDIENCE NEITHER LARGE NOR ENTHUsTAs-
TIC-THE SPEECH DEVOID OF wITTICIsMs AND
PERsONALITIEs-THE SOUTHERN oUTRAGEs AND
FINANCIAL QUESTIONS Observation-Disclosures
IN FAVOR OF THE REELECTION OF THE ESSEX
STATESMAN TO CONGRESS.
GLOUCESTER, Mass Sept. 13.-The welcome which
Gen. Butler got at the hands of the fishermen and
the merchants last evening not hearty nor 30
warm as he has been accustomed to. They certainly
had no excuse of ignorance of his intentions in
coming down at this time. The posters had for a
week stared at them from every dead wall and va
cant fence announcing that they would be addressed
by their representative in Congress on Saturday
evening, and the newspapers had told them
beforehand the message he had to carry.
They were fully informed that he was to invite
their attention to the paramount Importance OF
sending an entire Republican delegation to Congress
from this State next Winter, and yet they were not
moved There was no excitement, and the hall was
not even full. Where 1900 persons can be comfort
ably seated there were 800 or 900 men and third as
many ladies. Among the former were many Demo-
Gratis and Butler Republicans, the latter, class
which was never SO largely represented in this town
as now. AS the General came in, some one on the
front seats jumped up and called for three cheers
They were given, but the first was the loudest and
thence they went down in descending scale. At
any rate, they did not cause Mr. Buffers face to
tighten at all.
Fitz j. Babson called the meeting to order. Mr..
Babson is Collector of the Port He did not say
much, only read list of officers, and introduced
Mr.. Addison Gilbert, as Chairman. Mr.. Gilbert re-
peated brief abstract of Gen. Buffers speech of
the Saturday before to his friends in which he en-
larged on the necessity to the district and the
country that Mr.. Butler should be returned. Gen.
Butler was quietly received, and began his speech,
but it was evident that his audience was not not
with him. The applause was neither hearty nor
spontaneous. The speech was without any of the
wtticisms or personalities which usually character
ize his remarks, and it fell quite dead. 1t really
looks as il the district was growing too big to be
pocketed for another two years.
SPEECH OF GEN. BUTLER.
MY FRIENDS AND NEIGHBoRs lowe you an apology be-
presenting myself before you earlier TO an
nounce again my candidaure for your surages severe
Illness ih the early Spring warned my physicians and
myself fthat must cease IN large part from my labors
certainly until my health was resOred-and was ad-
vised instantly to stop all work, Notwithstanding which
felt duy TO remain at my post as your repro
sentative until Congress had adjourned, leaving the va
cation with It's partial rest to have Its effect before
should accept .ne medical advice TO 20 abroad In
search Of rest and health now believe that the fresh
air OF the which enjoy with you has 80 far restored
me that laying aside other occupations and other am
bitions shall be able to do duty to my constituents
in the future in the past My gratitude for your past
cordial support would mpe me- If such be the desire OF
the people of the district again 10 serve you at Whatever
risk to health or loss of professional emolument.
Let us pause here a moment. The king OF q barba-
rous tribe In Africa took five Englsbmen prisoners,
who were peacefully trading In his country, marched
them to his capital and there held them as such, with
naltreatmen but when asked TO release them refused
What is the protection which England gives her cit
zensf The whole English nation was aroused, war
declared ON army was transported nall way across
Ie IN hete bS capitaI WIS assaulted and deno
treasure brought away by the English sol
ment Aud shall 1t be said that Union men-good
honest, peaceful men-pnrsuing the ordinary voeatons
of life upon American soil, protected 0y our nag ana
our Constitution aud laws, where they should be un
molested. canuot have that protection and safety and
redress their which England can give TO her
citizens even when subj eced only imprisonment amd
the wild juDges Of Afrieai Is the Red Cross OF 81 81
George powerful to protect ana save It's subjects anu
stars aud Stripes SO poweress IN our and upon our
be the most peaceful State OF the Union Let me oe
lust to the men Of the South and give lne excuse
they p@t forward IN Tern%snt Of ,be state
of Louisiana has been seized from the old wmte
set of whites and bldeks which Is corrupt
aud eating up their substance We need not STOP 70
too not because the corruption OF the government is no
Justification OF the murder of the citizen Oy armed yl0
/
authenticated be denied have been committed In the
States OF Tennessee and Kentucky, in both Of which
any power OF self-protection, but which wholly
under Democratic rule. SO that M s,or Is clear .ba
South as lawless and murderous IN the states where
Are a as 6ese wregrs sreS
done openly and continually in these states IL clearly
SeeiS Ta out s and deprive m of his political
! ngbts. Indeed read IN southern paper a hotlce
served upon that they must either be de-
pryed Of a political rights or The state shall DC
military territory. This, then, Is war; ana te men Oh
Essex as on the 18th OF April, If need be- Will again
march to save the country from traitor hands When
heard OF the alarming condition OF things In the SOUTH
and especially when heard of this most terrible wrong
crying redress said to myself MY mission in the
service OF my country is not ended The war waged 10
Whatever have of remaining health and strength must
devoted to putting this matter right Aud therefore,
ta3e myself am here asking again lor your SUI
rages that may be in position 70 carry OUT OIT ne ne
trodden American citizen, nndlsturDeu anu uno-
w6 % se BY 20 cur ms a% APG here
leave to say 10 you what you know and believe that
have done and can do, as much 10 tnat aec,on; IN IN
no other way as any man who Will present hlnseu ior
| your votes, be he whom ne may.
THE FINANCIAL ISSUES.
see by the newspapers that it is objected to me that
Am not fitted for service in Congress- because my views
ON questions OF finance not satisfactory TO my con-
stitueuts and that not in favor OF sound currency
but am In favor OF the repudiation Of the nations
plchted faith pass by the hard words and phrases
and charges which their objections framed, deem
ing Il consistent with my dignity and yours only TO
answer the gist of the matter That differ from some
OF my constituents upon questlons OF nnance IL most
true out that been In favor OF except
| sound currency, or In favor OF repudianon
| Of the public debt Is untrue; tnat nave
| ever for a moment thought OF reputation OF the
national debt OF it's payment otherwise than e1sct
In accordance with tue terms and cohdltons WIN Wc
it was contracted Is equally untrue, and no word OF
mine can be found whcn will sustain either OF the latter
assertions Indeed, my friends thongnt Una. We naa
argued that all out In famous campaign. wherein
my views upon were made the special sub
jeet OF discussion, and there was so much SAID ana 30