75 SPEECH OF WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLEE. Mr. WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER was next introduced by the Chairman. FELLOW-CITIZENS, This is a meeting for business. We are not here, on a gala day, to hear ourselves talk, hut to act in a great crisis. [Cheers.] We have heard, from the speaker who preceded me, what we have heard before, once and again, that the capital is in danger. The appeal now made to us by the Government is not a new one. We have responded to it before. If I am asked how we have responded, I point to the gallant Seventh, I point to the seventy-two regiments which have been organized and equipped in the Empire City since the outbreak of the rebellion. [Cheers.] I point to Wall-street and its banks. I point to every citizen of every class and country, from the private in the Sixty-ninth [loud cheers] to the men of largest wealth and influence, and I say that to every summons of duty New- York has given a prompt and a noble response. More than twelve months ago, around this very Square, at the same hour as on this day, we met for a like purpose. Not far from the spot where I am now speaking to you, a man stood up and spoke these words, " This rebellion must be put down. It may take seventy thousand men. What then? We have them. It may take seven hundred thousand men. What then ? We have them." These were the words of Colonel Baker. [Cheers.] He fell at Ball's Bluff, the victim, if not ot military treason, of military incompetency. He is gone we are here. The seventy thousand men are gone. Six hundred thousand men have been given, but the rebellion is not put down. The question for us to-day is, not whose fault is it. The simple question is, shall it be put down ? [Cries of " Yes !"] We are not here to criticise or to blame, but to ask ourselves what is our individual duty. What is your duty what is mine ? What will you do ? [Cries of " All we can."] What will I do ? I reply, every man of us, who can go in person, should go at once. If a man cannot go himself let him get his neighbor to go. If he can neither go himself nor send his neighbor, let him give what he can in aiding others to go. Let every man give ; the rich from their abundance, the poor from their toil. This is our part. We may have our views and our preferences, but this is not the time for them. This rebellion will never be subdued unless we respond as we ought to, to this new call to duty. Will you do it ? [" Yes !"] As for the Government, the policy it needs is summed up in the single W0rd fight. [" That's it."] I would say this to Abraham Lincoln, and to every general and every man in the field. Fight with every weapon and use every means of success. As our armies advance, every man, who is a friend, should be welcomed, whatever his condition or color. [Cheers.] If he can dig, give him a pick. If he can fight, give him a musket. Take aid wherever we can get it. I read yesterday that James Buchanan had given $100 as a contribution to the sick and wounded Pennsylvania volunteers ! Even hie money I would take. [Laughter and cheers.] It may help to smooth the pillow or stanch the wound of some brave fellow who has fallen in the effort to redress the wrongs his treachery inflicted. Let the Government pursue this plain policy, and let every man sustain it by all the means in his power, and with God's blessing on our arms we are as certain to succeed as to-day's sun is sure to set. [Loud applause.]
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