I wanted also to say a few words to the committee that took this unwarranted liberty. I should like to express my opinion of their action, but it might not, here and now, be exactly the right thing to do. A few years ago Judge Hugh L. Bond, of Maryland, told me that shortly after the war he went to North Carolina with a party of Boston gentlemen who contemplated the establishment of some important industries in that section. The natives were unreconstructed and sullen. One of them owned a fine water power. The dam was there, at the mill site; but the mill—well, you know the rest of this. Judge Bond said that while the others of the party were looking around the place, he engaged the owner in conversation, and among other questions he asked: “What became of your mill?” The native replied: “It was burned by _Mister_ Sherman.” Said Bond, affecting astonishment: “_Mister_ Sherman, _Mister_ Sherman—why, who is _Mister_ Sherman?” The native looked askance at him, and slowly drawled out: “Wall, Mister, he war a man what made hisself powerful unpopular around this neighborhood a few years ago.” I know a committee that was “powerful unpopular” with me this morning. Indeed, I think that for a few moments, I would have liked to _conciliate_ that committee somewhat after Gen. Butler’s idea. Col. E. W. Hincks, of the Sixth Massachusetts, explained this idea to me, some years ago. During the fall or winter of 1861, he was under Gen. Butler’s command, and received one day an order to make a scout through the surrounding country, and to report at headquarters for instructions. He reported, and, receiving from the General minute directions touching his route, duties, etc., turned to leave, when he remembered that nothing had been said about how the inhabitants were to be dealt with. So he said: “General, how shall I treat the people?” “Oh,” replied Butler, carelessly, “conciliate ’em; conciliate ’em.” Col. Hincks saluted, and started off. He had his hand on the door-knob, when Butler suddenly asked: “Young man, do you know how to conciliate an enemy?” The Colonel turned and doubtfully replied: “I do not know, General, whether I understand what you mean.” “Well,” said Butler, “the _right way_ to _conciliate_ an enemy is to take him by the throat and choke him until his eyes bulge out.”