Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-06-16

were all he sought; and he found them all in
the romantic dells and woodland heights of
the Kentucky, and on the sides of the far
spreading, gently flowing, beautiful Ohio
The feeling which his sincere and sensitive
nature had imbibed here, was as strong as that
of the Switzer for his bright lakes, lofty noun
tens, and deep valleys The wild airs of the
boat horn, which have resounded for so many
years from arks descending the Ohio and Ken-
lucky, floating along the current, and recut-
ring in echoes from the holows of the hills,
like its eddies, became as dear to him as the
famous Rams de Tache to the native of Swift
zerland. We insert, as characteristic alike of
the poetcal talent and temperament of Bullet,
some verses which the sound of this rude in
strument evoked when he returned home, re-
signing with rapture the ear-piercing fife
and spirit-stirring drum for the wooden horn;
which can only compass, in its simple melo-
dy, such airs as that 10 which Burns has set
his beautiful words
When wild wars deadly blast was blawn,
And gentle peace returning,
WI mOnY 4 sweet babe fatheress,
And mOny widow mourning;
] left the lines and tented field.
The music of this song madesthe burden of
the GO Boatman's Horn,'' and always amount
ced the approaching ark to the river villages
The sentiments of the poet, as well as the
sweet and deep tones which waited the plain
tive air over the wide expanse of the Ohio,
may have contributed TO awaken the feelings
which pervade these lines:
THE BOAT HORN
o, boatman! winG that horn again,
For never did the list'ning air
Upon its lambert bosom bear
So wild, so soft, sweet IL strain.
What though thy notes arc sad and few;
BY every simple bOaman blown,
Yet is each pulse to nature true,
And melody in every tone.
How oft in boy hoods Joyous day,
Unmindlul Of the lapsing hours
I've loItcred on my fOmeward way
BY wild OhiO'S brink of flowers
While some lone boatInan, from tic deck,
Poured his soft numbers to that tide
As if to charm from storm aud wreck
The boat where all his fortunes ride i
Delighted Nature drank the sound,
Euchanted-Echo bore it round
In whispers soft, and softer still,
Till cen the thoughtless frolick boy,
Elate with hope, and wild withoy,
Who gambold by the rivers side,
And sported with the frctting tide
Feels something new pervade his breast
Chain his light step, repress his jest,
Bends 'er the flood his eager ear
To catch the sounds far off, yet dear
Drinks the sweet draught but knowns not why
The tear Of rapture fills his eye.
And can lie now, to manhood grown,
Tell why those notes, simple aud lone,
As on the ravished ear they fell,
Bind every sense in magic spell
There is It'd" of feeling given
Beginning with the dewy flower
Just Oped in FlOras vernal bower
Rising creations orders through
With louder mnrmur, brighter hue
That tide is sympathy its cbb and flow
Give life its hues OF joy and wo.
Music, the Inaster-spirit that can move
Its waves 10 war, or lull them into love
Can cheer the sinking sailor mid the wave,
And bid the soldier on =! nor fear the grave
Inspire the fainting pilgrim on his road,
And elevate his soul to claim his God.
Then, boatman wind that horn again.
Though much of sorrow mark its strain,
Ne: are ITS notes TO sorrow dear
What though they wake fond nemOry's tear
Tears sad Memory's sacred feast,
And Rapture oft her chosen guest.
This retirement, which may almost be con-
sdered secluslOn, was enjoyed by Col. Butler
nearly twenty-five years, when he was called
ont by the democratic party 10 redeem; by his
personal popularity, the congressional district
in which he lived. 1t was supposed that no
one else could save it from the wings. Like
all the rest of his family-Hone of whom had
made their military service a passport TO the
honors and emoluments of civil stations-he
was averse TO relinquIsh the attitude he occu
pied, to enter on party struggle. The I'M
portunity of friends prevailed; and he was e.
lected TO two successive terms in Congress-
absolutely refusing to be candidate third
time He spoke seldom in Congress; but, in
two or three fine speeches, which appear in
the debates, power will readily he detected.
which coald not have failed TO conduct 10 the
highest distinction in that body. Taste, judg-
ment. and elOquence characterized all his eff
forts in Congress. A fine manner, an agreea-
BILE voice, and the high consideration accorded
10 him by the members of all parties, gave
him-what it is the good fortune of few to
obtain-an attentive and gratitied audience.
Gen Buffers political principles have been;
from his youth 10 the present day, uniformly
democratic. Brought up in the school of o.
pinon in which Mr.. Clay was once success
FIJI teacher, General Butler refused to yield his
princi pies, to promote the aspirations OF Ken
tucky's champion. Neither caJolements nor
threats could swerve him from the line OF FEC
ttude; and this fact accounts for his having
lived so much in retirement since the period OF
Mr.. Clay's detection from his old political
friends.
While he held a seat in Congress in 1841,
the case of the Mcleod trial came up, and
Gen'l Butler delivered one of the most effective
speeches which were uttered on the occasion.
AS it shows in strong co,ors his political Prlp-
cipIes, as we'll as furnishes a specimen OF his
congressional style of debate, we give an ex-
tract:
The following resolution OF MI fIoyo Oe-
ing under consideration
ResoEred, That the President Of the u. States
he requested to inform this House, if not incom-
patible with the public interest. whether any Officer
Of the army, or the Attorney General of the Uni
tod States has, since the 4th of March last, been
directed to visit the State of New York for any
purpose connected with the Imprisonment and trial
of Alexander Mcleod !; and whether by any exc
cutive measures correspondence the British GO
vernment has been g ven to understand that MI:
Mcleod will be released or surrendered and, II
so. to communicate to this House copies OF the IN
structions and report of such officer, ,...
MIR. w. o. BUTLER addressed the House as
follows: ,:...,.
MIR. SPEAKER: When this resolution was
under consideration about month since.
confess felt much anxiety to mingle in the
debate then in progress. And, although that
anxiety has in great degree subsidized wan
the feelings of the moment that gave rise 10 H.
vet will avail myself of the present moS' uh-
expected opportunity to give my views upon
it. AS am limited to single hour' VIII
enter at once on what design sayings with
out preface or exordlunI' -, ..,
[Concluded on 4h Pagel