The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-01

O. Butler Kentucky, during investment of New Or
leans by the British forces in 1914 and 1919 wish MAJ
sufficient strength speak fully of the merit and the sefv
ices Of Col Butler ON that occasions this strength has
GO Suffice 70 iry na d on an OF ods ms ia s
midst of danger which distinguish the valuable officer IA
noble qualities displayed by him on the night OF the go
December 1914 and the sh of January lSo as wei as
all times during the presence OF The BRUSH army at New
Orleans In short he be found oil points where
duty called hazard nothing in saying tha should our
country again be engaged ia war during the acuye age
Col Butler he would be one OF the very best %
could be made command army, and lead he cages
energy assume all responsibility necessary to success
anu W ME ''''''' s''1' ANDREW JACKSON.
General Jackson gave earlier proof OF the high est
nation in which he held the young soldier who mad
identified himself with his glory at New Orleans
He made him his aid e-camp in 1916, which station he
retained on The peace establishment with the rank OF
colonel But like his lustrious patron, he soon ie hat
military station and distinction had no charms Tor HIM
when unattended with the dangers, duties. and patriotic
achievements of war He resigned, therefore, even the
association with his veteran chief OF which he was so
proud. and retired IN 1917 TO private hie lie resumed
his study of the profession that interrupted by the
war; married, and settled down his patrimonial pos
session at the confluence OF the Kentucky and Ohio rivers
in the noseless but arduous vocatons vi civil HE Inc
him The region around him wild and romantic,
sparsey settled and by pastoral people There are
no populous towns. The high. rolling and yet rich
landslide precpitous cliffs Of the Kentucky, OF Eagle,
Severn and other tributaries which pour into 1t near
the mouth, make this section Of the State still, to
some extent, wilderness OF thlckets-oi the tangled
rendered all Kentucky, until the intrusion OF the
whites, one great Indian park. The whole luxurlant
domain was preserved by the Indians pasture for
buffalo, deer, elk, and other anmas-their enjoy
ment alike chase and subsistence-by exclu-
ding every tribe from fixing habitanon In IT. Its
name consecraed the dark and bloody grounds and
pursued every foot that trod it. In the midst OF this
REGION in April l79l VIM O. Butler was born in Jessa
mine county, the Kentucky river: His father had
V.x attn in
1889, Miss Howkns sister -in-law OF Col Todd, who
COMMANDED and persisted in the battle OF the Blue Lcks
Following the instincts of his family which seemed ever
court danger, Gen Pierce Butler as neghborhood en-
croached around him. removed, not long after the birth
of his son William the mouth OF the Kentucky river.
Through this section, the Indian warpah into the heart
of Kentucky passed. Until the peace OF 1884, there was
scarcely day that some hostile savage did not prow
through the tangled forests and the labynnihs OF hills
streams and cliffs which adapted this region to their
lurking warfare Front they emerged when they made
their last formidable ncursion and pushed their foray TO
the envrons of Frankfort the capital OF the State Gen
Pierce Butler had side OF him the Ono, on the
farther shore of which the savage hordes still held the
mastery and the other, the romantic region through
which they hunted and pressed their war enterprises
And here, amid the of border warfare, his son
William had that spirit which has animated him through
life, educated by the legends OF the Indian fighting hunt
ers of Kentucky.
To the feelings and taste inspired by the pecuarities of
the place and circumstances adverted to- must be arbu
ted the return of Col Butler to his fathers home to en-
ter on his profession as lawyer There were no great
causes rich clients to attract hmno dense population
to lift him TO the political honors OF the State The elo
quence and learning the industry and integrity which he
gave adjust the controversies OF Gallan and the
rounding counties, would have crowned him with wealth
and professional distinctions if exhibited at Louisville or
Lexington But he coveted neither. Independence, the
affections of his early associates, the love OF family
Gle, and the charm which the recollection OF happy boy
hood gave the in which he reared were all
he sought and he found them all in the romantic dels
and woodland heights of the Kentucky and the sides
of the spreading gently flowing, beautiful Ohio The
feeling which his and sensitive nature had I'M
bbed here as strong as that OF the Swzer for his
bright lakes, lofty mountains, 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 recurring in echoes
from the hoows OF the hills like its eddes became as
dear him the famous Rams de pace to the native OF
Switzerland. We insert as characteristic alike OF the po-
ecal talent and temperament OF Butler. some verses
which the sound of this rude instrument evoked when
he returned home resgning with rapture the pier
cling fife and spirit stirring drum lon the wooden horn,
which only compass in Its simple melody, such airs
as that to which Burns has set his beautiful words
When wild wars deadly blast bawn,
And genie peace returning,
WI mony sweet babe tatheress,
Aud nony widow moafninsj
l lett the lines and tented field
The music of this song made the burden Of the Boat
Horn, and always announced the approaching ark
to the river villages.
The sentiments Of the poet as well as the sweet and
deep which waited the painve air the wide
expanse OF the Ohio may have contributed to awaken
the feelings which pervade these lines:
THE BOAT HORN.
o, boatman! wind that horn again,
For never did the llst'nng air
Upon its lambert bosom bear
So wild, SO soft, so sweet strain
What though thy notes sad and few,
BY every simple boatnan blown
Yet is each pulse TO nature true,
And melody in every tone.
| How Oft in boyhood's joyous day,
Unmindiul OF the apsing hours,
i I've loered on my homeward way
! BY wild Ohios brink of flowers
i While some lone boahnap, from the deck
\ Poured his soft numbers TO that tide,
4 As If 10 charm from storm and wreck
I The boat where all his fortunes ride
Il Delighted Nature drank the sound
! Enchanted-Echo bore it round
| In whispers SOFT and softer still,
From hill to plain, and plain to hill,
i Till cen the tloughtiess, frolick boy,
i Eatc with hope, and wild with Joy,
/ Who gambold by the rivers side,
4 And sportcd with the fretting tide,
l Feels something new pervade his breast,
Il Chain his light step, repress his jest,
Il Ben DER the flood his eager ear
To catch the sounds far Off yet dear
i Drinks the sweet draugh, but knows not why
| The tear of rapture fills his eye.
! And lean he now, TO manhood grown,
\ Tell why those notes, simple and lone,
/ As on the ravished they fell
| Bind every in magic spell
There is tide OF feeling given
To all on eaith-ts fountain, Heaven.
| Beginning with tn Ndewy flower,
! Just oped in Flora's verna bower
/ Rising creations orders through
1 With llnder murmur brighter hue
/ That tide is sympathy its ebb and flow
i Give lie its hues OF joy and wo.
Music, tue masier-sprt that can move
| lis waves to war, or lul them into love-
! Can cheer the sinking sailor mid the wave
| And bid the soldier on nor fear the grave
i Inspire the lanting pilgrim on his road,
4 And elevate his soul to claim his God.
Then, boliman wind that horn again!
Though