Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-01-28
For he Enquirer.
GENERAL BUTLER OF KENTUCKY.

For tie Enquirer.
GENERAL BUTLER OF KENTUCKY.
CARROLL Co. Va, Jan. 10, 1913.
Gentlemen The period is rapidly approach
inc in which will again be witnessed The slfuS
giles and eycements OF another Presidential can.
vass In those struggles and excIiemenls all
who cherish an interest in political affairs must,
TO greater or less extent expect 10 participate.
Already much anxiety prevails as 10 The great
preliminary question, who are 10 be the candi-
daies2 Until each OF The great political parties
shall have selected its leader, this question will
BE- necessarily agiiated-lhe merits OF the seve-
raj prominent persons will be closely scrutinized,
their opinions analysed, their actions noted. Of
one fact The Democracy may rest assured, 10 wit:
that their opponents will leave no stone unlurned
10 secure an available candidate and TO ensure
his election. 1.-THE Wings can concentrate their
strength on any one man, we need not anticipate
an easy victory over them.
Under such circumstances no Democrat can
be insensbc 10 the importance, 10 The Republic
can principles and party, OF lutlcious selection
of candidate on our side. ] do not propose 10
discuss the mode Of selection: wish only 10 lay
hands on the proper man. We know that on
this subject there is much diversity Of sentiment.
We have so many good men that The great difh-
Gully lies in the choce-ani by the way, our
Wing friends seem 10 be "among The breakers"
also on This point. While so many on both sides
arc urging the claims OF their respective iavo-
Iiles, hope you will allow Inc space enough in
your columns 10 say word in regard 10 one
whose name is not as humbly opne, sufficient
" conspicuous laIlude 10 Major General VIM
D. Butler, OF Kentucky His character com.
bines in my estimation, all the qualifications ne
cessafy 10 hi him Tor The incumhency Of he Pre-
sidenla chair need not dae upon his pa
lriotism, his courage, his integrity. No one can
be 80 much prcjrdiced ~ political cissenslon as
10 deny Gen. Butler the merit OF chcrishlns those
noble feelings in their brightest purity. lie
proved his youthful yalor and love OF his conn.
try amid the SHOWS Of the river Raisin, beneath
the ramparts Of Pensacola through the petils Of
the Cypress Swamps, on the breastwork of "cot-
ton bales" at New Orleans-and the bloodtap
| tized streets Of Monterey are witnesses 10 this
dav. that though "talling into The sere and yell
low Leaf" the fires OF courage and patriotism
still burn brightly in his bosom. He is yet in
Mexico, 'rcady-ars, rcady."
But il is moi upon Gen. Buffers military SER
vices and qualifications alone that would base
his claims 10 the attention OF the Democracy
Grateful as we must ever be 10 the brave men
who have fought our country's battles, and proud
as we are OF their achievements, we should bear
L
widely different in their nature from The com
mand OF armies and the destruction Of hostile r.
gions-duties having no connection vi h Di!ra-
~ affairs, and requiring a training totally di>s',
milar 10 that which will fit man Tor The "ienfd
field" Such training Gen. Butler mas enjoy,
ed and has improved. A ripe scholar, learned
iurist a profound sta,esman-he mas S'udleu me
Constitution and laws OF hiscountry, understands
the POLITICAL questions which divide parties, has
made up his opinions, and has participated in the
national councils. This renders him, think,
(eyen il political sentiments were eniIcly dsre
sarded,) decidedly preferable TO Gen Scott or
Gen. Taylor. who are re>Eec iyely The tavolii,s
o, a large portion o. he Wings. They mi
iary men by profession. Almost their cu'i:e
lives have been passed in the ar'ny-Gen Tay
Tor having received his fl 81 commission in hrs
18Th wear, il | mistake MOI. Such men cannul
but consider dangerous occupants OF the Pres-
Dental chair Their habits OF lie, range OF s:uir,
and course Of experience, arc not such as Ia pc.
pare them for the discharge Of civil duties
rather tend 10 disCuaiiy them for their perform.
ance. Here however, | shall be met by the
names of w ashiHgIon and Jackson; but, as the
lawyers would say, "lhe cases are not in point"
Neither OF these great men was regularly trained
and educated for a soldier; neither OF them militia
~ men Ia profession. Both entered the service
walks of civil lie, wien The occasion which re-
ouired their services, had passed away. Wash
incton wa, engaged in The occupation 81 sur
veyor previous 10 The opening "i hoslilines with
the French and Indians All,r lhe- cI,sc, he de-
voted himself TO his farm, ard vas engaged in
agriculture al the breaking o"t OF The Hevo!n-
tionary War. When the struggle was over, nc
returned to his estate, and was then summoned to
the Presidency Jackson 1ractIsed law many
V, airs, acted as judge. and Represented his Safe
IL tie Senate long tri"lc he wns r'acrd az
the head Of IN army. When active servic" in
The field was no longer required, he resigned his
commission, and again devoted himself to The
ayucalions Of civil life. OF similar nature mas
been the career OF William O.. Butter. When
his country was engaged in actual hostilies. he
has ever been ready 10 she'd his blood. He has
filed almost every grade in the military service
Commencing as private, he Is now MAJOR
General; and in all these stations he has receiv-
ed the appreciation OF his military superiorS, and
mc;it-d the thanks OF his country. In the walks
ri civil lite he has also been Distinguished
Though defeated when a candidate Tor the office OF
Governor OF Kentucky, yetlhai defeats a'ifhua-
bic solely to The large Wing majority OF that Siaie;
and no one else could have come 80 near an
overthrow Of that majority. His district has al
WAYS elec;ed him 10 Congress, when candidate,
and feel no d0ub, that The Democracy OF III
Union would joyously rally round him in case he
should be our candidate.
Am then acting Improperly in calling ailen-
lion 10 this patriot, statesman and soldier} am
not asking The Democracy to Ego il blind" Tor one
whose political opinions are unknown 10 them,
merely because he has performed signal military
achievements Nc; Gen. Butler has been long
snown; his opinions are hose OF the Democracy;
he will be a safe and reliable leader, and am
constrained to believe successful ono.
A Democratic State Convention is about 10
assemble in the City Of Richmond: 10 that body
| would especially suggest the propneLy OF pre-
.ep,ipa the name Of Gen Butler 10 the Democra-
cy of The Union, as proper candidate for The
Presidency in the election now rapidly approach
ing DEMoChAl.