The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-08
For the Southern Press.
The Democratic Review, and Gen. william
0. Butler.

| To the Editors Of the Democratic Reuieu:
desire not to ask for any portion of your
valuable space but | hope so far to claim your
attention, as to induce you to an examination,
which cannot but result in reparation Of an err
ror of personal njustice-commtted, | trust,
carelessly, in the ardOr of hasty political zeal
Your February number contains. in an article
depreciating the civil qualifications of General
| VIM. 0. BUTLER for the Presidential Office the
following structures on his worth and conduct
as a soldier.
ain active service on the theatre where he has
won his only reputation, he has never shown
capacity beyond that of brave subalterr
Even when the brightest opportunity was af-
forded lri&Ns general officer in the American
campaign, the high military forecast which
! watches over the lives of brave soldiers who
must act implicitly by the thought of another,
was found mournfuly wanting"
With this portion only of your remarks shall
occupy myself. Upon the political bearing
of your discussion of General BUTLER, choose
not to cast glance, either in thought or in
word. Neither is it my purpose to enter into
the general question of his military genius and
skill, for such debate will, in every case, where
prejudices intervene, leave the matter, to some
extent, one Of opinion still. Issues of fact,
however, are more conveniently dealt WITH and
fortunately, your accusations wear the shape of
statements Of fact. Perhaps it is not right 30
to classify your sweeping assertion that "he has
never shown capacity beyond that of n brave
subaltern." This opinion covers too much
ground to allow of but one remark. The ser.
vices of this officer were, throughout the Mexi.
can war, rendered as at least second, and in
some great parts as first, in the rank of the
whole army. If he possessed the capacity of
a brave subaltern only, he must in these posi-
tons have displayed no capacity at all, and was
as ill-6tted for the command as your pressman
would be to write leader on 1852 and the
Presidency"
come at length to specific points, on which
your Justification of history may be easily and
briefly proved
As I" the theatre, where he has won his only
reputation" Mexico is doubtless indicated by
tho context. The editors and readers of the
Democratic Repiew are, perhaps, ignorant of the
early military history of General BUTLER. They
may not be aware that this scion of the sight
ing BUTLER's--a family whose names are con.
nected with almost every portion of our wars,
from the earliest to the latest--was n participant
in the extreme hardships and sufferings of the
northwestern campaign, prisoner at the River
Rasin, and established in those days the best
foundation for capacity as commander, his ca
pacity as "brave subatern." 1t is strange,
however, that any one presuming 10 speak er
cathedra, should ignore the position and services
Of BUTLER under General JACKSON. Being
only captain It's true, his services might escape
notice, had not higher command been acct
dentally devolved upon him, and his conduct in
that command called forth the special CON-
mendations of his iustrious chief In the
night fight at New Orleans, fortune gave him the
opportunity to exhibit the highest qualities of
leader, on an occasion of that description noto-
riously most trying to the skill of military
man; nor can his successful extrication Of
his regiment from its perious position, lend
color to the imputation of headlong rashness,
conveyed in your further remarks, which am
presently to notice. The appreciation of JACK
SON was not confined to words, but followed out
by the substantial compliment of attaching Bur
LER to his personal stah--and continued to his
dying day TO be evinced in expressions of the
warmest personal regard, and professional es-
TEEN lor BUTLER as man and soldier. The
seal OF General JAcxsoN's approval is enough to
stamp with reputation the character Of any Of
iIcer, and might even be supposed worthy to find
favor with the Democratic Repien.
So much for your assertion that Mexico is
"the theatre where he BUTLERl has won his
only reputation An issue still more easiJv.
tho less briefly, disposed of remains-a naked
question of fact You are pleased to say ofI
BUTLER that "even when the brightest oppor
tunity was afforded him general officer in
the Mexican campaign, the high military fore
cast which watches over the lives of brave sol.
diers, who must act implicitly by the thought