The southern press., 1852-03-09
For The Southern Press
The Democratic Review, and Gen. William
O. Butler.
TO Lhe Editors of he Democratic Reuier:

10 me EdHoTS ~ me IeHl0crdtc hepien:
| desire not to ask for any portion of your
valuable space; but hope so far to claim your
attention, as 10 induce you TO an examination,
which cannot but result in reparation Of an err
ror of personal injustice-committed | trust,
carelessly, in the ardor Of hnsty political zeal.
Your February number contains, in an article
depreciating the civil qualifications Of General
WIN. o. BUTLER for the Presidential Office, the
following structures on his worth and conduct
as a soldier.
-In active service on the theatre where he has
won his only reputation, he has never shown
capacity beyond that of n brave subaltern.
Even when the brightest opportunity was af-
forded hi,2 as a general officer in the American
campaigrlthe high military forecast which
watches over the lives Of brave soldiers who
must act implicitly by the thought Of another,
was found mournfully 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 n glance, either in thought or in
word. Neither is il ny purpose 10 enter into
the general Question Of his military genius ard
skill for such debate will, in every case, where
prejudices intervene, leave the matter, 10 some
extent, one OF opinion still. Issues Of fact,
fortunately, your accusations wear the shape Of
statements Of fact Perhaps IL is not right So
TO classify your sweeping assertion that "he has
never shown capacity beyond that Of a brave
subaltern." This opinion covers too much
ground 10 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 be possessed the capacity Of
q brave subaltern only, he must in these posi-
lions pave displayed no capacity at all, and was
as il.htted for the command as your pressman
would be to write = leader on 1852 and the
Presidency"
] come al length 10 specific points, on which
your falsihcation Of history may be easily and
briefly proved.
As" the theatre, where he has won his oylv
reputation" Mexico is doubtless indicated by
the context. The editors and readers Of the
Democratic RsrieD are, perhaps, ignorant OF the
early military history of General BuTLyR. They
may not be aware that this scion Of the fight
ing BUTLER's-a family whose names are con
nected with almost every portion Of our wars,
from the earliest TO the latest--was participant
in the extreme hardships and sufferings Of the
northwestern campaign, prisoner at The River
foundation for capacity as a commander, his ca.
pacity as {" brave subsltern." Il is strange,
however, that any one presuminR 10 speak er
cafhedra, should ignore the position and services
Of BUTLER under General Jackson. Being
only captain It's true, hisservices might escape
notice, had not q higher command been acci.
dentally devolved upon him, and his conduct IN
that command called forth the special com
mendations OF his illustrious Grief In the
night ight 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 10 the skill Of military
man; nor can his successful extricati0n OF
his regiment from its perilous position, lend
color to the imputation Of beadlong rsshness.
conveyed in your further remarks, which am
presently TO notice. The appreciation Of JACK.
SON was not confined 10 words, but followed ont
BY The substantial compliment Of attaching Bur.
LER 10 his personal staf--and continued 10 his
dying day 10 be evinced In expressions of The
warmest personal regard, and professional es
teen for ByrLER as n man and soldier The
seal Of General JscKsor's approval isenough 10
stamp with reputation the character Of any Of.
6cer, and might even be supposed worthy TO find
favor with the Democratic ReUieD.
SO much for your assertion that Mexico is
"the theatre where he (BUTLERl has won his
only reputation" An issue still more easily,
tho less briefly, disposed Of remains naked
question of fact You are pleased to say Of
BUTLER that seven when the brightest oppor.
tunity was afforded him as general officer in
the Mexican campaign, the high military fore.
cast which watches over the lives Of brave col
diers, who must act implicitly BY the Thought