New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-27
GEN. BCTLER

The recent affair in Richmond shows that
Whatever of hatred and wrath Still! l.scrs IN
the unIegenelate Rebel bosom finds a- once
,ubicc, and solace in Cen Butlct. He now
knows what 10 expect whenever ne may set
his foot in Southern city. Indeed, he may
think himself fortunate If those 20 whom he
is personally and politically obnoxious allow
theii wrath 20 be restrained bv the etiquette OF
the ducl, and refrain from the 5wiftcl and per
haps safer resource OF assassination. We can
not but regard it'as some evidence Of progress,
that he left Richmond alive that no
patriotic bravo shot him IN the street
that no pltrarchal Brutus murdered
him in his bed. Some years ago, if ne
had entered Richmond under circumstances
at all similar, he might have been hung by
mob or he slt have been subjected to the
indignity Of tar and feathers. Even now he
might not be safe in New-Orlcans, and he
might be malci0usy dealt with in Charleston.
1t cannot be denied that hc is extremely well
hated By those who felt the force OF his heavy
and vigorous hand during the Rebellion, and
who were compelled by him 10 maintain an
outward obedience to the laws when obedience
was the most disasteful Ii IS not for nothing
that they have nicl,named him "the Beast"
hool-boys have found Il similar comfort
when writhng under deserved fustiga-
ton. That he is much hated by
the higher class OF Rebels, by the
more honorable and intelligent of the Secession
ists we do not believe. They have the sense
TO comprehend that Gen. Butler did 10 more
than his duty they respect him for doing it
vigorously albeit they may have smarted under
IL 10. eel.a ,,.l TO-
plain that he treated New-0reans very much
as they would have treated Washington if it
had fallen into their hands. Those who were
half Rebels and half rogues entertain different
feeling; yet while they continue to believe
that the fate of Mr.. Lincoln was simply just,
and that it would have been but fair to reduce
New-York to ashes by the hand of a mid
night inccndiary, they may well hold
Gen. Butler in horror aud in ha
tired.
The main Ofensc OF Gen. Butler during the
whole war, and especially at New Orleans,
was, that having been ordered by his Govern
ment to do certain things, he proceeded forth
with to do them with simplicity and severity.
lie kept no terms with treason and he is
hated accordingly. But so is every other Cen
eral who struck effective and vigorous blows
| at the Rebellion. So is Sherman aud so is
Sheridan. These distinguished commanders
have been denounced quite rs often and quite
as savagely as Gen. Butler in the quasi-Rebel
| cwspapers-denounced the one rs a plunderer
and the other as a poltroon. But the Rebel
riff-rafl sought central point of personal ha-
tired, and they found it in Gen. Batter. His
rigid and effective government of New Oreans;
his summary treatment Of the worthless scoun-
drels who were there gathered together; his
determination that the Union pure and simple
should there be at least openly respected; his
restraint of desparing passions, and his manage
ment of municipal disafection, at once surprised
and exasperated those who had SO long availed
themselves, for their own purposes. of the pre-
yalent license and anarchy. His severity has