The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-10
p POLITICAL.
State Convention of the Massa-
chusetts Radical Party.
Speeches by General Butler
and Ex-Governor Boutwell,.
Nomination OF Candidates for State Officers
and Presidential Electors.
Interesting History of an Ambitious
but Unsuccessful Politician.

Interesting History OF an AMBITIOUS
but Unsuccessful Politician.
WORCESTER, Mass, Sept 0, 1868.
The radical party of Massachusetts Is greatly exer'
cisea about coming events, If the great number OF
delegates gathered in the State Convention in this
city to-day is any Indication 1t was probably the
largest gathering Of representatives Of the dominant
party of the State assembled within its borders;
but the chief reason in explanation Of this fact Is
that there was anticipated sharp struggle for the
candidate for Governor between the rival friends Of
William Clafn, Of Newton present Lieutenant Gov
ernor), and Dr.. George B. Lorng, OF Salem. There
was also some feeling OF preference for the candi-
date for the second place on the ticket many dele
gates favoring Colonel Joseph Tucker, OF Lenox
and others Whiting Grswold, OF Greenfield and
Ensign II. Kellogg, of Pttsield On account Of these
differences among the delegates there was sort Of
informal caucus hedlast evening for the purpose Of
efecting reconciliation if possible, and at that
gathering it was indicated pretty clearly that the
ticket of the day would be Claim and Tucker
SPEECH OF GENERAL BUTLER.
The most noticeable feature, however OF this pre-
hminary caucus was q speech by Benjamin +. But
ler of Gloucester, formerly major general of volun
teers in the United States Army now major general
OF the Massachusetts militia, member of Congress
from the Fifth district, and few days since returned
from government FISH commission visit to Prince
Edward Island. He was loudly cheered when
he came into the hall, and after returning
some thanks for the kindly notice Of his presence
he went on to say that the contest began in 1851
with the bullets Of the enemy is now continued, and
to be closed, he hoped, in this campaign by the bal
lot In $780, under every form Of constitutional law
the voice Of the majority Of the people, expressed in
the only manner in which the regulated voice Of
freemen can be expressed, was given to Abraham
Lincoln. Applause.) 1t was the duty then OF every
good and true man to bow to the will Of the people,
But those who had risen to power under the black
nag Of slavery for SO many years refused to yield to
that voice, and raised the nag Of war. Then 1t be-
came the duty Of every American freeman who loved
his country range himself by the side of the country
and fight the battle to the bitter end. The first enemy
that met the North was slavery, which had been
the cause of the war. That was swept away by the
immortal proclamation Of Lincoln. (Applause.) The
rebellion was conquered and the SOuherners at the
hour Of their surrender were ready to yield every;
States. Unfortunately compromising principle in
1854 for the sake of expectancy and concilating the
border States, border State man was taken as Vice
President of the United States. That unfortunate
mistake introduced new element into the politics
Old World had changed dynastes and destroyed
States The bullet Of Booth changed the gov
the Of pace ~ ana iacon
The power went into his hands and he be-
came subservient tool OF other men. He under.
took to set aside the just powers OF Congress, and
one side giving laws to the republic and the Execn.
should not be executed until anarchy regned at the
South and no Union mans life was safe there: The
over in the war, and under the same leaders; the
very men that were met In the feld-the Forests
party General Butler then referred to
the recent letter Of General Lee, and said that he
naa s s
faithless can never have any political rights In the
south He WIN make he says an wh
their rights. II 3 to be slavery, in fact; for any
Slaves for who Is nee who has not the right and the
power to enforce hts freedomf Applause.l They
the same dag Now they hoist the Stars and Stripes;
but 1t il easily remembered that seven years ago,
%nsn s Wa6 eV PaS ow
Ing the North the prestige Of the old fiag Now they
propose 70 fight the battle under our nag. They
glory, and not with any approximation Of the
as they would 'sfeai the livery Of Heaven to
serve tie Devil in.n daughter and loud applause.)
sS ensS 3 @ an
questions should be laid aside. With General Blair
he believed they should regard only questions Of re.
question Of peace or war; Unless the constitutional
amendment Is ratified by all the States necessary,
thing and the chances for the payment OF the rebel
debt look up The party should not be divided upon
the question Of the manner of the payment Of the
paid was assured. The democracy,h is true are
national debt until the fact that II would some time be
s q hsRr y kaee tas
people ignorant OF the true issues OF the con-
test. In regard to their candidate for Governor
his main recommendation FOR the nomination was
in the fact that he once belonged to the republican
ever that only three years ago in the Legislature Of
Massachusetts as republican, the same gentleman
their ranks, BECAUSE they might not always be faith
full. Naughter) Upon tins point General Butler
salon take one who has become republican
sgHsn but sss us SSes fesreS asss
Abbott, compmenting his legal ability, but saying
that he thought about as much OF his political sa-
fnstead OF discussing the great issues Of the gay
Judge Abbott had been telling his democratic
Congress has. lie has nothing to say Of
Forrest, nor anything about the victorious
rS ans a q DO e nssa s sSoai Js pss Sc
Sa. sSsss V Ssss General S$sf ssS
side. He would not compare the number Of pen;
knives OF each Congressman now with that Of good
the republican, Congress had reduced the estimate Of
government expense eighty million dollars below
what had been stated by the secretary OF the Trea-
sury, who has recently declared himself in favor OF
Seymour and Blair. This same Congress had also
try tax OF 81, 900 and TO one penknfe of ex-
travagance mentioned BY Judge Abbott he could
show million dollars retrenchment. In conclusion
General Butler spoke OF the gaze Of the country
being fixed upon Massachusetts,, and Of the grand
work which the republican party has done IN the
past fer this country and the world and Of the glo-
rious destiny Which awaits It. r M. -
Butler was, Oh course loudly cheered, AZ were
also the speeches made during the evening by Messrs.
Harvey Jewell, Of Boston; Richard Il. Dana, of Cam.
bridge, and others The meeting separated amid
as could nd beds retired for the night with the be.
lief that with the coming morrow the Convention
- luld pass along smoothly and harmoniously. How
w. founded their expectations were in this respect