The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-29
BEN BUTLER.

General Fitzpatrick 10 Stump tine District.
SALEM, Mass, Oct. q, 1858.
The contest in this the Fifth Congressional dis
Eict is daily becoming more animated and interest
ing, and during the few days intervening between
now and the day when the decisive ballots shah be
thrown the voters Of the district will receive addi
tional enlightenment concerning the character
views and qualifications Of the ambitious compet
tors for Congressional honors. Ever since the
"Great Commoner'' passed away the country has
been interested to know upon whom his
mantle as the radical leader would fall. II
has been, OF course, generally admitted that Ben
Butler sought this prominent distinction among
his fellow members Of Congress, and II
would seem that his untiring efforts In be-
half OF all radical measures during the last session
would fairly entitle him to follow In the path OF the
Late Thad Stevens. There are few II any, who have
watched closely the progress OF the canvass in this
district who are not abundanty satisfied that Butler
will be returned to Congress by an overwhelming
majority, Notwithstanding the tremendous pressure
which has been and is still being brought to bear
against him by prominent members OF his own party.
The General to begin with, has the advantage OF the
unanimous nomination by the regular Republican
OF having entered the field long before there any
considerable organized effort against him. Further
more, he has answered IN manner enlinently char
acterisc OF himself and satisfactory TO his friends
all OF the numerous attacks which have been made
upon him. II Is true, OF course, that there are many
who give rather credit to the statements OF his
opponents than they do to the declarations Of Butler
but this class will be found in the minority election
day unless the conclusion arrived at by your cores
pondent, after an extensive tour through the dis
trict, utterly fails.
The opposition candidates 10 Butler are Richard
II. Dana, who took the nomination Of the disafect-
ed republicans, and Judge Otis p. Lord, who was
declared the nominee by the Democratic Convention
the latter competitor in the race may already be
a ar ha
knowing full well that Butler win be more useful to
their cause than Dana, and being also aware OF the
have almost universally declared in favor Of Butler
votes The Chairman q the very Convention which
was over that the whole thing was In the interest Of
Butler and conceded that he would be elected by al
structed him, as presiding ofcer to inform Judge
Lord OF his nomination. but he thought that would
De too much OF farce, and It Is reasonable to be-
neve that the only Information the nominee has ever
had OF the doings OF the body has been what lie
learned through the newspapers.
The published interviews OF General Butler with
the HERALD reporters and his more recent CONVEX.
sations have cleared up many aspersi0ns brought
against his public and private character and 1t Is
TAR to assume that the very weapons chosen to In
sure him will rebound to his benefit and make the
assurance or his election doubly at least this
1s the way his friends regard the matter. The
charges made by General GEORGE ri. Gordon were
very severe and seemed to admit Of doubt Of their
truth, but Butler appears to have rddled them
"
sworn ailldavits. Notwithstanding all this, how
ever the opposition element among the disafrected
ncan o r no 70 Se DC as sg
engaged in 1t and from the vig0r and enthusiasm
with which they have gone to work, 1t Is clear that
have that support and confidence which would
be desirable to him. Not only many conspicuous re.
puhlicans sympathize with the enhancement, but
nearly all OF the ablest and most influential radical
journals in the State advocate It, including the lead
ing local papers In the Fifth district The Boston
ming side, was quiet until the fact foreshadowed
OF Ben's reelection and since then it has been one
OF his most enthusastictic supporters.
Among the Htumpers whom the opposition have
secured to advocate Danas election is General Kill
patrick, who viii speak against Butler during the
buryport, Peabody, Lynn Rockport and Gloucester.
In the meantime both Butler and Dana win timer
ate around the district and cndeavor to persuade
sne voters OF the superiority OF their respective
The fact that General fitzpatrick has come ont in
and his friends by surprises but the I unexpected
movement can, however,. be easily explained. A
eek ago OF more %aos one Ha
audience and he was greeted with the widest kind Of
glance that II be could secure him to 60 through the
Fifth district IN his behafi would be great help to
him. Whether or not Fitzpatrick was approached
then and there the subject does not appear. Pro-
badly he was not judging from what transpired soon
after. He was stopping at the St James Hotel, and
Butler, who. It appears, had also been impressed
with Kilpatrick's peculiar II not effective, style Of
s sw ne
1nto his district and say few words for him. The
latter declined, on the ground that he had engage
ments IN Connecticut which would occupy him until
che Of the election assuring General Butler at
The same time that he had the best wishes
e s %ss he eu ss pending nssaag 81
him, he certainly should refrain from coun-
tenanclng any measure which would operate
20 fulfil his engagements In COnnectcut but the Re-
publican Committee OF that State were obliged 70
dispense with his services In short time, for the
shan their treasury would warrant in spending
hpon single speaker. This fact. that fitzpatrick
antI-Butlerites, and Postmaster W. W. Lander, Of
Daem, was forthwith authorized TO proceed to New
York, and the Postmaster returned today ana
TO 90 through the district and do his level best for
Mr.. Dana. The letter Is a. follows:-
MErRoroIIrAS HoTrI,l
sesiss.sy Executive Committee Fii.h Dsiies Mas
assSnssss have mos. carefully considered the kind
has been pleased address the people Of he
AZ e conflicting that the eoni. in your d.rIc, was
members Of The same political orsani1aton thought II
would be neither proper nor sIpcdicnt for me 70
question II your district has been developing ITSELF until 4 Is
sae contest between MI Dana and General Butler have
but recently returned from victorious political battle
fields in Pennsylvana Ohio and Indiana aud found in
every and country Ia which spoke that hal 10
Of Gsnera ss and
OF Pendleons regulating plank Ia the demo-
soay 10 this contest for the preservation Of our national
honor convinced that lighting the democratic party
plus Benjam r. Butler.
have also seen in the newspaper to-day that democrats
o sse 5 S s ss q %
that Of other opponent OF the republican party and
great leader whose bitter personal enemy ne Is known
10 he.
converted with and asked the advice Of many very
abes and best OF the republican party,
an without exception, they have all advised
your Invitation, feeling that your contest s
Tween repubcansm and General Grant the side
r. Butler the other. II Ia them national held,
my services really desired by you now unhcs
Intingy accept invitation and will be vita Tues
day have the honor to be- very respectfully.
obelieni servant, y. hlbPATklCk.
General Kilpatriclx's Debut in the Arena Of
Anti-ButIcrisn,-Iis Opening Speech mt
Snlcm-Intercsttng and Exciting Scenes,
md General Medley OF Hisses, Cheers,
Abuses and Praises.
SATF.. Masa Oct. %. 1903.