The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1869-01-15
ButleY's New Years Call On the Presi-


The JENKINS of the Cincinnati Times, in
speaking of the Presidents New Years
callers, has the following in relation to
BEN. Butler:
But the most remarkable visitor Of the
day was general Ben. Butter. saw him
coming, and could scarce believe my eyes.
Visions Of the impeachment trial fitted be
fore my mind, ard eonid hardly realize
the fact that manager" Butler was advan.
cling, to extend his congratulations to the
great criminal he had so bitterly de-
nouuced during that remarkable trial. But
it was even so. Ee cane forward boldly
and confidently, extended his hand to the
great criminal" wbereupon the great
criminal" aforesaid gave him a cordial
shake and few words, and smile OF mu
tual satisfaction passed between them, when
Butler passed to the presidents daughters.
chat;ed few moments With them, and
then passed along with tho stream Of hu-
manity into the east room, where. In an in
slant, he was the observed OF all observers
Everybody exclaimed-"There's general
Butler II '.Did you eveIS' "Who d
have believed it" ut can't be possible, Z"
aud more of the same sort, burst from the
crowd.
Did you ever see man caught in his
neighb9r's hen-roost? l never did-but l
can imagine how O man ia such predica>
ment would feel, and l could net help think
ing that Butler looked very much like a
man in that situation. He looked at the
walls, at the ceiling, and without saying a
word to any one, made bee line straight
TO NE exit door, and departed. 1t VAS
only an instant, sud his appearance was
like an apparition. But after ne had left,
nothing was thought of or talked Of but
this singular visit, as 1t was eDtilely unex>
pected.
Not being on very familiar terms with A..
j., was curious to know what effect the
appearance of this remarkable visitor had
upon him, so ] solicited friend to pump"
him, which he did, with this result
Johusoa said that when he saw Butler
approaching he was greatly surprised, but
he was determined not to let Butter outdo
him In politenesa or courtesy, so when the
latter extended his hand, aud wished him
"a happy new year" the president return
ed bis grasp and his complimentary saluta>
tioas with interest. johnson added that
he vas very glad to See general Butler, and
that, be cherished no unkihd feelings to-
ward hin.
This visit of Butler to johnson has been
the staple Of conversation ever since, in oil
circles, aud everybody is specializing as to
what it means. Buffers friends say il
meaaS nothing more than that b. desired
to pay his respects to the p9esidcat Of tht
United STATES, aud not to the man holding
the office, and tina, there is no significance
whatever in it. Other people, however,
who think they can see as far into mill
stone as the man who peeks it, believe that
Butler intended to institute q comparison
between himself and Grant-by showing
that he could lay aside all personal feeling,
and make an official call apon the presi'
dent, IN contrast to Grant who went to
Philadelphia TO spend New Years, as some
say, to avoid making ceremonious call Oh
johnson. This is the accepted explanation
OF Butler erratic conduct On the occasion