Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-10-10
ruE ASSASSIN BUTLER.

1t is generally supposed that Roderick
Random Butler, the Radical nominee
for Congress in the First Congressional
District, is merely common forger, a
cbeap rascal in the market to sell anything
he has, from his soul down to compli-
mentary ticket on railroad; therefore
he has only ranked as an ordinary rascal,
but an exposure he once made OF him
self. and which has recently been brought
to light fixes on his name forever, the
word assassin. When Butler claimed a
seat in the Fortieth Congress, the i'm
mortal Mullins opposed his adj
mission on the ground that the
said Butler was renegade end a muir
derer. Mullins made a speech on the
occasion, June 10, 1868. The Com
mittee on Elections allowed Butler to
make proof ofhis loyalty. He proved that
he had paid pair of boots as the pnce
of assassinating Confederate Captain
named Waugh, and had contracted to
assassinate a man named Sam Mcqueen,
giving as a premium a suit Of clothes.
This was sufficient, the committee re-
quired nothing more, he was admitted to
his seat. Mullins, however, made his
speech, which was published in the Con
qressional Globe. The following ex-
tracts are worth reproducing, and should
be circulated in the First District:
''fn these two instances, Mr. Butler,
according TO his own proof, is legally
and morally guilty Of the subornation
of assassination, and is, therefore, just
as much an assassin as those who com
mitted and attempted the infamous
5eedl
I'm the history Of all great criminals
II is their first and greatest aim 10 con-
ceal. BY every artifice that deyilish in
genuity can fabricate. their dark deeds
of villiany and murder. However vile
and depraved, however lost TO all senti.
meuts Of common humanity, they dread
40 be held up in the glaring light OF
truth to the gaze OF mankind, as spec
taele Of ienominy and an object of uni.
versal execfation. But this gentleman,
mike the common villain, desplsing
the shame and condemnation of public
opinion, disdaining the contempt OF all
good men, scorning the spirit OF CHRIS
tan civilization, and knocking at the
law which Furnishes the assassin, comes
up before the Congress of the United
States. pnd with a blushless, shameless.
face. with all the brazen effrontery OF 8
devil incarnate, points 70 the bloody
garments of his murdered fellowman
and says: This is my deed this Is my
Recommendation to a seat in Congress
this is the proof Of my loyaltyl
Twill this honorable body accept the
eentleman's completely in the crime Of
assassination as a proof Of his loyalty
and as virtue2 Will they admit TO a
seat in the Congress Of the American
Republic a man who is shown 70 be a
traitor, a periurer and an assassin II
this is the course you propose, If this Is
the precedent you intend 10 establish,
90 exhume from a dark and ignominous
grave the decaying bone Of the assas.
sin who, IN an hour OF national rejoic'
ing. struck down our beloved Lincoln,
and plunged the nation into the depths
Of q mighty sorrow; gather up his bones,
build splendid maLsoieum 10 his fame,
place them in its sacred vault. and in
letters Of gold let this epitaph perpeiu-
ate his glory: To the memory Of Booth,
the assassin Of an American Presidentl
Rest not TN you have rescued from
The condemnation Of al mankind, and
GRATED 10 honor and 70 glory the mem
or Of every murderer and assassin that
sser stained with he deeds Of blood the
hItoric pagei The victims Of the gen
teaan's nnholy revenge were rebels u
strus. they may have richly deserved
'~es.iA IL = penalty Tor their ofcnses.
-, there not q FEC and open held
- the gentleman might have dis