Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-29
TUE EXPONENT OF RADIcAL1sM,

70 be recognized as the leader of the Re
publicans. This enviable distinction
seems about to be gained with the Grant
wing of the party, since Wilson is in
elined to take the liberal side. Butler
has brass, brains and vanity enough to
command the admiration of the class he
has to deal with. The more he is abused
and the greater his yillainies and incon-
sistencies are shown to have been, the
olos5r his friends will gather around
him. Butler has the ear Of the Admin
istration, and his utterances may be re-
garded as almost semi-olficial. He made
a notable speech at Music Hall, in Bos-
ton, Wednesday night, the 23d inst. In
the outset he declared that the results
flowing from the late war and from the
expansion of the country and its multi
ferrous interests have abrogated quite all
distinctions of party doctrines and party
watch-words, save the single dogma OF
States rights, in contradistinction to
the rights of the Federal Union as
National Government. He said that
the Republican party at its inception
held but one common cardinal principle
the highest claim it had demanded-the
abolition of slavery. That has been ac-
complished and ratified by the Constitu-
tons of all the States lately in rebellion,
leaving the party no peculiarly of doc
trine upon which to rally its partisans.
Its work is done, he mournfully admit
ted; its record in the past. Its mission
at home has ended, save to garner the
gleanings Of the harvest of its great past.
This is indeed a significant admission,
coming from the great mouth-piece Of
extreme New England radicalism; but it
viii take Bntler some time to beat this
into the heads of all his blind party. He
took occasion to say in the same eonnec-
ton that all former Democratic ideas
have also vanished, save carping eriti-
cisms upon the Administration which
may be the basis of an opposition, but not
the foundation upon which great party
can sustain itself and govern country.
There is where Butler will find himself
mistaken. The Democracy has founda-
ton as broad as the rights of the people,
and as deep as the principles of justice.
The Republican party has been sec
rional party only, and in the nature of
things could never be anything else.
The Democratic party is national, lib
eraL just; and is the only one in the
country that can restore the Constitu-
tion and the down-trodden people of the
South 10 their rights Butler went on
10 SAY that his party had but single
common idea to-day, and that is that the
Government shall not pass out Of their
hands Worthy words for Butler
Grn1a administration be declared to be
stronger thar any other since the days
E5aeks0n. He found great consolation
ia fhe fact thar Grant viii not meet an
Imposition Speaker in his first House of
Representative, beng the first instance
of the kind since Jackson The country
Is safer in the hands Of the Re
publican party than the Demo
cratic, aays Builers upon this
polui tisge must be no difference Of
pliinion, but upon al other subjects the
greatest Multitude IL allowed This Is
rather candid IN Butler IT means that
everything will be sacrificed to psrpeiB-
ase the hold If the Radical party upon
tue Government H. admitted that his
party Is divided on the tariff question,
bui eheered ms twenty-five hundred
hearers with the ASSERTION that the
Democrats are not q uuit upon revenue
measures Be admitted and asserted
the same IN regard 10 the finance aud
eUrrepry questions Butler discussed /
'pther bat leas important subjects and
eoutenied himself with claiming that
both parties have changed ground, and
80 some instances exchanged positions;
aud thar there Is nut such q great
difference. after all 10 regard 70 the
Alabama claims be was particularly
serere upon the course taken By Eng-
land 10 faroring the South, bun aid
ie was noi In favor d war His rem
edru eompLeie. thorough and stringent
nou.ju.ereourss. This. be deelares,
EouId brsng England - her senses. and
cause John Ball - settle Up eyery Earth
iag Of damage done 70 American CON
meree b. the Alabama and the shenan-
doas. This oourss be says, would work
a revolution IN England in SIX months.
What a coming down for the warlike
Butler and what q silly suggestion to
come from one supposed 70 be 50 saga
cious. This may please New England
manufacturers, who dread British goods
but what benefit would be derived by the
eountry al large7 And how long could
not England hold out2 The audaeious
orator went on 70 say that England ought
to remove her power from this continent
as an apology for the damages done by
the Alabama. This is cool. The British
Cabinet will take the proposition under
coEs:doration about the time the Horth
pole thaws out. This may tickle
the vanity aud cupidity of Boston
audiences, bpt 1t is sheer nonsense
and proelaims that the great Radical
spokesman IS hpmbug, as well as
crafty old knave He devoted the
greater part Of bis speech to the endeavoI
to show what great temptation this
country has 10 60 10 war with England
how It would be sustained BY the Democ-
raey. and how the brave sons Of the
South, as be calls them, would rejoice at
a. opportunity to rally once more under
the starry folds Of fhe Old flag. Excuse
us. Mr.. Batter aud Mr.. Grant; We might