The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-02-01
HoYT & CO., Proprietors.
.Er-G Coz. Peuy's "reminiscences of Public Men.
Andrew P. Butler.

~ An0reW Hs DutleTs
I knew Judge Butler intimately for many
wears. and had very strong friendship anc
high regard for him. When he was elected tt
the United States Senate, took a very active
part in the canvass for him. The contest be-
tween him and Governor Hammond was very
close one. In exerting my influence as mem
ber of the Legislature TO secure his election,
was actuated by various motives. My persona
friendship for the Judge was perhaps the firs
and the strongest. thought he had talent;
which would distinguish him in the Senate
and that he would there do great honor to- the
State. had the greatest confidence in his
patriotism and integrity, and l did not think
his manners, habits, learning or talents, suited
70 the bench. He was impetuous and sour on
The bench, without knowing it. He was not
very learned or profound lawyer. In many
cases where his judgment was at fault, he was
inclined to throw the responsibility of deciding
tie case on the jury. BE was 50 impatient IN
the trial of case, and so fond of cutting hls
Nit and making sport of everything. that !oc,
Cured, that lawyer felt unpleasant IN trying
before him long and complicated case :,
Judge Butler was q man OF high lnteliect
and noble natures just and honorable: He was
cordial and afectionate in his disposition bui
excessively fond of telling anecdotes and
making sport of his best friends. He loved
kumor and fun dearly. In debates, when ex-
cited, he was eloquent. At other times, when
not warmed BY the subject, or inspired BY the
occasion, he was dull and awkward. In speak
ing, he was fond of making classical illusions,
and. referring, for illustration, to the histories
of5Rome and Greece, which he had studied
we'll. ia. ---..,.-.i,
iitJulge Butler was the son Of Gen. William
Butler, a. gallant officer of the Revolutionary
army, and afterwards member OF Congress
for many years. He was finally beaten Tor
Congress by John G. Calhoun. Judge Butler
graduated at the South Carolina College, and,
after reading law, was admitted to the bar. DE
used to tell an amusing story of his going to
Immediately after his admission to the bar
Whilst at the hotel, he told the servant who
was attending to his room, to bring something
to, make his fire burn. In short time the
negro boy returned with several small pieces OF
plank, which looked very suspicious and strange
to the Judge. He enquired of the boy where
he had got this kindling for the fire. With
psrfect innocence ard frankness he replied :
hOut here at the, graveyard" 'WhatP said
the Judge, .robbing the dead to kindle fire
Take every one of those pieces back, you ras.
cal, and place them where you got them r.
They we're little pieces of plank which had
been put up at the head and foot OF graves.
The Judge concluded it was no place for him
TO settle where they had so little reverence and
respect for their dead. He returned to Edge
field, aud there commenced his professional ca
reer.
He was employed in case of SANDER for the
defence. This was his first case. The defend
ant came to him and told him that the plain
tiff was mean fellow, and great rascal, and
he wanted him severely handled in the argu-
ment. The Judge said he accordingly exhaust
ed all his powers of abuse on the plaintiff, and
had no doubt that he had increased the verdict
AGAINST his client thousand dollars by his un-
Warrantable abuse; but so much pleased was
the defendant with bis speech, that he took the
Judge to a jewellers shop and made him
present of gold watch as fee in the case.
In the Legislature, the Judge spoke very
often without preparation, and, on one occa-
sion, was not altogether accurate in his quota
ton of one of the Ten Commandments. There
upon, old Sam. Dickson, member from Pen
dfeton, who was great wag, and always drunk,
undertook to correct him in his quotation, and
said as his young friend did not seem to be IA
nniliar with the Commandments, he would re-
neat them for his benefit. The galleries were
filled with ladies' The old member went on
repeating them, with great emphasis and long
pauses, till he came to the seventh |; after re-
beating it, he stopped, and remarked that he
hoped his young friend would never forget that
In repartee, the Judge was always happy and
severe. On one occasion, in the trial OF case
at Anderson, Peter Vandiyer, a young lawyer,
said to the Judge that he differed with him IN
opinion as to the admissibility of the proposed
testimony. The Judge replied, that might De,
hut that his opinion in the ruling was worth
something, and Mr.. Nandiver's was not L
witnessed a passage at arms, once between tne
Burt. who resided Abbeville, in reference to the
con,paratire morals and temperance of the two
districts The Judge said he had seen more
drunkenness at the last Court at Abbeville
than he ever saw at Edeefeld. "But there is
this difference" said Mr.. Burt, "at Edgefeld
YOU see gentlemen drunk, which you never see
at Abbeville." The Judge replied that he did
not know there were any gentlemen at Able
Vile to get drunk.
Tn very short time after Judge Butler tool,
bis seat in the United States Senate, he gave
that body specimen of his wit and humor, at
the expense of Senator from Tennessee, which
convulsed the gravity and dignity of the Sena-
tors very much. The member had made some
assaults on Mr.. Calhoun, and the Judge replied
with comparison of the Senator most su-
nremely ridiculous, but which 1 cannot now
undertake to repeat The Judge very soon
took high position in the Senate, as public
speaker, and was greatly esteemed by his com
peers in that body, then illustrious tor its tai
emit. eloquence and patriotism.
The social qualities of Judge Butler were
very extraordinary, and as boon companion,
he could not be surpassed He always kept the
company merry and amused at his wit and
humor, pleasant stories and laaughaoie anec,
dotes. He had great many, warm, PERSONA =
friends, who always supported hIm tnongV Wbr ai,
fering with him in politics. he was wing
when elected to the Senate BY LeS,s,".%fe Ssmn%
Nullifer in 1882, was opposed to secession in
1850, and took the stump in favor of co.oper.a.
tion, which was, in fact, Union party in dis
gnise, for there was no hope of the other States