New-York tribune., 1872-09-24
CONsUL-GENERAL BUTLER.

EDhSUL-GEhEh1L DC ILEh'
There are rumors from Washington about
the case of Consul General George H. Butler
which for the honor of the United States we
trust are not true. 1t is said that the Admin
istratiOn is striving to suppress Gen. starring
reports that Butler has not been removed, but
is enjoying leave of absence; that the Presl-
dent, in fine, purposes making himself still
further responsible for the scandals OF the
Alexandria consulate and sustaining this PIC
turesaue blackguard in the position which he
has so long disgraced. 1t is not at ali incredi-
bic for President Grant has shown an aston
ishing fondness for disreputable characters
and unparalleled obstinacy In standing by IN
defensible appointments.
There is one feature of Mr.. Buffers case,
however, which the Presidents managers VIII
perhaps think it wise to consider. The United
Presbyterian Church of the United States has
a mission establishment in Egypt, of which
Copsul-General Butler constituted himself the
particular prosecutor. About thirty-fve mis-
sionaries are attached to this establishment.
Two years ago they forwarded to the Board
of Foreign Missions at Philadelphia state
ment of tho injuries they had suffered at the
hands of the American COnsul-General, with
abundant documentary evidence OF the truth
of all they charged. These papers were read
to the President by a Committee of the Board,
and Gen. Grant acknowledged himself con-
vnced and promised that Butler should be re-
moved. The promise was not kept. The out
riges of Butler grew worse and worse. Rep-
r,sentations at the White House were un-
heeded. Finally the missionaries-all OF them
American citizens-were actually forced to
apply for the protection of the British flag.
A communication was addressed to the Board
Of Missions, requesting that the necessary
papers might be made out for the formal
transfer of their allegiance from the United
States to Great Britain. The application was
signed by the Rev. Gulian Lansing, ID. d.,
John Hogg, d. d., j. Barnett, d. d., and
Messrs. Strang, Watson, Ewing, and Barr.
Fortunately, no action has yet been taken on
this application, and we may be spared one
humiliation out of the many in which Grants
Consul General seemed to have involved us.
Now it may as well be understood that no.
body will be satisfied with throwing all the
blame of this scandal upon Butler He is only
q vulgar rufian who could not be decent If he
wanted to. But the President who placed
him in an important public position; who kept
him there in defiance of the protests of re-
spectacle clergymen until he ran away from
the consequences of his own violence; who
knew of his disgraceful proceedings and
never rebuked them; who suffered our citizens
to be driven to the protection of foreign
flag, so that he might secure the help of
Benjamin +. Butler in the political canvass;
who sacrifices the safety of Americans abroad
and the dignity of the nation to his schemes
for reelection,-he is the chief culprit upon
whom rests the odium of these abominable
transactions Butler will sink into oblivion
with other pimps and bullies; but his backer
the President will be remembered.