New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-21
TOPICS OF THE TINE.
THE BUTLER PANIC IN MASSACHUSETTS,.

THE BUTLER PANIC IN MASSACHUSETTS.
As the time for holding the Republican State
Convention Massachusetts draws nigh, something
very like panic tho purest and besV Of the
old Bay State. The newspapers have less to say; per-
haps they think The Butler spector II stalking
through the higher walks ~ literature; nnd The AUaH6s
Monthly has caught sight OF the horrifyiEg vision. In
the August number OF that magazine IA an editorial
article, in which philosophy and TepidaIon arc .uri-
ously mingled. The writer recalls what are Known a.
tho uncertainties OF politics, but points out that
the Vaccinations concerning Mr. Boutvclps elec-
ton to the Senate, Mr. Richardsons nOmi-
nation 20 tho Treasury secrctaryshp, and other
parts Of scheme ending in Buffers nomination for
Governor OF Massachusetts,, have an been fulfilled Il
evidently suspects that the grand finale Is inevitable
and, casting about for reasons why this should not
come finds that tho internal olcers Gus
tomhouses, the dstrctatOrnoyships oil but parts
OF one stupendous whole" Tho Administration b, Tho
gure-head. II Ia this machinery which, in Aflsachu-
setts, Gen. Butler directs; and it "a the Irresistible
force keeping this machinery In motion that renders
many people hopeless Of successfully opposing him.
They begin 10 look upon him as their fate.
After some phiosophc analysis 81 the changes which
have occurred In the social and industrial conditions OF
the population Of Massachusetts, tie days u Web
ster and hls contemporaries, The 10atc MouN'y ayeB
this fine portraturc Of Cen Butler, who is looked upon
as the fate" OF Massachusetts,:
Beginning o a lawyer Of low reputation. De worked
HIS up % the position OF strenuous I.rt aud
then converting his reputation FOR party fidelity into
capital he placed 40 the dpOsa or tho party % which
he the foe Then culstiug DO the war, and
DISTINGUISHING himself FOR his administration OF cap
ured city he made o; this reputation 60 gain f0r
himself the command Of other military expeditions, in
which he succeeded in burlesquing every operation ~
war At the return OF peace DO got himself elected
member Of Congress, and has since then advocated
every scheme Of plumber which hlg or any Oue DO gc
has been rho passage Of act securing for these ser
vices the Of his salary. lie IS neither mo
orator a sgilful legislator None o. his political
schemes yet come 10 anything Of importance;
but with each new failure his power L.s increased.
while his wealth already places him beyond at reach ~
disaster. 6 has always displayed the utmost contempt
even for Tho appearance Of dccelCy, and has aNDW
himself almost In breath rcfOrncr anu cynical
skcpic as 20 any attempts at reform.
The conclusion Of tho whole matter Is that there arD
many people who arc unable 70 believe that Butler
would make a bad Governors others think him smart
man and wish him well; others resign tbeMsYcs 70 hA
election az fatal and fixed thing, and number of de-
luded people chiefly Prohb.tOnsts, Labor keiOImers,
AID Suffrage RcfOrmcrs think II Cen. Butler WOui
pledge himself 70 a furtheruce OF their designs, As
fitness for the GOycruOr5hp in other respects would ba
a matter Of little Consequence" II must De confessed
that the picture not cheerful and the writer looks 1t
more and possible calauites 10 come, az thus;
what Buffers Judicial appointments would he u Is NOT
difficult TO imagine With constantly 0tttr.ltihs
ami easily managed l.. 1s'aurc, threatened Judiciary
the support or the Administrator ana iat-e ana ~
rOrant waCcscarnius population az the LlDiIa.c itp
it0ry Of political power II certainly would De easy Tor
tine Executive make himself master VI the SITUATION
and make absolutely sure OF hs next move, Wlae'eE