New-York tribune., 1873-06-18

battle was about TO be joined. and all recruits
from whatever source or of whatever charac-
ter, so they were willing to bear arms were
welcomed with joyful enthusiasm, he came
over to tho Union cause. Tricky, lucky,
and useful. he brought us much assistance
At a time when considerations OF per
sonal character and common noncSV
were 40 merged in the oVershauoWins
one of patriotism, that we almost apotheosi~ou
crime in our admiration OF regiment VI
Zouayes mado up ostentauousy VI 0"'
throats, pickpockets and thieves It was ho'
strange that Mr.. Butler was for time con,
spicuous and notable success. 10 the oiinu
courope of the book agent he united readi-
moss of invention and fertility of resource
Where others hcsitated, be dared WheIe
thew were tangled in technicalities, he cut his
way with q reckless sword-thrtst, OF over
threw his adversary with an audacious coin-
are of legal construction. lie dId goou worn
at Baltimore: he seemed to us almost III
snired when, at Fortress Monroe, he for the
first time labeled the negro " cOntraband''
and discomfited the assaiIants of the Onloh'
who marched with the Constitution III
front of them; he gave to captured new
Orleans vigorous government "hatcVoi
else it was no exhibited qualities that TIC
time seemed to call for, and that IN many
instances were admirable If there was any
thing disreputable in his military career, OF IN
his administration of civil affairs rs military
GOVERNOR we pass it by. Out of gratitude
for what he did that was good in itself ana
its consequences, we might be content to
honor him. He has been already honored
largely. For seven years past he mas Oeen
prominent in civil affairs-Onc OF the most
conspicuous figures in our politics. What does
he represeati If anything at all, 1t Is the
idea of absolute selfishness and greed and
utter disbelief in any higher motive in the
| State or people. 1t was this that led HIM 70
adopt very early tho notion OF paying
the debt in currency, and to drop IL 700
when he found to his surprise that the
people did have virtue enough to oppose
a scheme by which they could make dollar
il WAS this that led him TO champion Oakes
| Ames and act as counsel for him; to tawn
around and flatter a President he hated; to
strengthen himself by the distribution OF
patronage; to invent the Salary Grab, and un-
dertake to scoff down with cheap wit tho in
dgnant protest Of tho people; to advise the
Pacific Railroad Companies to retain candl-
date for Senator to be mixed up with all
sorts of money making contracts. and to do
all the demagoguery he has Haunted in the
nations face for six years past lie believes,
in short, in getting money and influence by
whatever means he may, and he believes the
people are no better, and act from no higher
motives than himself.
1t is such man that aspires to be Governor
of Massachusetts. Two years ago he had the
same ambition. He made such a desperate
effort for it then as extortcd the admiration
of his opponents for his Stubbornncss,
persistency, and har1ihoOd. But the
Republicans of Massachusetts had not
reached that level, though the Republicans
of his district returned him to Congress
by an overwhelming majority. Since then
they have seen frauds i'll administration COW
cred up, corruption cOndoned, bribery winked
at, perjury passed over, elections carried by
fraud and convicted repeaters pardoned,
party pledges repudiated, maladministration
continued, promised reforms denied, investiga-
tions turned into jugglery, incOmpetency and
dishonesty rewarded with official position, and
a Congress turned plunderers Doubtless Mr..
Butler thinks his time has come. We hope
so certainly. This is no straw that he pro-
poses to put on, and the patient camel is
already overloaded