The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-10-05
Butler and Simmons.

Butler and Simmons.
We laid before the reader Saturday morn.
ins curious statement from S. j. SIMMONS,
which was communicated 10 the Boston
Herald. We suppose no statement exposing
corruption ever made excited so little sur.
prise as this did. Nobody out of Massachu-
sets knew or cared about SIMMONS; but
everybody everywhere knew BUTLER and
knew that he had no character to lose or be
injured. Indeed, he has said the same thing
himself If SIMMONS had anything good in
the way of reputation he had more than
BUTLER had, and somebody may feel some
sympathy for him ; for BUTLER we suppose
there is no room for any feeling but that of
disgust and eXecration over this broad land.
We mean outside Of his own households;
for there is something exceedingly me-cifu
and touching in that provision of Piovi.
derce which leaves not the lowest OF his
kind entirely deprived of all human sympa-
thy ON earth.
SIMMONS is brother of the man who was
appointed by General GRANT collector of the
lUEG VI DUslVi llst ySais bVILTn vas WV
especial advocate of that SIMMONS, and it is
little curious that this SIMMONS should be-
come the bitter assailant of his brothers
best friend. Nothing short of the most i'm
placable rancor, caused by some treachery or
great injury irtllcted by BUTLER, could have
driven this SIMMONS TO this voluntary expose
of himself in exposing BUTLER. But, then,
BUTLER has the advantage in being able to
throw discredit upon the man whose testi-
mony confesses his own dishonesty and
fraud. Like MlPnlsToralLES, lie may taunt
his victim and find satisfaction in bringing
upon others the inlamy he himself is covered
with.
Is it not instructive concerning the times
in which we live that the men who have
been the bittercst enemies of the South
have been in great part proved to be the
greatest villains in the land? Who has been
more bitter against us than BUTLER! Who
has done us more harm than he? Yet, who
is more detested-more universally regarded
as dishonest man and brutal wretch? Look
at all of them, South and North. Those
who have intrigued most persistently
for our Observation-Disclosures who have
been most prominent in leading on
the forces for our humiliation by the
measures of the Government. have
been signally proved to be utterly wanting
in honor and integrity. They have labored
for their own personal advantage, never
thinking of the country. They have mis-
appropriated moneys, taken advantage OF
opportunities, and every one of them has,
through one device and another, acquired
things for bis own temporal good, while his
country has been veXed and oppressed, and
apprehension and discomfort have been
spread over the entire Union. Look at the
terriblesignS : The Credit obilier- con.
tracts-the fees for the influence of members
Of Copgress-the wasting OF the public mon
eysin the States-the issue Of fraudulent State
bonds-t the extortions of otficials-the hush
money-the wringing from the poor down
trodden and fearful citizens Of large fees to
buy release from Imprisonment and death.
Was ever country more cursed with cor
ruptiop, subornation, and official vlllainy
BuTLER is the champion villain of an army
of villains. And time has best shown that
those who loudest clamored for punishment
OF the South and the rigid persecution Of
southern men, have been the biggest rascals.
They had neither pity, fear, nor love in their
stony hearts. They knew no motive but sci.
ishness and greed.
BUTLER stands forth as the representative
man Of body of men who would disgrace
penitentiary, and are hardly fit for the infer
nal regions.