The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-03-07
General Butler as Leader Of the House.

General Butler as Leader of the House.
Since the triumph of Butler in securing
the confirmation of Simmons as Collector
of the port of Boston, over the opposition
of both Senators from that State, and
making humiliating spectacle of Senator
Boutwell, on that occasion, he has boldly
assumed the position of leader of the
House. The audacity of the man, his
fertility in resources and expedients, his
evident ability in brain power, confound
and astonish those who watch his move
ments without enlistng their sympathies.
Chief among salary grabbers, and leader
of the franking privilege raiders, he nat
urally is the very beau ideal of partisan
of that class of political adventures who
depredate on the treasury and put up cor
rupt jobs. The skill, ready wit and ad
dress of this class of politicians, are pow
erful elements to achieve success and
bring them to the surface. But it is only
guerrilla warfare such troops wage, and
as long as fortune smiles on their efforts
while acting with their chosen party for
the time being, they are vigilant and en-
terprising allies, because their gains are
great; but fortune does not generally
keep company long at a time with adven-
turers, and as soon as the first adverse
wind begins to blow they are up and away
to offer their free lances to their old
enemies.
General Butler is good halter, and a
man of an excellent memory. He has not
forgotten the dreadful humiliation of Fort
Fisher, which General Grant put upon
him; nevertheless it has been his most
deliberate purpose to court the friendship
of General Grants Administration ever
since Massachusetts, honored him with a
seat in Congress. Steadily and systemat-
ically he has pursued the one object reach
ing the leadership of the House, as the
champion of the Administration. This he
has most triumphantly accomplished in
securing, first the appointment of Sim
mons as Collector of the port of Boston,
by the President, and then engineering
his confirmation through the Senate in
opposition to both Senators from the old
Bay State. This achievement is without
precedent, it is said, in our history. No
one who has formed an opinion on the
subject will assert that Butler has the
sympathy of the great mass of the Repub-
lican party which constitute its colossal
moral power, and who control the party
and the nation when the emergency arises
to put that force in motion.
From being bitter enemy to General
Grant, Butler has silently and steadily
worked his way to the lead in the House.
and if he continues to progress IN the
same direction he will assume to shape
and control the administration. That this
would be a calamity to the President
fair fame and successful administration of
the Government, few will deny who are
not of that class of Adventures who trade
in politics, and live by plundering the
treasury. While all is gain that enters
Buffers net, General Grant and his ad-
ministration must be the sufferers in the
end, along with the integrity and true
patriotism of the country. 1t is evident
to us that Butler is acting the part OF
Mephistophees toward General Grant,
against whom he means to turn the storm
of public opinion which the former, with
the sentiments of a true adventurer and
soldier of fortune loses no opportunity
to avow he despises. General Buffers sue
cesses in his bold dashes are all personal
gains to him, while his failures do not injure
him but fall upon the party and admins
tration he assumes to act for. This is the
history of all knights Of fortune, whether
in war or in politics. Buffers fame is
made up of brilliant strokes Of diplomacy,
of sEillful political man9uvres and sur
prises, but General Grants fame is to be
secured by achievement of far different
nature. The wise administration of the
affairs of great nation arc depending
upon him. Sound craftsmanship, execu-
tive ability and sterling integrity in all his
officers are indispensable necessities to
conduct successful administration, and
such men are not suggested for appoint,
ment by the class of which Butler is SC
brilliant leader. To bring General Grant
and his administration into disgrace with
the people who give real tone and shape to
the policy of the nation, and make it al
it is of greatness before the world and, a
power among the nations, would be su
preme triumph of revenge to Butler we
have not the least doubt. His wrongs and
many Sights in the field would be richly
avenged in the cabinet and the council
To this end Butler is surely bending all o.
his efforts Will General Grant not see
before it is too late? The Congress which
suffers itself to be led, and the administra
ton whose policy and appointments arc
Cict ,ted by defender of the Credit Mobil
ier, champion of the Salary Grab, and the
unblushing abuse of the Franking privil
ege, are bound to suffer ignomy. While
Butler has nothing to lose,-his gains are
of kind which can suffer no loss-Gen
Grant has fame that is worth preserving
to keep untarnished; and the nation may
be brought to suffer immensely in it bust
ness and prosperity.
DESIGNATING THE SABBATH-A cores