The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-03-31

tempting to control the action of state con-
vention} as to state officers for fifteen years
Now, i have no more doubt ofthetruth ofthat
than have of the other. Therefore it seems
all the more singular that you should have
been weak enough to be '''crowded' into a
state canvass this year. You also tell me:
at Is rumored that you propose to war on
all who have been agaiIlssG your nomina-
fion." By no means, Mr.. Senator. Every
body has right to his preference, and my
wonder has been that so many seemed to
prefer my nomination. certainly will not
war upon any man who honestly believed
that my nomination would be hostile to the
best interests of the commonwealth and the
republican party" for opposing it. On the con-
trary, respect and honor all such men; for
am sure that, If they had believed and
said precisely the opposite many times. they
would have voted for me and would not
have been crowded" out of it, or at least
they would have remained neutral, es-
pecially If they had taken no part in state
politics "for fifteen years." Again you say:
at is for you and your friends to determine
what my [yourl relations shall be-" am
obliged to your for the permission, and hope
that my friends will be duly grateful.
SHALL DETERMINE WHAT MY RELATIONS
SHALL BE.
They shall.be plain, straitforward, frank
land not double), with all men and parties.
Your next sentence surprises me more than
all which proceeds. 1t begins in these
words: "Now, general, am going to say
what think" Is it possible that you have
been saying what you did not think, in the
two pages of your note. especially when YOU
began it by saying II propose to write few
plain words? Don't you ever think plain
words? The reason you next give for ''go-
curious. You write: sit is none of
my business, but eI say it be-
cause think it." Do you mean tnat Won
only say what you think about what is none
of your business? Am so to understand
you? Again you write: "But say it be-
cause think it, but have no feeling but a
wish for your success. If you had made
few speeches, temperate and kindly, full of
devotion to the republican cause, and to
reform the abuses in the party. you would
have been nominated" Now guess I'M
derstand YOU If chad made a few tenn
perate and kindly speeches." Kindly to-
waid whom? My revilers and slanderers?
OF whom else did / speak unkindly? But
passing that. then it depended upon kindly
speeches full of devotion to the republican
party, whether my nomination was "self-
degradation" and "tended to force a RIM
ture upon republicans" whatever horrible
disease that may be), and was "hostile to the
best interests of the commonwealth and
the republican party'' or not. 1t is
evident from your letter that you think
YOUR STRONG POINT
is to give advice. The remainder of your
letter does not require so careful analysis to
comprehend it. because it is filled with good
advice to me, which appreciate highly, but
which may all be summed up in the words
of the copy-book: "Be virtuous and you will
be happy" hope l am. truly grateful for
your good advice as to the manner in which
l ought to conduct my political future, be-
cause to a weak, young and rising man it
would be quite invaluable; for no man has
known how to make so little go so far
in politics as yourself No man
who had so little to manage, 1
agree could have done better than you, and
your advice in like case would be price
less. But one has to till a potato patch and
a prairie on such different principles that
the husbandry OF one scarcely fits the other:
and. therefore, 1 cannot emulate your course,
brilliant as it has been; L cannot join
church to get the votes Of the religious peo-
pie. l cannot profess temperance to get the
support of the temperance men. 1 would
not join know-nothing lodge, and take an
oath to prosecute foreigners, to be elected
United States senator, howevef exalted that
elevation might seem to me. L cannot
be s" all things to all men to
gain some" / must remain plain,
blunt man, and must speak right out the
things that do know. You will see, there
lore, my uedr MI. Se1dIOr, now very mucn
appreciate your advice and example, and
the motives which actuate you; and the i'm
possibility of my emulating them, even at
an humble distance. 1 really cannot do it.
ought so to do, 1 suppose, in order to sue
coed that is, if my nature had been so made
up as to be able to do it. But you really
must excuse me, | cannot. There can never
be but one Henry Wilson. I am, my dear
senator, with the greatest respect for your
position. Yours truly,
BENJAMIN f. BUTLER.