New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-03-07
Fifth District Court.
Ben Buffers Predictions.


The Washington Eeening Star has printed
| long interview with Ben Butler relative
| to the late contest in the House on the force
| bill. In speaking of the action of the Re-
publicans who opposed tho bill he says:
None of those who claim to be leaders or
organs of the House are found voting with
the Republican majority, but with the
Democratic minority. The situation and
manner in which this bill passed are pre-
cisely similar to those in 1871. when the
ku-Kux bill was passed. That was not
done except as against the protest of the
official leaders OF the House, and yet such
was the beneficent effects upon the country
that it was claimed by those same leaders on
the stump in 1872 az having been the crown
ing glory of Republican legislation, and in-
dorsed by the people precisely as this bill
will be Endorsed in 1876 l am inclined to
believe that its good effects will be seen in
the coming elections in New Hampshire and
Conn acticut. Ii not SO, it will be because the
members from Connecticut with one nOta
lie exception, voted against it. There is
another coincidence quite As remarkable.
Toe ku-klux law was passed against the
opinion of the leading Republican news
pspers, precisely rs this enforcement bill
has been. l am afraid so much time
has been allowed to be wasted in its con
sideration that there will not be Opportu-
nifty to pass it through the Senate against
what possibly may be the tactious opposi.
ton of a minority talking against time;
but even If it fails in the Senate, the
declaration by the Republican majority OF
the House will largely strengthen the
hands Of the President in using all the
power that is confded to him under the
original kH-klny law to prevent The dis
orders and erin es in some Of the Southern
,,,I; ~, Gil, 4
strated beyond cavil or DOUBT in the reports
of the committees upon the state of affairs
in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi ana
Arkansas. Indeed in nv judgment, it il
much better that the deficiency, and even
the sundry civil appropriation bill should
fail than this measure should not be adopt
ed to strengthen the hands Of the execu-
tive SD that the peace of the country may he
preserved and we may not drift into
another civil war, which, without it. seems
not only possible but imminent Not that
l believe that warts desired by the older,
clear headed and thinking men of the South,
especially those who took part in the field
in the late rebellion; but neither was war
desired nor thought of by The same class in
1860; but the hot-blooded, uneasy and
thoughtless backed by the Southern press,
which was as violent then as now, drove
that portion of the country into the war
against the better judgment of sober, wiser
men and the thinking statesmen.
In referring to the attack upon himself
Butler said:
off am not happy if is not because of
the hammering OF my opponents either in
side or outside of the party. l was very
glad to receive any abuse, either personal
or otherwise. in go good a cause, and
should have felt disappointed if had not
got it; but am sad i'll view Of the future
To NE. while l hope l am not needlessly
alarmed, there has not been darker day
since left Washington in December, 1860,
~ 20 home to Massachusetts and advise |
Governor Andrew, in view Of The im,ue- |
Giate future. TO put the militia Of Massachu- |
sets at once on war footing. as l !
then did. l saw tbs danger then from see |
irg the temper of the Southern men, not OF |
Southern statesmen. ] see it now through |
the same medium. Domestic wars are |
never planned. Ali history shows that ma |
lions drift into them against the better
Judgment of the sober ard right thinking
men OF both conteniing factions. and it lis
only my trust in an overriding Providence |
in favor OF the destiny Of this country that |
gives me substantial hope now. And vet
hope above all things that M forebodings
are unfonnded and unsubstanfial."
He thinks even If war i. avoided now it is
snre TO colne IN 1876, over the counting Of
the electoral vote. He says that in the
presidential contest OF 1876 the people will
never submit to have President elected by
the votes of the Southern States. controlled
ty hu klux and White Laaguars by in,imi-
Iatlon and force, whichever party prevails.
And" he continues, "as l believe that
force in elections ia the ruling power there,
and not the peaceful ballot, l fear the
rommotion which may arise out of
The very counting of the vote. The
means of doing it in convention of the
two Houses are so feeble and SO cnm-
Drous thar in any counting of votes where
there ia 4 substantial contest there will be
only anarchy and confusion. The contest
between Burr and j. tferscn was final, be-
cause it was an election in the House of
which has itself casting
vote. The counting of the votes of the cleo
'oral colleges, the honesty and prnprety OF
whose election are in dispute, by the House
md Senate. may be 3 very different thing.
md the only hope of peace may be that at
hat moment we shall have man OF firm
less and patriotism in the executive chair.
fully indorse all that Sheridan has done,
'ec Ause should have done the same thing
myself, only more Sc.