The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-14
SHALL BEN BUTLER lead M1SsA-
CHUSETTS CIPTIVB2


BosroN. Mass, Oct. 1.-THE capital Of
the State is perturbed and erervescent. There
Is a most abnormal condition of our politics.
Trembling in contest, men srope wildly in con-
jecture- Of the future. II may be termed, In
antique legal phrase, hotch potch."
There was enough OF fermentation two weeks
ago, hut the nomination ana acceptance OF Il.
lockwood Hoar as an independent candidate
forC0nsross against Ben Batter has added to the
eethinR foam. There was abundant matter for
agitating uncertainty before this last develop
ment which adds fears TO doubts, and Intensity
Of bitterness 10 the attrition.
OF Judge Hoar l need say but little. He IL
the Malaprop Of politicians. lie never does
the right thing at the favoring time, but Ia
happy In doing the wrong ono at iDopportune
moments. In charity we must believe that
his intentions are pure, but he is most intellect
tous in blunders. With large gifts, he Is utterly
destitute OF tact, and has NJ aiaptability to
ordinary occasions, far less for those that are
critical.
Napoleon said after his flight through Prussia
following his Moscow disaster The Prusslans
will be debating tomorrow whether they ought
not to have assisted me Yesterday" Judge Hoar
had note Of warning. He well knew that cash
and Custom House persuasons were packing
convention TO nominate Butler, and that in such
field OF labor this brazen-faced adveoturer was
dangerous to encounter. Why did he not take
at the proper time his turn at the primaries,
and rally the honest constituents TO foil this
strategy and ambush2 Instead Of doing this. he
waits until by all the forms Of presentation.
Gen. Butler goes 10 the people fully endorsed by
regular convention. Now, TOO late we fear. for
his defeat, Judge Hoar Is In the fray, but wit b
all the disadvantages of being a hotter against
the statute made and provided. Young's
| tavern Is not the centre Of authority, but nest
and corner OF sedlton and instead Of stand
ing forth az the leader OF an organized army, he
Is the chieftain Of irregular partlsans and pro-
miscuous Ruerrillas. Here Butler has hi N upon
| vantage ground.
| Yet Judge Roar aud his co-workers had no
| choice. Not merely a. o candidate for Congress,
Butler also has recognition by the State Conven-
ton as a member Of It's con mittee; and thus the
| Republican organization is merged into unadul-
| terated Butlerism. Butler already makes and
unmakes the selections from other districts.
Even In the Eleventh, Robinson Ia his centurion,
| and has the breath OF his nostrls from the
lungs Of the Custom House. Indeed, every
| thing In our politics Ia now shaped by Buffers
| plastic hand, so that even Rice holds doubtful
scales Of SUCCESS IN his trembling grasp, and
With many Of bis friends following Hoar In revolt.
Yet, looking az all of this without passion
-
Judge Hoar has done anything except what was
| imposed upon him by an in1exiole necessity.
| Butler must not be permitted to be-
stride the state and smite enemies with his
mnlled nst. At no period has Massachusetts,
been in a more difficult plight. The fading
glory II her departed great men Glimmers but
sadly upon Boutwell, and Dawes, the meanest
travesties upon the dignity Of their Senatorial
chairs-fhe poor and plant tools OF master
49,.
submissive and mental. But who is this man
against whom the new crusade Is now
preached
Look at him "a q citizen and a lawyer. II
such men are to be supreme, II were bet
ter that the State should become a pande-
monium, with the arch 1end to govern II
With the espionage Of Fouche. there Is the eai
Of Dionysius for every man who traverses BIZ
path OF attempts to mar his purpose. The seal o.
confidence has no sacredness 10 him. TIL,
spoken word upon his Lip ia mere triainl
with honor and good faith. The elements tina
...'. s~si~sy sSSSsavi alv ludterlal OF bis sheer
and scods.
As politician, he caters for the lowest
strata OF the community. He not only seeks
the debased tools of his Shiny trade, but he
adds degradation to his allies, abs orbine power
in the purlieus and among the dress OF neigh
hOrhoois and communities.
HIS IScoTI rs 4 sOlllef, beyond tue bullying OF
braggart, is complete and familiar. BIZ
Bethel was 4 bloody blunder. and Fort Fisher a
boOtless detonition Of siltpetrs. His occu.
patton OF New Orleans, after its capture bl
Admiral Farragut, Is Of the dirtiest annals
Of the war. IL was an unchecked spolia.
ton and comprehensive plumber He hims 81
secreted with greed, and my brother" was
turned loose to raid and rob the people. Enough
Is known what must live In tradition without
record would bring crimson to checks OF stone.
He Stimulates courage, but Is an arrant COW.
ard \ Falstaf in pretensou be unites in his
character the mingled qualities OF Captain Bob.
adj and Bob Acres lfyou wish for personi1ca
tion OF his hneaments. seek forit 10 the cartoon
Of Leonardo da Vinci in tho picture of tho
Last supter.' Were his eyes at a right line
Of vision, you would have him breathing from
the canvas.
lgrant his ndelityt TO friends; but II is the self
isnn,ss Of his nature which knows that 1t must
own instruments. He treats his subjects as an
engineer does his machine, and feeds and cher
ishes his supporters as thu master does his OK
and his ass. for their muscle and their labor.
| Look az the bold assumption Of his custody Of
the fund OF the soldiers asylums. 1t Is all merged
into the universal Butler. Millions Of dollars. re-
ceyed aud discussed by him, and Mingled Ia
credits and debts in his own private account
with the brioe money OF MS political influence
and his retainers, 10 protect from the Furnishing
hand OF justice the pim9s and panders Ut his
forays upon revenue.
Al this moment there I. 10 question half so
vital 10 the 81 to of Nus ,-'husetts, Its honor
and good name, as u place the stamp of ig-
nominy upon the brazen forehead Of a man
who, beaten In one district changes his venue
to another, and socks for victory by every means
from which pure and noble men shrink with
disgust OF almost horror. II Is no matter
what may be the majority II the House. 1t Is
Of slignt consequence 10 the state who may DO
elected President. Butler, In his scat. will be
the fomenter 81 qiscord and tue prophet Of
hate.
His speech nj Lancaster may be dispassionately
read nv the quiet and honest citizen. 1t ia only
IT for the slums and dens Of the North End, "
and the bagnios aud the grog shops Of the haunts
OF the sailor.
Give him an election, and you Impress him
uron the policy Of the state. The Custom
House and all other branches OF Federal admin
istIation are already his. There is no more
manipulating hand there is not so potent