National Republican., 1877-12-03

he most hssurediy w0uld have received II
the test had come In that shape. The
Democrats fought resolutely for the mas
terry. They exhausted their tactics in the
hope OF advantage, and were confident of
success, until il became evident that the
detection of Senator CoNovER was only to
the extent Of voting for Mr.. BUTLER, but
not as caee precedent to that of Mr.. KEEL
Looa. This new and perhaps to the Demo-
Gratis unlooked-for change in the aspect Of
the pending fight threw them into some con-
fusion and they fought wild for some days,
and even up to the hour when it wasproposed
to admit KELLOGG and BUTLER simultane-
ously-Louisiana being first named in the
bond of compact. The Democrats,
being much harassed and worn
down by the prolonged struggle for mastery
showed signs of readiness to accede to any
proposition that would allow them to es-
cape without absolute defeat, and hence the
fight closed. KELLOGG and BUTLER are
both admitted to seats, and in the event
the contest turned out to be q drawn battle.
The Senate stands politically in relative
strength as II did when the battle began.
The conduct of Senator CoNovER in the
last stages Of the contest gave assurance
that when BUTLER should be admitted to q
seat his allegiance to the Democracy would
be At an end. What motives led him into
this arrangement we will not attempt to di-
vine. He had pledged his word to perform
a certain act,widely inconsistent with party
good faith, but why he had given such q
pledge is not made apparent. He may have
been controlled by considerations
but such claim must be
very strong to justify the qualification Of a
fair political record such as he has hereto
fore made on the side Of Republicanism.
His reasons for his actions are no doubt sat
isfactory to himself; but one thing Is very
certain, he cannot establish claim for
party reliability and consistency by an act
that finds no excuse or justification with
the mass of the party to which he has here
tofore acknowledged allegiance. His future
course may retrieve the confidence he has
lost in this raid against the best interests Of
the Republican party and the country. We
shall wait and sec with much anxious in
terest what the future may develop.
Senator PATTERSON was very consistent
in his recreancy. He fought steadily and
with much bravery on the wrong side. He
took occasion in his apostacy TO settle up
some old scores with Republican Senators
who had not always met with his full ap-
probation. This, however, is matter Of
his own, ,''and whether he gets the best or the
worst of this melee, it is, we presume mat
ter of very little Importance with his future
He is entirely in the hands of his new allies
and it will not take long, with his powers o.
discernmcnt, for him TO discover how littlt
he will gain at their hands as the reward o
his recreancy. They have used him to ac
complish great wrong to his country. Bu
for his vote NJ. c. BUTLER would not hav,
reached the proud distinction he nov
occupies. But for his vote the Republican
majority in the Senate would not have beei
placed in immediate jeopardy. But for hi
vote the proved leader of the Hambur
massacre would not have been permitted t
insult the American people by occupying
scat in the Senate as n peer Of such men a
THURMAN, EDMUNDs, CoNKLING, EATON
DAWES, and BAYARD, none Of whom hay
had human butchery in cold blood laid +
their charge. This allegation is mad
against BUTLER, and the proof
introduced by Senator SARGENT in hi
speech of recent date on this question ar
positive and conclusive rs to guilt. II
led the armed force that demanded til
surrender of the arms Of the military con
pany which had sought refuge from harr
in their own drill-room. He declared hi
when it was refused he ordered his force
to open fire upon the building in which tn
colored company had taken refug
and the order was obeyed. Thus came tn
Hamburg slaughter, for which, accordin
to the proofs M. c. BUTLER stands befor
his country and his God responsible. 1t
for this reason, and not because he is a Dem
ocrat, that we object to his being pcrmitte
to dishonor the Senate of the United State
by holding a seat among distinguished
pure, and honorable men. II is again.
honoring such guilt that we protest in tn
; name of humanity and civilization.
What Senator PATTERSON may do in tn
future we presume depends very muc
upon circumstances. He may visit his col
stituents for the holiday season, and he ma
not That will depend very much upo
the result of the pending case of habeas co
. pus. So long as he is held by the cou
, here, of course he cannot leave without b
ing guilty of contempt, and he should l
cautious about adding to the measure
the contempt that attaches to himself und'
existing circumstances. However, it is I
part of our present purpose to advise, thoul
we may now, as We have heretofore, admo
ish him in the interest of personal fren
ship. If he only enlisted for the BUrLI
war, now that il is ended we presume
/, , will come back to the Republican camp {
, his pay and rations, until his South Carolil
friends, whom he has served with so mu'
"a taa ~, Ia