The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-04-21

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vlrate who would have brought shame
and disgrace on the name OF Butler, but
for the blaze Of renown and honor shed
upon II by 80 many who have made u
the synonym Of some OF tho noblest
/ virtues and most chivalrio traits OF the
human and OF Irish character. comes
the fobustious and tnerclless dema.
gogue and defnmer, OF Lowell, Massa'
ebusetts, whose bypocritical eulogy 81
irish virtue. fidelity and ohivalry has
| challenged this reference.
This Ia tho Butler TO whom have do.
seen led the traits 80 striklngly displayed
by the ravager Of Wyoming and the as
aassin of Wsllenstein--th Butler who
has linked his name and that OF our
city with the infamy Of deeds OF insult,
outrage. plumber and violence against q
defenseless people. which have won
for him tho title OF Beast and Brute.
that will adhere with obliterative force
TO his name as long ~ History shall
perform her task with fidelity. When
such d man ID greeted with favor and
applause by an audience OF trne.hearted
Irishmen as the champion and eulogist
OF the noble traits and deeds OF their
race, We are as painfully impressed With
the consciousness OF tho facility with
which honest and Ingenious minds can
be deceived and betrayed, % Ia tho read
or OF sohillsr's recital Of the acts OF Hat
terry and professed devotion by which
the assassin Of Wallenstein beguiled
aud allured to his miserable end that
nc md but too ooDilding and unsuspect-
Ing hero.
It was thus that y. II. Butler. by bis
profession Of extreme devotion TO the
South and to the principles and IDEAS
upon which our civil war was fought,
managed to advance himself In the
favor OF our sectional foes, 30 ~ to oh.
tain high rewards and favor for acts OF
assassination and devastation scarcely
surpassed by those which tho British
Ministry 30 literally rewarded In the
person Of tho Connecticut Butler who
laid waste tho valley OF Wyoming. The
reception of Butler by his Connecticut
audience and tho enjoyment OF his stale
Jokes and historical narratives illustra-
tive OF Irish wit and gallantry. were not
an creditable or appropriate TO his audi
tors 40 was that given TO him by q
patriotic and brave old Trishman OF this
city, whom our older citizens remember
with 10 much veperation and affection.
We refer to Father Mullen, the founder
and 40 long the priest Of St. Patriek's
Church In this city. Butler had issued
an order that oil tho pastors OF reli-
gious denominations In this city should
offer up prayers for the President OF
the United States and for the success OF
the Union cause.
Father Mullen read this order to his
immense congregation. and In strain
OF eloquent inveetive denounced 1t as q
blasphemous and ungodly attempt to
Interfere with conscience and IN au-
thority which could only look on such
human presumption 40 the mere wrig-
Cling Of u worm OF the dust.
These remarks were reported to But
ler, with the additional charge that
Father Mullen had refused Christian
burial In ST. patriek's Cemetery to the
dead of Buffers army.
The father was thereupon arrested
and brought before Butler. He was a
brave old man, had been soldier and
sailor. and possessed not only an un-
daunted valor and fine presence, but was
also tho possessor Of q remarkably
ready wit and pungent sarcasm.
'Sir," exclaimed Butler to the old
priest, grasping his Colts revolver
which always lay on the table before
him, II have heard Of your foul and
traitorous language, and have a great
mind to send you to the gallows."
Il should then only suffer the fate Of
him of whom ] am only tho humble
follower and priest, who was In like
manner and by a worthy predecessor In
tho position you have assumed. con-
demned to "a like penalty for Il like Of
fense."
But, sir. further hear you have re-
fased to afford Christian burial to my
dead soldiers OF your faith"
"Sir. that Is not true. l would cheer
fully afford funeral rites and burial to
your whole army"
Butler abandoned the contest and dis
missed the old priest with the fercest
imprecation and in a towering rage.
It is hardly strange that we do not
perceive in his recital Of the brave
deeds Of Irishmen in our civil war, the
most remote allusion to this incident
and illustration Of Irish bravery and wit,
which must certainly have made deep
impression on his memory.
DANIEL CLAhK'S CLAIM NO. 1Of.