New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-05
KEARYEY AND BUTLER.

OF the most impressive poliuOdi hANAuOheS "
the time, and it ought to be perpetuated by
some visible memorial. 1t might be en-
bodied in one of Rogers's groups OF statuary,
Kearney Swallowed forth in mud and But
Ter beaming in alabaster, by way OF
signifying the qualities which appertain to
each. Judged from his speech, which Is all
we have to Judge him by, distinct element
of mud percolates the spiritual ducts
of Kearney, and pervades the tex
ture of his moral constitution.
more spotless and refined medium would be
needed to typify the qualities OF his COM
panion figure. Nothing short OF alabaster
would do full justice to it, and even II it were
hung with wings they would not invade the
spirit of the composition. They would rather
prefgure the Topping eherubic appendages
which await him, and considering the variety
and versatility of his manifestations during the
last quarter of q century, his appearance on
brackets and centre tables in the character OF
n bald-headed angel, too heavy to fly,
holding out the hand of fellowship to
a political tramp, would not be likely to
astound anybody or impair his ambi-
tious prospects. He made polite and dill
gent haste to call on the great au-
tator ON his arrival in Massachusetts,,
and some partial report of their collogulngs
has been given to the public. 1t is not very
good reading. The only really pungent drop
in this puddle of political pap was contrib
uted by Butler, who suggested that the bones
of Cinnamon made excellent manure, and that
might be a partial set-oT against the neon
veniences of their residence on the Pacific slope.
This is q statesmanlike way of meeting
great question, and opposes no negation to
Kearney's theory that the best thing to do
with the Orientals is to kill them and cut of
their pigtails to furnish wigs for the
bald and deserving poor. The value OF
their bones as fertilizers would not be
diminished by taking them before the
owners had gotten through with them.
What right, in the creed of Kearney, has Chi
naman TO his bones when the Pacific soil Is so
defieientin phosphates and when suchmultitudes
of his own kith and breed are hardly able to
get whiskey enough TO keep them up to a
healthy standard of reformatory activity 2
There are some characters which can only
be measured and defined by a process of
moral triangulation, as there are some objects
which must be seen at a distance to obtain
sense of their altitude and proportions. But
Ier's metaphysical organization is too complex
and his character too reconcile 10 be
estimated by any rude or hasty pro-
cesses of observation. Il may require
the perspective of a generation or two
to reveal the perfected symmetry of his
spiritual outlines and show his finished work
unobscured by its various aud transient scat
foldings. Seen too near, his uncompleted
labors appear to have too exclusive refer
ence to the welfare and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
BENJAMIN. Benjamin seems TO be written all
over them, as the name Of Tiglath Pileser was
stamped on every brick of his palaces. Per-
hans this is not the case. IL is not easy to
define with certainty the motives which ami
| mate conduct; they are frequently obscure to
the actor himself A statesman may deem
that, like an overladeu pack-horse, he is bear
ing the burdens of the public and throwing
bricks in their cause, while the public only dis
cern in him disposition 10 hit his enemies
and Rrasp at all the high Offices within his
reach. 1t is commonly believed that General
Butler wants to be Governor of Massachu-
sets. IL has been believed from time TO time,
whenever the possibility of that cOnsumma-
ton doomed on the political horizon. If it Is
true, it is a wholesome and unreasonable
ambition. But perhaps it is not true.
1t is probable that after his long
labors he would prefer the repOse of
private life, the enjoyment of his yacht his
farm and his ample fortune, to any public
station whatsoever, and that he would only
forego this preference at the peremptory re-
quirement of the people and obedient 70 the
belief that while he could render them a use
ful service 1t was his duty TO do so.
II is likewise believed that in strik-
ing hands with Kearney with such
amazing prompitude and cordially he
wished 10 prOpitiate q disconnected and
formidable political element in the State,
to the end that it might vote for him. But it
is possible that he discerns peril in these dis
contents, and thinks that the restraint. direc-
ton aud abatement of them should be taken
in hand by clever and able persons like him
self, and not be left in those of maniacs like
Kearney Perhaps it is for this reason that be
is so ready to currycOmb all the sOcialistic
Orsons and tickle all the communistic Cali
bans and not that by his sOrcerer's spells
he would bind them to his service.
There are two ways of looking at and inter
preting human actions, even when they are
Buffers actions.
But the character OF hearney, as ulVulgeu Dy
his speech, which is all there is of HIM, re-
quires no such subtle tests or analyses. 1t lies
on the surface, as if it were tattooed upon him.
He distinctly declares himself as a Molly Ma
guire, into whose veins the virus of the Hood
lum has been injected, producing rare and
striking combination Of infection. His talk
is of murder. He wants bJndholders and other
rich people hanged. He would like to make
sausages of the Bonanza kings. All Oppressors,
which in his rude category seems 10 mean all