Daily Republican., 1882-11-17
Hen BnlIeFism.

benjamin II DuLAoL Los poSSAO S
Of the most striking characters In Amer
lean history and judging from his past
success his political career has not yet
reached the zenith of his ambition
There is now not the least doubt but be |
will be one of tho leading candidates for
the Democratic nomination for thel
Presidency, and in the face of his past
success, who will not say that he is rs
likely as not to carry off the prize? He
has been On every side of politics and
no matter what party he attaches him
self he Immediately takes front
seat. Our first recollection of him in poll
tics was in 1859, when the dark clouds
OF war were gathering over the country
he was the regular Democratic candi'
data for Governor of Massachusetts
against General N. p. Banks, receiving
50. coo votes to IS, 900 for Banks. This
was his first lay out. In 1860 we find
him down at the Democratic Nationa.
Convention at Charleston voting some
thirty times for JEFF. Davis 10 be the
Democratic candidate for President.
That same year, Butler became the
Breckenridge secession candidate for
Governor, but he got into bad company
this time and only received 5000 votes
to 1O4, COO for the Republican candidate;
35 900 for the Douglass candidate and
% 900 for the Bell and Everett candi-
date. Lincoln being elected President,
the South seeded early in 1861 when
Butler was the first to offer his services
to the Government and though moi hav-
ing any military education he became
a General and at once put down ths
rebels OF Baltimore. During the war
Butler was always doing something to
attract attention end alW ays succeeded
In worr ying the rebels into such state
of madness that his old friend JEFF
Davis offered reward for his head. The
war being over, in 1866 the Republicans
elected Ben to Congress, four times In
succession, but in 1874 he was defeated
His ambition alone being . Congress-
man was to be Governor of MAsSachu-
sets, and he was candidate for the
Republican nomination for that office
in 1871 and 1873, bat was defeated.
Failing in his ambition to be Governor
he kept fast hold of the Congressional
seat. Being defeated for Congress In
his old district he removed into the
Lowell district in 1876 and was elected
from that district.
In 1873 he determined to make anOth
or dash for the Governorship and hav
ing been repeatedly defeated by thu
Republicans he made up party Of hi
Iown and decided TO run as an Inde
pendent Butler candidate. He frs
secured the GreenbaCk nomination
Next the Democratic State convention
met at Worcester TO which quite mum
ber of Butler delegates had been elect
ed. The Butler delegates determined
that Butter should be nominated, wen
c to Worcester the day before and find
D ing the old line Democrats In posses
=, sion of the State committee and hostil
e to Butler, stole q march on the regular
by procuring ladder and enterin
: Mechanics Hall organized by electln
It Richard s. Spofford, Jr., as presiden
4 and the committee with hurrah nom
t mated Butler. TIE old liners nom
It mated Judge Abbott and the Republ
Vt cans Thomas Talbot. The result wa
n that Talbot got 1874. .725, Butler 1O9, 4SI
and Abbott 10, 162, leaving Butler G5
= 300 short of an election. In 1879 Butle
y continued his march upon the Cove
d nors Office hrst getting the nom
10 ination of the Greenback- Labor party
e Next be got the nomination of the Bu
n Ter Democrats, and lastly OF a CONVEX
q ton of so. called Independent Republ
It cans. The Republicans nominate
s, John D. Long and the straight-ou
= nominated John Quincy Adams. Agai
1t Butler was defeated, receiving 1O9, l.
Of votes to 122, ,751 for Long, and 1888 fl
8, Adams. After a resting spell Butl
10 commenced another movement Al
. marched on the enemy's works thi
70 time capturing them and securing Il
At long sought jewel. OF course he wi
bt 70 shape his course as to bs re-eleCtt
- next year and then will commence h
III moveme ents to secure the Democrat
ct nomination fer the Presidency. In Il
lg face of his past career who will 81
. that ha will not succeed