New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-16
A DENIAL FROM GOVERNOR BUTLER

He SAYS MR.. WEED HAS MIsREpRFSENrED HIS
ACTION IN THE CHARLESTON CONVENTION OF
1860.
BosrON, Aug. 15.-In the autobiography
OF the Thurow Weed there Is passage In which Mr.
Weed referring conversation with the late James
Gordon Bennett early during the war, says then
reverted TO the Democratic National Convention oil
1860 startling Mr. Bennett with the assumption that
that convention deliberately demorazed by It's lead
ers for the purpose OF throwing the Government into our
hands and furnishing preeIt desired for seces-
sion I claimed tina, the harmonious nomination OF an
available candidate would have insured the success OF
tho Democratic ticket, but that the convention was
broken up by leading Southern men, into whose hands
General Butler aud Caleb Cushing played. Two Dem
ocratc candidates for President placed In the ncd
with the knowledge and for the pupose OF giving the
election to Mr.. Lincoln. and then, before word was
spoken or an performed by the incoming Admins
trAtou predetermined course OF secession and rebel
lion was entered upon"
In long interview published in The Herald to-day.
Governor Butler says OF the above quotation "There
is not a word OF truth in It, On the contrary. made
speech at the Charleston Convention acted the
Committee on Resolutions and made u report OF my
own Independent OF what termed the majority
and minority reports. The committee WAS composed
OF thirty three memters Sixteen favored the ideas
OF the Southern or Breckenridge faction. and many
more favored the ideas ofthc Douglas
the former known AS the majority, and was sup
ported by the members from California aud Oregon
The report Of the DOughs men known rs the miuor
y. was the odd man. and In my report favored the
adoption OF the old platform adopted 10y party at
Cincinnati in 1886. his for the sake Of harmony
and for the sake OF peace and unity. My report was
adopted finally by the convention 10y vote OF go TO 40
The assertion Of Air. Weed Is ony an argument Why.
WAS not acquainted with him a all until 1861 and yet
he offered what might consider facts ela
tive to events that pred before my acquaintance
with him. IL not the slavery question that broke
IN convention. The South Carolina delegation went
ont before sny ball citing began. south Carolina went
out because patOrnOi the majority OF The committee
was not ado pied which denied Congress the power ad
init slavery the Territories shch uigl In time desire
To become free States In the conYen-
ton tho majority adhered TO Their de-
nand for slal code for the Territories and pro-
lection the slave trade The minority adhered 10 The
resolution framed by Mr.. Douglas which left all ques-
relative slavery IN tho Territories To the decision
oil the Supreme Court The majority and minority re-
ports both agreed the Cincinnati PLATFORM hut differed
the resolutions which each proposed IN addition
that termed by the press pure and simple for
some Time afterward."
Governor Butler then refers to his speeches al Charles
ton an Baltimore Ia show That he WORKED Tor harmony
in tina party and against reopenng Tie African slave
trade voted seven tmss,' lie says, Tor douglas,
and the sake OF harmony aud unity NJ the party AS
well AS the country then voted Tor Jen Davis lie was
not candidate In the convention, but took HIM up he
cause felt that by nominating truly representative
man from the south all trouble would De aNcrted. on
the strength OF this principle voted for him hfyseycn
times and the fact that he representative man OF
the South has been sufficiently proven since"