Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-11-10
GRATEFUL FOR DEFEAT.
a Democratic Leader on BeBIa-
min =. ButIer's ROut.

Special 70 the O0mmefclol dazette.
WASHINGTON, November 8-The relief
which the Democrats feel over the defeat
Of Butleris we'll shown by the leader of
the Washington Post on his failure, enti-
tied Buffers Bosses.n
An unprecedentedly large vote was
thrown In Massachusetts, Tuesday, and
the verdict Of her people is that Governor
Butler shall not hold the position which
he now occupies after January next. The
result was hardly unexpected, though
there had been such tangling of old party
lines that predictions were generally
empty and unreliable declarations. There
are many details Of the election whose
significance we shall attempt to indicate
hereafter. At this writing the general
result Is all that stands out in sufficient
relief for positive conclusion. Governor
Butleris defeated with years record
behind him and his choice of campaign
methods. trs4aJ
He cannot accuse his committee and
other workers Of bad management. He
has assumed the part of absoutism with
respect 10 the manner in which his cam
paign should be conducted, and his as
sumption has not been questioned. Butler
has been Commander in Chief and Su-
preme Executive Magistrate in his own
behalf from the time he was inaugurated
Governor till his defeat Tuesday, and ke
alone is responsible for his failure TO OBJ
tain reelection. We wish to call the
attention Of Democrats TO the fact that one
plausible reason for making General But
Ter the standard bearer of the party is now
eliminated Many conceded that he was
a very poor Democrat and an unsafe
leader, but supported him upon the sim
Pile ground Of availability; he was repre-
sented to be the one man who could lead
the Democratic party of Massachusetts, 10
victory, Everything was staked upon
that one proposition. All other consider
atoms were made 10 yield TO il. He y
The votes have been counted. and the
claim is proved 10 be mere pretense
We have no quarrel with the Democrats
who for so long time supported Butler.
They believed in his availability and
were seduced by il. They had endured
much from the Republican party, and the
opportunity TO get even with II was toe
tempting TO withstand. But we ask then
in all candor II II isn't time 10 leave thii
false prophet and kindle their altar fire.
anew in The temple which they have
deserted Let them reflect upon whai
has been said and done within the pas
year, and they will see that Butler Is sim
ply the incarnation ofpolitical selhshness
caring nothing for his new friends but 4
betray them, and representing nothing 0
the dignity and nobility ofthe Democrat
ic creed, but simply the wantonness o
political aspirations for selfish ends.
Butlsyl hss Id .50 nemoornts Of Massa
chusutta into trouble, but he cannot hell
them out We trust they are manly
enough, and far seeing enough, 70 hell
Themselves. They were novor IN thu
debt Of this man. They have heapet
honors upon him that he never will repay
So far as tho result Is a condemnation O
Butlerism, our resignation Is profound
and cOnsummate. He can still maxi
trouble in. the Democratic family NJ
doubt, but he cannot enter upon his cher
ished scheme Of Tammanyizing the coun
try with the prestige Of Massachusetts be
hind him. This should be great conso
lation 10 many in an hour Of seeming
trial, for probably in all the history Of tn
parties they did never oneesuslain q NOR
blessed defeat than this. l,