The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-03-26
Butler aud the Camerons.

One of the most interesting men in
national politics is NJ. c. Butler, of South
Carolina. He came of one of the Oldest
families in the Palmetto State, and his
uncle, Pierce Butler, WAS Senator in
Congress while the man Of whom I write
was boy. The uncle was very distin.
guished looking man. and WAS power
in the deliberations of our highest legis.
lative body at time when it was filed
with great men. His nephew, who has
succeeded him, occupies an equally emf
nent position in an assemblage that
hardly compares with the gathering of
intellpctus giants who sat in the Senate
chamber during the mighty events Of
1850. Those who knew his uncle say to
me that the present Senator has much Of
his self poise, fertility Of mind and in
tegri,y Of purpose. ! saw him as the
lofty sud dignified charscterof the recent
meeting OF public men in New York.
He would have strong chance for Cab
met honox were it not for the Hamburg
difficulties from which he suffers, either
justly or unjustly. so that he does not
make the best Use Of bis powers. Both
in relationship and the traditions by
which he holds his own seat in the Senate
an interesting political "reminiscences was
recalled to me by his asking affectionate.
~ after the health of General Simon
Cameron. But for An act of kindness by
Pierce Butler, which after generations
came back to bless the nephew, the
present Senator from South Carolina
might never have held seat in the Sen
ate. The circumstances occurred when
General Cameron was second time
elected United States Senator. The late
Governor Bigler was his colleague. He
made an effort to induce the Senate to
investigate the charges that Mr.. Cameron
had secured his election by bribery. He
called the matter up one day and made
speech detailing the allegations and ask
ing the Senate to take cognizsnce of
them. Pierce Butler espoused General
Oameron's cause and made speech, in
which be said. that the Senate of the
United States was not the place in which
the State of Pennsylvania, could wash its
dirty linen, and moved that the resou
lion for an investigation be rot agreed
TO. The Senate followed Buffers lead
and Cameron's title to his seat WAS con
tested. When the vote was announced
that settled the controversy. Butler
walked over to where General Cameron
sat and said:
"Now, SIMON, you ought to send me
bottle of whi.key with which to celebrate
this OCCASION"
by the life, Butler" replied Cameron,
"I'll send you barrel of tie best made
in Pennsylvania"
The liquor was sent, and ever there.
after the families of Cameron and Butler
were fast friends. It is said that time
at las: sets all things even." Nearly a
quarter of q century after this occur
renee, which has formed one Of the
singular pages of the history of this
State, the nephew of the man who did
Cameron the service knocked for admis
sion to the Senate. with contest on biz
hands. A single Republican vote would
save bis title. The father called upon
Don to repay the kindness OF Pierce
Butler to him when Governor Bigler WIS
seeking to keep him out. DON assumed
tue obligation and voted against his
party. and N. G. Butler became Sena
tor. To day the two families, differing
so widely in politics and interests, are
friendly Washington Cor.
Philads.p.io Times.