Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-10-31
BUTLER AND THE GRAND ARMY,
u ny the General Refused to- Become
a Member of the Organization.
Nezy FORK Sun

In Lowell there is Grand Army pos
with the title 'B. F. Butler, post No. IL.
1t was organized in 1868, and has mem
bership of over $50. When it was organ
lied, it was confidently expected that Gen
Butler would become a member, yet h
did not. He has been asked probably
hundreds, if not thousands of times, why
he did not join, and his answer invariably
has been to assure the inquirer that hi
heart was all right.
About two months ago, B. F. Bltlel
post moved into new quarters, and Gen
Butler made an address, in which he eulo
gized the Grand Army. Afterward, two
members of the Grand Army called OF
the General at his residence in Belvidere
one OF the suburbs of the city, and usec
every argument to induce him to join The
post, but they were unsuccessful. Finally
they asked him for the reason of his re-
fnsal, and his reply was substantially al
follows:
II have no faith in secret societies." be
said, 81 lost confidence in them when
was in command at New Orleans. had
issued proclamation forbidding all Sc
cret conferences among citizens, for they
were merely meetings of conspirators
l had succeeded in tclerable degree il
abulishing many of the meetings, al
though not without the application Of
strong meas ures, when l received infor1na
ton That the members of a lodge OF Free.
masons, under the guise of ordinary meet
ings, were conspiring to do harm to the
government. I am Freemason myself
and one evening when knew the con
spirators were going to hold meeting, ]
Ecast aside my uniform, donned a
villains, and presented myself at tho por-
tails OF the lodge I Knocked, and gave
the proper passwords and signs. Adlnis-
sion could not be refused, and I entered
and took seat. was probably the
most familiar and the most talked Of per-
sonage in New Orleans at the time, AMI ]
could plainly see that my presence was
causing a sensation. When the good OF
the order was called, arose and said
Brethren, l have positive proof that you
have been holding meetings to devise
plans to iniure my government and my
self. I assure you as brother Mason, !
have the kindliest feelings towards you
and yours, but warn you that you must
hold meetings for no such purposes in the
future" ~
Then addressing his callers, Gen. But
Ter said: Il reasoned with the members,
and told them that the order of Masonry
was not instituted for Matching conspira-
cies. l boldly expressed the utmost alb
florence of their conduct, and firmly but
kindly gave them proper warning.
Some of them expressed regret at their
course, and declared that they would not
conspire further. I never heard df
another Masonic conspiracy while was
in New Orleans. But when I left that
lodge room, it was with sad and heavy
heart, and I made a solemn resolution
that if the high aims of secret societies
could be thus perverted, would never
enter the portals Of one again, and have
kept that resolution; although more than
twenty years have passed. That, gentle
men, is the reason why I have never
Joined the Grand Army"
The visitors were very much impressed
by the Generals narrative. After mo-
ment of silence, Gen. Butler sprang sud-
denly to his feet, and exclaimed: II will
break my resolution. I will sign an ap-
plication for admission to the Grand
Army"