The National tribune., 1893-02-02

In Congress, and as Governor of Massachu-
sets, Butler continued to be n conspicuous
character in connection with public affairs.
though one would look long and far for any
great measure he brought forward and car
red through relating to the important period
Immediately succeeding the war. He was con-
spicuous in connection with the impeachment
OF Andrew johnson, but did not specially dis
tinguish himsef. though on more than one &C.
casion what in general way was expected from
him on the dramatic line during the proceed
ings did not happen. During Buffers career
in Congress the popular conception OF him
caused people in general to expect something
startling from him. and they were not always
disappointed. He frequently made startling
statements; rather his statements were fire.
quently startling in form and manner though
they often fell short of permanent effect. In
debate be hardly ever failed to satisfy the ex-
pectaton of something characteristic. lie was
not an eloquent speaker, though an engaging
one for the moment, at least. He was not as a
rule even a first rate talker, though he would be
listened to attentively for some "Buterism he
might let fly, and those who listened were fire.
quently not disappointed. In retort to rasp-
ing observation and in repartee as rule, he
was happy in matter and manner; for exam
pie his "shoo.hy" remark in reply to Sunset
Cox on the floor of the House.
Itwas before the Supreme Court of the United
States that Butler was best known; perhaps it
may be said known at his best. Judges almost
uniformly listened. if all did not take notes,
when he spoke. His cases were generally Of an
important kind. and frequently involved large
sums. As general thing his fees were large,
though it is true that he sometimes labored
long and hard to defend a poor man with just
cause. He did many things of this kind, in
and out of his profession. This feature of But
lers life was not the least noteworthy, by any
means. In his personal bearing he was corte-
Gus, though instances are related of him when
men We're glad enough to escape from what was
sometimes more like a tempest than a sunbeam.
When he trod on toes, which he was likely to
do he did it to hurt. At times Butler needed
but fitting stature to make him the most lOrdly
of men in personal bearing. Aptness beyond
most men might be said to have been one of his
strong mental characteristics. 1t cannot be
said OF him that he was man of great learning,
outside of the law, but he had few equals as
man of ideas on topics of moment-past, pres
emit, and prospective. Not long before his death
he said TO me: Logically, it will not DO many
years before the United States will be at war;
with whom it will be there are no present lndi-
atoms. Ever since we have had national
existence we have had every 30 years war of
some kind on our hands. Neither the Indians
nor Mormons seem likely to give us serious
trouble 1t may. perhaps, be with nation
tnaL VIII lax all our resources. IL may 1HVOlVC
the Canadian question. If we are to have
Canada it will be either by treaty, conquest, or
as gift. Great Britain will hardly give Can
ada to us, seeing that the British Possessions
contain more than two.thirds of the fresh water
of the globe besides an untold extent of pOpu
lation- sustaining area. If we want Canada and
are determined to have it we will probably take
the country, but diplomacy and purchase are
the more likely means for acquiring it. Still,
an ho 1nyic nfh ictnrv @ IN fail We rn
far off from war, and am glad we are build.
ing a navy and getting ready for it as fast as
we can" Butler was an American through
and through. He was a great character in
whatever light he is viewed. Though often
criticised for his methods and sometimes for his
aims and purposes, he was never Insignificant.
He is bound still to be criticised for his acts and
for statements in his book" His place in
permanent history is yet to be determined.