Year: 1868

| quito that came buzzing in my ear. very funny
| circumstance happened, however, IN regard to
Brick. Soon after had returned from trip
| l made to the West in 1866, statement was
published In the La Crosse Democrat to the
| elect that had commenced q suit against the


proprietor for one hundred thousand dollars
| damages. OF course saw nothing of this; but
shortly afterwards Brick Pomeroy published
| letter purporting 10 come from me, and dated
| from No. II Broadway-a place never was in,
| TO my recollection, In nay hfe-in which ]
| offered to discontinue the suit provided that
Brick would agree to stop his libellous attacks.
| A friend took the trouble to show me a copy Of
the paper containing this letter, and as it pur-
ported to bear my signature, thought it proper
to write brief communication, which pub
lished IN the Tribune, denying that had ever
written such letter. 1t occurred to me that
the thing might have been concocted as sell
upon Brick Pomroy, and the letter written as
hoax in my rame; but then l remembered that
as had never sued that person for libel or anSs
thing else, he could not have been wit
tingly taken in, and hence in my CON-
munication 1 desie mated the bogus letter
as "a forgery committed TO sustain a lle." Brick
was then on lecturiUg tour, believe, down
South, and you may imagine my establishment
when, lew days alter, read in all the papers
a sta ement teleeraphed by Brick through the
Associated Press to the effect that the Tribune
letter was the forgery and that the letter pre-
viously published by Brick was the genuine one.
| regarded this as the very omnipotence OF
lying, and so gave it up, consoling myself with
the reflection that, as the London Punch had
eubsisted for year and half on the Duke of
WelIngton's long Roman nose, and for another
year and half on Lord Brougham's inveterate
pug nose, there could be no good reason why
Brick Pomeroy and the Copperhead journalists
generally shsuld not endeavor to suosist on
defect in my eye or any other pecularity they


Reporter You see. General, that Brick Pome-
roy is now trying hts fortune at the newspaper
bus iness In this city?


General Butler. Oh yes see that; and Brick
and your Copperhead journals here are fighting
Tor the leadership OF the Five Points and Macke-
relVille Democracy. l feel much the same in
terest In that contest as the lady felt when her
husband was fighting the bear. I am perfectly


Indifferent as to which side comes out ahead.


THB CONGRESSIONAL NOMINATION..


Reporter. When will the Congressional Nomi-
mating Convention be held in your district,
General, and what do you think the prospects Of
your nomination?


General Butler. The nominating convention
meets week from tomorrow W (Monday), the 28th
inst. There IS some opposition to me, but none, l
THINK, that will be efectual. The large majority
OF the party is with me, and the opposition is
confined to a few There are some who are my
enemies '@ on personal grounds, as there always
will be in the case of all public men We cannot
satisfy every body. There are some too, who
evince disposition to oppose my nomination
on account OF my financial views, but this is
have had them wilfully misrepresented to them.
l have spoken in great many places in my dis
tIict, and have certainly found my views on
tn the financial question approved by my hearers,
so far as the delegates have been elected
in the towns, L believe they are unani.
mously in my favor. The act is, the great body of
the Republicans know that my defeat in the
nominating convention would be hailed with
shouts OF Joy by every Rebel on earth, and In
the other place where so many of them are to
be found, and do not believe that the party
will allow man to be stricken down who has
firmly and consistently done his duty through
many trying scenes and in the midst of danger.
Indeed, regard the contest in my district as a
party contest and not personal one. l have
been no holiday Republican, and feel that 1t
IS OF much more Importance to the cause
represent that should be returned to Congress
than 1t is to me as an individual. l derive
neither profit nor enjoyment from my position
at Washington, unless it can be called enjoy
ment TO do, month after mouth, the hard work
that falls to my share as o member of the House
OF Representatives.


WHAT CONGRESS WILL DO.


Reporter-Let me ask you, General. what you
think CONGRESS Will do at this session?


General Butler-Nothing will he done by Con-
another adjournment until October, so as to
hold check upon Mr.. johnson. No LEGISLATION
will be attempted l am opposed to entering
upon. legislative business at all unless some
pressing emergency should arise at the South,
of which have heard nothing up to this mo-
ment. So far as the miserable Georgia business
is concerned, that can be attended to aud set
right all in good time, and 1t will be. The only
thing that calls us together Is the danger of
leaving Andrew johnson unclaimed until after
the election. 1t is one OF the intelcities of the



nounced the President guiltless of all crimes |
and misdemeanors, and yet we are compelled to |
make a journey to Washington in our capacity |
as COngIessmen, in the midst of hotly con- |
tested campaign, In order to keep the President
on his good behaviour and to prevent any out
rageous Infraction of the laws by him. It was |
in the apprehension of just such a condition of
affairs that was so ardent an advocate of i'm. |
peachment


Reporter-Then you consider it certain that
no new laws will be passed by Congress at this
time?


General Butler er-Certainly not. wehaye laws
enough already If they could be enforced. What
Is the use OF passing laws when we cannot get
them eniorced by the Executive?


THE RESULT OF THE ELECTION


Reporter-What is your opinion, General, of
the prospects of the electionY


General Butler1Oh, Grant and .Colfsx are
certain 10 be elected. There is no doubt about
that. They will carry all the States that Lincoln
carried III 1868, except perhaps New York, aud
the Democratic nominations were made with |
view to Just such result. l know your New |
York politicians very thoroughly and l regard |
the whole trick OF Seymour's nomination as |
designed simply to secure the State of New |
York. That is more important to them than |
the Presidency, and they would rather see Sey- |
mour beaten Than not, provided that his name |
aids them the election in this State. They know |
that the whole Republican party is bitterly |
opposed to Seymour, and they would willingly |
trade him OF in order 10 carry in their State |
ticket. The electoral ticket they caie nothing |
for, except as it may afford them capital to trade
off for votes for their State candidates. Indeed
your New York leaders would not on any ac-
couLt see Seymour elected. They are after the |
State and local spos, and would not desire the |
election OF any Democratic President unless |
they could use him as they pleased You have |
some twenty five millions OF local taxation here,
and rhe handling OF that aud the State patronage |
is worth more TO your Democratic leaders than |
all the Federal DatrODa0e theV cOuld secnre