Year: 1878




URAT pretty generally understand that we
allow our readers q very wide latitude in dis
cussing the questions Of the day, and that we
print their letters whether we concur In their
opinions OF not. Nevertheless we wish spe-
cially to dissent from the views expressed by
our brilliant Washington correspondent In
his letter In another column on the nonina-
tion Of Beast Butler by the Massachusetts
Democratic Convention. Even IL the people
OF that State were as mean as our correspond
emit represents them to be. we could not re-
ioice In the disgrace and humiliation TO which
the election Of Beast Butler to the Governor
ship Of their State would subject them. But
II our hatred Of Massachusetts were deep and
bitter enough to prompt us to wish her this
humiliation, we should revolt at the disgrace
the election Of this brute to the high Office Of
Governor Of any one of the States would cast
upon the American Union and the moekery
1t would be Of free institutions.


Massachusetts was perhaps the State
which fought the South with the
greatest bitterness during the war,
and pursued us, when conquered, with the
most ferocty and yindictiveness. But her
course toward us has not been unrelieved by
acts Of generosity which would render 1t
brutal In us to exult over the shame with
which she is threatened


The career Of Butler In New Orleans was
the most shameful in the history of civilized
countries. He robbed the people who were at
his mercy and appropriated their goods,
their family relics and treasures to himself
and officers and relatives. He abused, in
suited, oppressed and imprisoned every man
who he could not bend to. his will. He de-
famed the ladies Of New Orleans, and in
structed his officers and soldiers to treat
those Of them who declined to receive them
with cordiality as If they were women of the
town. There was no wrong he could do
helpless community that he did not do ours;
there was no insult he could impose upon
people that he did not impose upon those Of
New Orleans, and there was no measure Of
oppression bis fiendish heart and envenomed
brain could devise that he did not subject them
to-


Beast Butler is q moral monstrosity, the
energy and force of whose depravity and wick
edress have disorganized the politics Of
great State and disturbed the whole country
His distinction, his fame and influence are dis
grace to mankind; his elevation to the Gov
ernorship of Massachusetts, would be- o cal
amity to great State and to the cause OF
morality and free government everywhere
We cannot rejoice In the humiliation of any
people. Certainly we cannot rejoice In the
humiliation Of the whole country and OF our
own race.


We disagree, therefore, with our corre-
spondent On general principles we do not
wish to see q brutal wretch like Beast But
Ter, elevated In any country or community.
In his particular case we find nothing to re-
ioice in. Butler has wronged, p1undered and
oppressed our people. Boston has on several
occasions, when the people Of Louisiana were
overwhelmed by widespread and fearful ca
lamties, come generously and promptly to
their relief. The liberality of Boston went far
to relieve the misery and desolation which pre-
vailed In the alIuvial regions Of Louisiana In
1874, when the Mississippi, breaking through
the levees, swept over the fairest portions
Of the State, carrying ON It's irresistible
bosom ruin, misery and death. In
1878 the same city came to the relief OF
Memphis and Shreveport; and now her con-
tributions have largely swelled the volume Of
that mighty current of charity which has
poured into Louisiana, Mississippi and Ten
nessee, as If from the hand Of God, to relieve
the destitution and suffering of our sick and
dying. zm


No, we do not want to see Massachusetts
Inundated by the election Of Ben Butler to
her gubernatorial chair; and If the elective
system can make Governor of that common
wealth the same brute and robber that the
bayonets set over New Orleans, what is the
advantage of free government over military
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