e president is made by the nominating conventions. The
nominee of the party having a majority becomes the president.
A breach of trust by a delegate to a nominating convention
is an act of dishonor of the same class with that to which
no presidential elector in the United States has yet stooped--
a breach of trust by an elector.

General Butler's career upon the national stage began with
the episode at Charleston. From that time until his death
he was a very conspicuous figure in the eyes of the whole
country. There are two or three public services for which
he deserves credit. They ought not to be omitted in any fair
sketch of his life and character.

First. When, in the earlier days of the Rebellion, there
was a doubt whether the Democratic Party would rally to the
support of the country, he promptly offered his services.
His example was of great importance in determining the question
whether the war of sections was also to be a war of parties.
He had a large clientage, especially among that class of Irish
Americans who were apt in Massachusetts to vote with the Democratic
Party. His conduct so far was in honorable contrast with
that of some of his influential political associates, and
that of some of the old Whigs who never got over their chagrin
at the success of the Republican Party.

Second. When the question what would be the treatment of
the negroes by the commanders of the Union army was doubtful,
and when many persons wished to conciliate the old slaveholders
in the border states by disclaiming any purpose of meddling
with the institution of slavery, General Butler made a bright
and important contribution to the discussion by declaring
the negro "contraband of war." I do not know whether this
phrase was original with him or no. It has been claimed that
he borrowed it. But he undoubtedly made it famous. This
tended somewhat to obliterate the effect of the shock caused
to the lovers of liberty by his offer to the Governor of Maryland
on the day his regiment landed at Annapolis, of his own services
and those of the forces under his command, to put down any
slave insurrection, in case the negro people should attempt
to assert their heaven-born rights.

Governor Andrew wrote to General Butler censuring his offer
of the use of the Massachusetts troops, as the first operation
of the war, to improve the security of rebels that they might
prosecute with more energy their attacks upon the Federal
gov