ost extensive and lucrative practice in New England,
and could at that age have retired from active business with an
independent fortune.

POLITICS.

Despite his enormous and incessant labors at the bar, Mr. Butler, since
early manhood, has been a busy and eager politician, regularly for many
years attending the national conventions of the Democratic party, and
entering actively into every campaign.

Before the Rebellion he was twice elected to the Massachusetts
Legislature: once to the House in 1853, and once to the Senate in 1859;
and was a candidate for governor in 1856, receiving fifty thousand
votes, the full support of his party.

In April, 1860, Mr. Butler was a delegate to the Democratic convention
held at Charleston. There he won a national reputation. In June, at an
adjourned session of the convention, at Baltimore, Mr. Butler went out
with the delegates who were resolved to defeat the nomination of Stephen
A. Douglas. The retiring body nominated Mr. Breckinridge, of Kentucky,
for the Presidency, and Mr. Butler returned home to help his election.
It may be here stated that Mr. Breckinridge was a Southern pro-slavery
unionist. Mr. Butler was the Breckinridge candidate for the governorship
of Massachusetts, and received only six thousand votes.

In December, 1860, after the election of Abraham Lincoln was an
established fact, there was a gathering of politicians at Washington,
Mr. Butler among the rest. South Carolina had passed the ordinance of
secession, and had sent commissioners or embassadors to negotiate a
treaty with the general government. Mr. Butler told his Southern friends
that they were hastening on a war; that the North would never consent to
a disunion of the States, and that he should be among the first to offer
to fight for the Union. He counselled the administration to receive the
South Carolina commissioners, listen to their communication, arrest
them, and try them for high treason. Mr. Butler foresaw a great war, and
on his return to Massachusetts advised Governor Andrew to prepare the
militia for the event. This was quietly done by dropping those who could
not be depended upon to leave the State, and enlisting others in their
stead. Arms and clothing were also prepared. On April 15, 1861, a
telegram was received by Governor Andrew from Senator Henry Wilson
asking for troops to defend the capital. A little before five o'clock,
Mr. Butler was, trying, a case before a court in Boston, whe