"My dear Governor,—I am asked to write you a line about the law school of the New York University whose work and wants have, I understand, been brought to your attention. While the early plans of my father and his associates, Judge Kent and Mr. David Graham, Jr., were not carried out according to their full intention in its foundation, the later years of the school have been full of encouragement, and it is now prospering under good management. The class of young men who avail of its instruction is largely drawn from those students who must make their way in the profession for themselves; and the training they get is, I believe, exceptionally thorough and conscientious. I have no right to make any suggestions on the subject; but you will, I am sure, appreciate my interest in the school and my motive in saying what I have said in regard to its merits.
"Yours very truly,
"Wm. Allen Butler."
W. P. SCOTT TO TILDEN
"Personal.
"New Orleans, Sept. 16th, 1883.
"Dear Sir,—There come times in men's lives when, it matters not how carefully they have builded, how deep the structure strikes its foundations, or how critically material shall have been selected, all fail if the keystone be not placed skilfully, in season, and well.
"In these States, your sagacity, ability, firmness, and all that pertains to stamp the man as leader, is recognized to such an extent that it renders success impossible to any but yourself. The scheme of politicians may succeed in party conventions, but when candidates nominated by the party appear 'in the fierce light that beats around the throne,' the Democracy will soon find that the voters have discovered that a stronger element has been discarded than won, if you be not nominated.
"In 1880 success was impossible without your name for President, and the case applies with equal vigor at this moment. Since your resignation of its command, drift has been its policy, blunder its action.
"In '74, when nominated for Governor of your State, a Republican majority of 50,000 stared you in the face; your former efforts in the interests of reform nominated you; you had builded well.
"The 14th of September, '74, in this city, drew aside the full curtain and allowed the American people to view the workings of Republican reconstruction in the South; showed how hollow the Republican State government was, and committed the general government to the 'bayonet policy' more absolutely than ever. The people of Louisiana appealed to the nation, through the mouths of cannon, to free her of her oppressors, who were at the moment attempting to deny the right of citizens to keep and bear arms. The leader of that movement was Fred N. Ogden whom C. A. Burke is now vigorously opposing for the Governorship of this State, which nomination takes place in a few months and the election in April, '84. When the convention meets it will in all probability elect delegates to the national convention.