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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
I Never Wish to Defend a Man...
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

I Never Wish to Defend a Man...

Artifact ID1969.80.1665
Object Type Cartoon Clipping
Date ca. June 1887
Medium Paper
DimensionsOverall H 13 1/2 in x W 10 3/8 in (34.3 cm x 26.4 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionCartoon removed from June 8, 1887 Puck magazine. Anti-Butler cartoon. A man (identifiable as Benjamin Franklin Butler) (“Defense”) speaks to a judge (Uncle Sam) for another man (also identifiable as Benjamin Franklin Butler) with his arm in a sling (“Fort Fisher”). Many papers (“...Butler”, “Indictment Blaine-Butler Combination”, “People vs Butler in re Fort Fisher”, “Political Tramp”, “People vs. B.F. Butler Counsel for Defendant B.F. Butler”, “Complaint General Cussedness”, “B.F.B.”, “B.F. Butler Political Tramp”, “People vs. [B.] F. Butler Demagogism”, and “Political Turncoat”) and two books (“Law”) lie on the table in front of them. A boy sits in a chair and watches, with a spear across his lap. Caption: “I Never Wish to Defend a Man Unless I Know That He Is Guilty.” Additional text at lower center: “-Gen. B. F. Butler, in his speech to the Graduates of the Boston University Law School, May 28th.”. Additional text across the top: “Puck” “What fools these Mortals be!”. Additional text at upper left: “Vol. XXI. - No. 535.”. Additional text at upper center: “New York, June 8, 1887”. Additional text at upper right: “Price, Ten Cents.”. Additional text at upper left: “Keppler & Schwarzmann, Publishers.”. Additional text at upper center: “Trade Mark Registered 1878.”. Additional text at upper right: “Puck Building. Cor. Houston & Mulberry Sts.”. Additional text at upper center: “Entered at the post office at New York and admitted for transmission through the mails at second-class rates.”. Artist signature lower right: “J. Keppler”.
Historical NoteCriticism of Butler came for a number of issues; including failure to take Fort Fisher during Civil War, switching political parties, and his support of James G. Blaine.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThis item was given to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum Collection in 1969.
Credit LineGift of Mr. Ralph E. Becker
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts to the LBJ Library (National Archives Identifier 189698391)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
Use Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
Person Referenced Benjamin Franklin Butler (United States, 1795 - 1858)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place Gifted
New York
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