The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-02-29
REMARKS OF MIR. BUTLER,
Or Snrru CAROLINA.

81, 1910, OH the Resolution of Waddy
Thompson, Jr, to amend the rules rela-
tive to the reception and disposal of
Abolition Petitions.
Mr.. BUTLER, of South Carolina rose
and said:
Mr.. SPEAKER; It has not been the hab-
it of Southern members, and particularly y
from South Carolina, to discuss the subject
now before the House. Nor, sir, do in
te:d, Oh the present occasion, to discuss
The constitutional ;,'%s'lt to hold slaves, the
mora influence u ot>:i,C""yC'. or its eXi,2d;c9-
icy. 10 Southern man will ever condc-
sccnd to debate these questions on this
floor, and if they are forced upon us, ano-
thor field must be tie arena Of discussion.
We % not fear the issue Of such discus
sion before an honest and enlightened
world. We could show that slavery was
cocvai amJst with the existence of the
human race; that it was fully recognised
under the old and new Testament dispen-
sations; and that to us it is political blcs-
sil-, rather than an evil. But, sir, no one
has a right to coercc us into these matters,
and no power on earth shall move us from
our position. We cannot, however, sit
tamely, and sec these constant, repeated
and ccaseiess at:acAsupon our Institutions.
and insults upon our characters, without
feeling indignant and excited. It's to re-
PC! charges thus reiterated that rise
1t has been a;lcdged against the South
that we arc sectional i'll our prcjudices,
and slaves 10 local opinions This allega-
ton comes with a bad grace from those
who arc bound down by prejudices the
most wiIiuiiy blind and pernicious. Saccs
to local opinions! What, ST, could induce
members Of Congress, gentlemen of intel
I:g2ncc and character to present abolition
petitions to this House, and demand their
reference to committee, but being slaves
10 local opinion? What but this could in
illcncc the course which Northern gentle
iEcn take, i'll irritating the South, without
profit to any section Of this coni3deracy!
So fur as | am Individually concerned, |
have always endoayor2d - aiIay sectional
pr2;ud;"cs, and u ioci; upon tins Un:on as
ono grca: l:;.:I!y' of brethren. J!.e gen
'';2:a2o ''""' ,-,'..",: : ,ri. al. Gl,.iiy ycrJ
asks why We Of the South arc now So ex-
cited at the prcsentment of abolition petit
tons, when history proves that they have
been presented for the last twenty-five
years. lie. sir las furnished US with an
answer. Abolition petitions, until within
the last half q dozen years, were confined
to a few ignorant, weak and misguided ia
.iitc$; bat now they have wealth, politi-
cal and local influence, talents, well organ
lied and increasing societies, and nulncr-
Gus presses devoted to their cause. Their
hancful influence is felt and exercised cvc-
~ where in the free states, and political
parties dread their opposition and court
their favor. Members here, cover before
dis ccal feeling: and what IS still worse,
aToWod a1cIit!onists are on THIS floor, the
advocates and eulog:sts Of these fanatic
inccndiar:cs. Can it be thought wondcr-
full, under these painful! reflections, that the
South should be deeply ag;tatcd! We
sIl3;...L be less than men, if we could fold
ctr arms, and patiently submit to these in
dig;i;t.2S. But, s:r, the gentleman from N.
York, Dir. Graager] says that the S 'ulh
s'2,.s 10 forget that other portions Of the
U0.oa arc 10 be heard AID respected here.
The south claims no such distinction, and
how, Ictme ask, stands the case? When
protective tariff is to be imposed, onernus
and rniust in IFS operations, who reaps the
tie b2acii!! The North. When canals
arc to be o2enol, harbors improved, roads
10 be b*i;l, aud any other cxtravagant ap-
preparations, for internal improvements,
WHO share the "spois!" The NORTH
When grca: National Bank is to be char
tcr'e:s, with capita! and i>ower to control
al! o.Acr banking institutions in the coun-
try, where isit tohc located! In the cNorth.
National legislation has always been par
tal to the north, and although the south
has deeply felt the injustice of it, she has
sought for no selfish protection; the only
protection she asks is to be let alone in the
management of her local concerns. 1t is
said that we are ultra upon the subj of
these petitions, because VIC fear the effect