The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-18
SPEECH OF
Mr. BUTLER, of South Carolina,
On the Compromise Bin, delivered in the Senate
ON 9'nestau .Jtlu g.
SPEECH OF


On the Compromise Bin, delipered in the Senate
ON Tuesday July 8.
The Senate having under consideration the
bill for the admission of California into the
Union, the establishment of Territorial Govern
ments for Utah and New Mexico, and making
proposals to Texas for the settlement Of her
northern and western boundaries
Mr. BUTLER said Mr.. President, for many
reasons approach the discussion of this sub
ject with very great reluctance. 1t has been
discussed by the ablest minds of the Senate and
the nation, and can have no hope of imparting
to it anything like the freshness Of novelty. 1t
is surrounded by great difficulty, and have no
hope that by anything can say can remove the
difficulty. But, above all, sir so tar as am con-
ccrned, it is associated with elements of strife
which are by no means agreeable to my taste
and disposition; and the very circumstances un-
der which we are now celebrating are calcula-
ted to arrest the current Of my feelings and to
control the order and aim Of my thoughts But
it is duty which lowe to my own constituents
TO give my views upon the very greatest meas
ure which has occurred during this session. GER
tainly, or perhaps at any other time; a measure
which may be regarded in some degree as the
hinge on which the destinies of this republic
may turn. We are, Mr.. President, standing up
on the threshold of an eventful and mighty flu
tlire; and, important as the measures before us
may appear to ourselves, am inclined to think
that they will have much greater Importance
attached to them in the future history Of the
country We do not see their consequences !;
but their consequences may be connected with
the issues Of life and death to diseased and
distracted republic of States.
Sir, the circumstances which surround us, and
the events which have occurred within the last
two or three years, have disclosed this fearful
fact in the history of this Government, that il
has been unable, from some cause or other, to
discharge the trusts confided to and powers
conferred upon it for think, sir, all will admit
that it was the duty of this Government to have
. given territorial governments, or some form of
. government, to the territories acquired under
the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. I say it will
be conceded by all that it was the duty Of this
| Governmental have given some form of govern.
mcnt to these territories, both by the Obliga-
| tons incident to all governments, Of taking
charge Of their own dominions and discharging
| the high trusts devolved on those governing.
' 1t has failed to do this, and we have been in
distracted counsels and have failed to fulfil the
| obligations of grave and important duties.
Mr.. President, would be glad to think that
the debate in which we are engaged could result
in any measure which could restore peace and
confidence to the different sections Of the coun-
try. Yes, sir, should leave Washington with
| Joy, if l could go to my constituents and tell
them that a measure has been passed by the
Congress of the United States upon which they
could repose with safety and honor. Will this
bill have such result fear not Sir, it is a
measure that comes before the country under
imposing auspices. 1t has the sanction of num-
bers and the authority of great names. 1t adj
dresses itself to the loyal feelings of the people
of this Union, and has the name of compro-
mise-a name that carries with it a fascination
almost irresistible, but fear, upon this occasion,
entirely delusve. Indeed the past has no en-
couragement to me. do not hesitate to say, so
far as regards the history of compromises, that
it has been one OF disaster and peril, certainly
to one portion of the Union, if not the whole.
The Constitution of the United States never
contemplated that its provisions should be sup
piled by compromises, that might be made upon
| the occasion to accommodate the views of q
mere majority. That instrument was intended
to guard something more than the rights of an
interested majority; and if it was unable to per-
form the functions contemplated and designed
by those who framed it, it carries within itself
the means of amendment. But, sir, fear that
the Constitution will be left as gem surrounded
by the excrescenses of a mere compromise, by
which it will lose all its original excellence. Ny
own deliberate opinion is, that this Union is in
danger of dissolution, by resting upon props that
have no other support than crumbling compro-
sises Sir, if the occasions so often referred to
had been met with the hardy determination
which characterized our ancestors who framed
the instrument under which we live, we would
have been in a safer condition now than if we
had yielded to the temptations of the times to
avoid the dangers which they brought with them,
and which belong to all free Governments.
| have said, sir, that this compromise comes
forth under very high sanction--that Of the
distinguished gentleman whose name and fame
are identified with compromises, and who has
advocated this one with such great ability. He,
sir, has performed n distinguished part in the
history of this country, and may be regarded as
one of the high priests officiating at the altar of
the Union. He has looked to it as the ark of
safety, and in his estimation, it is, under all cir
cumstances an object of confidence and wor-
ship. | believe it is his sincere wish to pre-
serve it from the dangers of contending fac
tons. have no desire to withhold from him
the honors properly due to his high services and
great exertions in originating and advocating
any measure that would restore peace to dis
tracted country. / hope he may live many
years to enjoy the honors and the effects of his
high reputation, and that when the sun sets
upon his eyes it may rise to bless a country
made happy, great and prosperous by his coun-
sells. But sir, | must do justice to myself by
saying that have no such belief that anything
like that will be the result of the measure. 1t
may be, Mr. President, that it is beyond the
control Of even the great compromising mind
of that great statesman; for it is perfectly in
vain for gentlemen to rise here and say that the
issues and the dangers and the situation of the
country have been over-estimatcd by those who
have different views of them. 1t is not so, sir.
say, sir, that it is far from it but if gentlemen
upon this floor, both from the North and the
South, were left free from the pressure of an
opinion which is made upon these issues, they
might be adjusted honorably and fairly, ac-
cording to the provisions of the Constitution
itself, and consistent with the safety and honor
of every part of the Union. The justice of the
Constitution might be evoked from its stifled ex-
istence, five could re-kinde the spirit that once
~ al il. H. CHI