The republic., 1851-04-17
south Caroline.

We alluded yesterday to the recent speech
OF Judge BUTLER at Edge6eld. before the
Southern Rights Association of that place
The Charleston Mercury is not pleased becsuse
Judge BUTLER "shrinks" from secession. II
goes rather with Mr.. RHETr and the Disunion-
lists for the independence of South Carolina.
We annex sketch Of Judge BUTLER's re-
marks from the Edgefeld .advertiser:
JUDGE BUrLxR's SPxEcH.-It will be perceived
that We have not even attempted outline of this
| speech Copious notes were taken with the inten-
ton Of giving II in full TO readers in this weeks
issue Of our paper; but: finding that the time be-.
fore u.s. independent Of other engagements, will
not suffice for preparing 1t properly, and desirous
OF subjecting our report TO the revision of the
speaker himsclf, we have thought proper to post
views of our esteemed Senator upon the exciting
| measures Of South Carolina legislation will be
looked for with much anxiety by the people Of the
state, we take the liberty OF giving, in advance,
what occurs to US AZ being the sum and substance
of them.
He is. then. clearly Of the opinion that the Fede-
raj Government is but another name for the dospot
ism of q majority--that, under it, the southern
States have been plundsred and insulted. until it
has become their duty and only road Of escape to
dissolve their connexion with 1t. We will say in
passing. that the Judge was eloquent indeed when
dwelling upon this point. He Is. without shadow
! Of doubt, the advocate, under existing circum-
stances, OF dissolution of the Union.
In reference to the action Of South Carolina, he
is convinced that secession will not be opposed by
any act Of war on the part Of the Government at
Washington. He has come TO the conclusion that
the State will be permitted to secode peaceably
This he considers by far the most formidable dan
ger that lies in path. Were war q consequence
Of our action, he would not dread the step a. much
he does. But he looks with alarm to the ndica-
ticns, which are becoming palpable, that we win
be permitted to depart without molestation. His
of evil nf aako
inactivity are based upon the dissenson which he
fears will spring up among our people from the
strong opposition Of the commercial interests in our
midst, and from the annoyances which Federal
gold may bribe surrounding States to inflict upon
US. He fears this may render action failure.
But he firmly believes that if South Carolina
united she could safely and certainly dissolve the
Union at once.
He expresses his determination To go into the
convention for the sole purpose Of sustaining that
course which shall then appear to him most advan-
with the State, whether that convention may
choose to adopt his advice not Such are his
views and feelings, according TO our understand
ing of them.
II there be nothing very definite in this brief do.
lneation, the fault is not ours. Weperceived that
the Judge was laboring under some degree of
straint imposed by his present connection with the
Federal Government. But for this, his views
might have suited majority of his hearers much
better We free to declare, faithful journal
sts that honorable Senator indicates temper
zing policy as the one towards which he leans. We
of Edgefeld sincerely respect his opinions; but
many, very many Of US, were utterly unable to re-
conce his brilliant cloquence while depicting our
wrongs, and powerful demonstration while argu-
ing the futility of hoping for any good from the
Government, with the singular conclusion he de-
duced therefrom. TH
We may safely (and we hope without thought
Of disrespect to the distinguished Senator) assert
found them. Those who had madc up their opin-
ions no sufficient reason to modify them.
Those who had not, saw nothing sufficiently
press or definite 10 induce them to take either
side. 81
There'are two facts that we adduce from the oc-
casion. One is. that the speech of Judge Butler
was, in the main, the best effort we have ever
heard from him. The other 10, that the secession
party Of Edgefeld more determined than ever.
Living, shall assert the right of FaEx Discus
a.,s Il snd should Sx no
Of God, will leave them the inheritance of FRE1
PRINcIPLEs, and the example Of manly and inde-
pendent defence of them. ."-DANIEL WsBsrER.
"It was such sentiments these that nurtured the
Wing party into existence and strength. Il will
be long before it's members can unleayn them, or
stihe the spirit which they create"
[PaEmyra Courier.
The above is the commencement (says the Buff
falo Commercial Aduertiser) Of long article at
tempting to show inconsistency between these SEN
timents and Mr.. Webstcr's recent acts. We have
noticed the same extract in other papers with
the same object in view. These sentiments Mr..
Webster, as well as the Whig party, has ever act
cd upon they are the sentiments Of the present
Administration and the governing principles of
its general action. II was in this spirit that the
Constitution Of our country was formed; and it
is to maintain them inviolate that Mr.. Webster
now seeks to preserve that Constitution against
the combined attacks of fanatics At the North
and nullifers at the South. Without law there
is no liberty-there is no I" free Discussion -
there are no "free principles" Let the Constitu.
ton be broken down, a. the Aboitionists are now
trying to break it down, and we might bid fare
we'll to all these, and prepare for snarchy, which
would be the inevitable result. MIR, Webster and
those with whom he acts are taking the only course
that can be taken to perpetuate free principles
insisting that our people shall live up to their con-
stiutional obigationsshall respect law-shall pre-
serve order-shall not trample upon the rights of
their peers in the Confederacyshallp preserveintact
that Union which was cemented by the blood and
treasure Of common ancestry. There is . class
Of heated partisans who to think that they can
have "free discussion" unless they are per-
mitted, unmolested and unrebuked. to anathe-
matise and villify every thing and everybody
that does not square with their narrow notions,
and no "free principles" unless they are suffered
with impunity to abrogate constitutions, violate
laws, raise mobs, and trample upon the rights of
others at their pleasure. Such find in Mr.. Web
ster's present position departure from the prnci-
Piles which he advocated in the extract at the head
of this article.
But the "freo principles" of republican Gov
ernment like ours are Of different character from
those of these gentlemen. They arc the essence
of that high regard for law-whcther organic or
statutory-which has been and il now the
proud characteristic of the great body of the Ame-
rican people. The kind which the "higher lsw'
advocates propose to give us in exchange il the
wild spirit of anarchy-the rule of individual pas
sion and prejudice, unregulated and unrestrained-
such as predominated during the worst period of
the French revolution. II is true, they might
shrink from that deep abyss at first. but when
the restraints of law are thrown of, there il no
stopping place until the bottom il reached--and II
matters not for what object the first step 10 taken
the spell Is broken--the rubicon il passed. and