The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-07-09
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Remarks of MIR. Butler.
Before the Convention of Southern
Rights Association.

Before the Convention OF Southern
Rights Association.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN:
This is an occasion that has a5socia-
ted with it in its probable consc,
quences grave responsibilities such
as have intensely engaged and
heavily oppressed my mind.
The highest cXcrtion of human
wisdom is to make good government.
70 change established institutions
'sith a view Of substituting others III
their place, requires bol,!ucss. fore,
sight and deliberate design Whilst
impulsye enthusiasm may be well re.
garden as ia Motive ag.S.n ana lil-
u wise csmlnt in such . toninncturc,
it ought not TO assume !l.o tone Of
gproscripuvo irnnotioncc
lndeaa. thosa who hare ;iie control
/, sef Se fSif.1s2s Should "a tieHy0r ta, male *
asi asSo65itiata wifiS ths S!iGt{.tas :
juigmcnt aud experience. The feel
ings which [ see here manifested, do
honor to the hearts Of those who en-
tcrtain and express them. They
spring from the hearts of intelligent
frcemcn, who, knowing their rights,
are willing to make any sacrifice to
maintain them. In taking counsel
from the highest impulses of their
nature, they are impatient at any
suggestion that mi iSht interfere with
their free indulgence. The vcncra-
bic Chcvcs- who has been regarded
as an adviser Of both wisdom and
couraSe-has presented to you a
communication well calculated to ar.
rest your attention. 1t is one that
will command, | am sure, throughout
the Southern States, a profound re.
spcct. Yet / have seen that paper
meet with the impaticncc of the great
and almost uncompromising excite
ment which prevails here; and even
with some who have, no donbt, taken
their heat from the fires that were
kindled by his bold and commanding
eloquence. Under such intimatious,
| might we'll pause in giving you my
counscls.
We arc gentlemen, in crisis that
calls upon every one, especially every
man who has accepted seat in this
Convention, to do his duty; and to
give you the conviction of his dclib-
crate judgment. No man should
avoid responsibility, by taking refuge
in watchful silence and prudent ncu-
trality.
Many have thought that my Official
position would have allowed nc to re.
main away and take advantage of the
current. / have been summoned by
my fellow-citizcns to minglc in the
current, and help to guide it, or be
overwhelmed by its violence. | cn.-
bark with those who have q common
destiny with nc. The fate of the
people Of South Carolina shall be my
fate let what may come, / Shall
stand or fall with South Carolina, the
fond mother of my birth and my af
fcctions. In the advice and counsels
that l may give, am willing, before
the tribunal Of an impartial history,
to abide by the Judgment Of my
countrymcn.
1t has been my fate, for the last
five years, to take. as your reprcscn-
tativc, a responsible part in the Ma
tional Councils of the Confcderacy.
| have been made to feel the expo.
sure Of struggling and isolated mi
nority to an arrogant majority, who,
feeling tho vulgar strength Of self
sustaining numbers, have rcsorted to
all the machinery of q taunting au
dience and sordid press to put un-
der the ban the State whose repro
sentative ! was. ] have always had