The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-06-10

dent sossreignty among the nations OF the earth
and adverted briefly to the vain hope Of obtain
ing cooperation, after the act Of secession.
Mr.. b. gave ample evidence of his sincerity
in the cause in which he is engaged, and OF BIZ
determination to exert all the means in his
power To shield the State from the dangers
which threaten her. We forbear further com
ments upon so able al effort, as we expect g
copy of it. also for publication, and it must be read
to be appreciated. Mr.. b. having concluded fi'
remarks, the following letter was received from
his honor, A. p. Butler. responding to an invita-
ton TO attend and address the meeting on this
occasion.
A LETTER FROM SENATOR BUTLER.
SryRNLAsps. NEAR EpeEFirLp CoURr HOUSE,
May 90, 1851.
To c. W. Styles, Levi HiH, and
A. Wroy, esqrs., Hamburg, s. c.
Gentlemen: You did me the honor, yesler-
day, TO call on me in conformity with the follow
ing resolution, adopted by numerous suoscrlb-
ers for the cal. of a public meeting IN Hamburg,
on the 3ist inst, to wit That Z. W. Styles,
Levi Hill, and A. Wny, eqrs,, be appointed
committee to wait on Judge Butler, hnd deliver
the public invitation to him to attend and ad-
dress the people ON the day named 1.-The OBJ
ject Of the meeting being to CONSIDER The ques-
ton of separate secession at South Carolina
from all the other States 10 the present oon'ed-
eracy.
Allow me, gentlemen, to thank you personally
for the acceptable and polite manner IN winch
YOU acquitted Yourselves Of the duty imposed
on you--and 10 re,aru my cordial acknowledge
ments To INV s.llew-c l.iaens for the catering
compliment myGiea in their call on me to adj
dress them on the occasion Indicated.
From iniima.ioas which have received, ii is
probable may be cliled on TO address other
meetings of suilar character. From the best
view which can take of the duty, having re-
gard for my official relations TO all the people
of South Carolina. have come To the concu-
sion that il would be better that should not
mingle in such public meetings just at this time.
The subject of your meeting is one OF great
magnitude, and one which will be discussed by
the people. sincerely hope that it may be so
discussed and considered, as to lead to no IN es-
tine or party contentious in the State itself.
The crisis is one which gives to your meet
ing great dignity and solemnity. have every
reason to conclude that the result OF vour pro
ceedings will justify high opinion OF your in
telligence and patriotism.
cannot conclude this communication with
ont making a remark or two en- the great sub
ject which has occasioned your meeting.
No one who looks at the certanlies of the
mast. and the tendencies of the future, but must
regard the crisis in which we are involved with
anxious concern and socitude.
A large proportion of Southern represent
atiyes--and several State legislatures, by solemn
resolutions, have declared that Southern institu
tons are not safe in the hands of the present
federal government. They have received too
MANY stabs under the deceptive masks of COM
promises and party organizations, to look for
future security. Another question has presented
itself for consideration-would the non-slave-
holding States, by an adequate amendment Of
the Constitution, give additional or any guar
antees for the protection of Southern rights and
sectional eauaity?-the manner in which MIR.
Calhoun's limitations to prepare an amendment
Of the Constitution, was received IN Congress,
is pregnant commentary on this new subject.
Mr.. Calhoun commenced his last speech with
the following passages:
81 have, senators, believed from the iirst that
the agitation of the subject of slavery, would, il
not prevented by some timely aud effective
measure. end in dsunion Entertaining this
opinion, | have on all proper occasions en-.
deavored to call the attention of both o. the two
some measure to prevent so great disaster
but without success. The agitation HIS been
permitted to proceed with almost no attempt to
resist it, until il has reached a period when il
can no longer be disguised or denied that the
Union is in danger You have thus had forced
upon you the greatest and gravest question thai
can ever come under your considerable --llow
can the Union be preserved"
The mode of securing the Union as indicated
by that experienced statesman met with nothing
but the denunciations OF an impatient majority.
What alternative then is left to the Southern
States Nothing but the province OF taking
care of thems elves-how is that to be done!
answer by the formation of an adequate govern
ment such governments as uldinvest itself wit!
the powers and discharge the duties of apolitiea
sovereignty, among the nations OF the earth -
Boundless in resources, commercial, agricultural
and manufactures with numerous and in'elll
gent population, with statesmen OF wisdom anc
experience, and with model Of the best Consti
tution that ever was devised. The Southcr,
States have NIL the elements Of great politca
commouwenlth,-some think that South Carroll
mn. nv separate secession could exclusively as
sumo the position of an ample government for al
the purposes of national existence--therc art
comparatively very few who would act on such al
opnion. 1t would be to sever the State not
alone from the Northern States, but from
Southern allies and associates, ard in it, opera
ton, would certainly require great and destruc
tive sacrifice. To speak of no other it woul'
reonire the sacrifice of the only great sea por
city of the State. What statesman could Civ
such advice under such n junciure Of affairs as
exist at the present time!
Those who are for South Carolina moving
alone have, suppose, objects beyond her sepa
rate existence How and when she is 10 move
requires the profoundest judgment that ever ha
been excrted on her d, sinies.
Az distinguished Georgian has remarked
"South Carolina has taken proud position; hu
she should not 40 occupy it, as to exclude other
from occupying it with her" The Southern
people nre beginning to see their true condition
Issues have been made, and are now pending II
Mississippi. Alabama, and Georgia, that wer'
never distinctly presented before, and, ns Ger
tainly "a am writing, these issues will come t.
iudrment-they will be forced to Judgment
The next Presidential contest will leave many
of the great political aspirants of the Soutl