Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-04-23

SOUTH CAROLINA. 81 '.@ '
We copy the following important articles from the
Charleston Mercury OF the 18th instant:
STATE AcTloN-OuR SENATORS. We give in anoth-
er column brief account from the Edge6eld Adver-
tser, of Senator Buffers speech on Monday last 1t
will be seen that, the result OF his best observa-
ton in Washington, he is convinced there will be
no attempt coerce South Carolina that the act Of
secession does not involve the danger of civil war.
In this he precisely agrees with Mr. khe't who, on
the same day in Charleston, very clearly and strong
y sustained the same conclusion. Our Senators also
fully agree in another very important conclusion, that
an attempt on the part of the General Government to
maintain its authority over South Carolina by force,
would certainly and inevitably result in Southern
Confederacy.
that South Carolina would be suffered to 60 peacea-
bly, out OF the Union, Judge Butler somewhat shrnks
from it. He supposes that it would be the policy OF
the Federal Government to draw as broad lines as
possible between and our negh6or States, and by
every means to fix upon the character of foreign
nation. Mr.. Rhett admits that the Federal Govern
ment would have no good will to US, but maintains
that they would have but very limited power over
our relations with sister States, and he looks with
the utmost confidence to the ability of South Caro-
ma to support her sovereignty with honor, and her
dus,rial pu rsuits prosperity. He is willing trust
South Carolina alone, to maintain, on her own re-
sources, the character of an independent State.
For our part we agree with Mr. Rhett. We know
we'll that in contest of force, South Carolina could
be borne down by the other States united. But they
never can be united for such a purpose. Any seri-
ous attempt to combine their power for the object
the Confederacy. And what the direct attempt would
effect speedily, the whether by block
ade, by collecting duties off harbors, by any
system Of harassing hostility our borders, would
effect in no long time. The Federal Government will
have greater interest in keeping the peace, and OBJ
serving scrupnously all the laws of good neighbor-
hood, with Us, than we with them.
Within ourselves, then, have any reason to fear
the results Of an independent Government? We an
swer, decidedly not. South Carolina is larger than
all those Grecan States combined which filled their
and all after times with the glory of their achese
menls in war and peace. South Carolina is nearly
third larger than the entire Swiss Confederation,
which for than four centuries has maintained its
Republican institutions and sturdy independence
against the assaults Of the powerful military Govern
ments that hem it in every side. South Carolina
is larger than Belgium and Holland united-fwo
Kingdoms that maintain respectable place in the
politics of Europe.
We do not fear the consequences Of independence
South Carolina has foreign commerce greater in
proportion to her population than any people in the
world, and in the condition of her industry, and the
variety Of her productions, has substantial founda-
not fear the result Of the trial. Mercury.
JUDeE BurLER's SPEECH. 1t will be perceived
that We have not even attempted outline Of this
speech. Copious notes taken with the intention
Of giving it in full readers in this weeks issue
Of paper; but finding that the time before us, in
dependent Of other engagements, will not suffice for
it properly, and desirous Of subjecng cur
report to the revision of the speaker himself, have
thought proper to postpone its appearance. Believ-
ing, however: that the views Of esteemed Senator
upon the exciting measures of South Carolina legis-
Iation will be looked for with mnch anxiety by the
people Of the State, take the liberty of giving, in
what occurs to US as being the sum and
substance of them.
He is, then, clearly of the opinion that the Feder-
al Government is but another name for the despotism
of msjorty-,hat, under it, the Southern States
have been pnndered and insulted. until it has become
their duty and only road Of escape to dissolve their
with it. We will say, in passing. that the
Judge eloquent indeed, when dwelling upon
this point. He is, without shadow Of doubt, the
advocate. under existing circumstances, of dssolu
tion of the Union.
convinced that secession will be opposed by any
act of war On the part of the Government at WASH
ngton. He has to the conclusion that the State
will be permitted to secede peaceabiy. This he
sders BY far the most formidable danger that lies in
our path. Were war a consequence Of our action,
he looks with alarm to the indications, which be-
coming paIpable, that we will be permitted to depart
without molestation His apprehensons Of evil from
this course Of mastery inactivity based upon the
dissensions ~hich, he fears will spring up among
people from the strong opposition Of the CONNER
cia interests in our midst and from the annoyances
which Federal gold may brbe the surrounding States
to nflict upon He fears this may render our ac-
ZION failure. But he firmly believes that if South
Carolina were united she could safely and certainly
dissolve the Union at once.
He expresses his determination to 60 into the Con-
venton for the sole purpose ofsustaining that course
which shall then appear to him most advantageous
State, whether that Convention may choose to adopt
his advice or not. Such are his views and feelings,
according 10 our understanding of them.
If there be nothing very definite in this brief delin-
cation, the fault is We perceived that the
Judge was Iaboring under some degree Of restraint
imposed by his present connection with the Federal
Government. But for this, his views might have
suited majority Of his hearers much better. Weare
free Of Declare faithful journalists that honor
able Senator indicates ,emporising policy as the
one towards which he leans. We Of Edgefeld sim
cerely respect his opinions bu, many, very many Of
were utterly unable to reconcile his brilliant elo-
quence, while depicting our wrongs and powerful
demonstration while arguing the futility Of hoping
tor any good from the Government, with the singular
conclusion he deduced therefrom. ....
We may safely, and. we hope without thought Of
disrespect to the distinguished Senator, assert that
he left the audience almost precisely where he found
them. Those Who had made up their opinions saw
no sufficient reason to modify them. Those who had
not, saw nothing sufficiently express or definite 70
induce them to take either side.
There are two facts that we adduce from the occas-
ion One IS tina, the speech Of Judge Butler was in
the main the hest effort we have ever heard from
him. The other is, that the secession party Of Edge
field are more determined than ever. = ....,--- 3.
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