Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-06-13
Letter from Senator Butler to the
Hamburg Meeting.

GryT1EMsN:-You did me the honor yes
terdav. to call on me in conformity with thefol-
lowing resolution adopted by numerous sub.
. scribers for the call of public meeting in Ham
burq on the 3lst. inst. to-wit: That, G. W..
STYLES, Levi Hill and A.. Wray, Esqs., be ap-
pointed q committee to wait OIL Judge Butler,
and deliver the public invitation to him t. at
tend and address the people Oh the day named
the object of the meeting being to consider
the question of separate secession Of South Ca
rolina from all the other States in the present
Coniederaey.
Allow me, gentlemen, to thank you person.
ally, for the acceptable and polite manner IN
which you acquitted yourselves of the duty I'M
posed upon you,-and to return my cordial ac-
acknowledgements to my fellow-citizens for the
Aattering compliment implied in their call on
me to address them on the occasion indicated.
.. From iutimations which have received, it is
probable, may be called on to address other
meetings of similar character, from the best
view which can take of my duty, haying
regard for my official relations to all thetpeope
of South Carolina have come to the conclu-
sion that itlwould be better that should not
minsle 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
he so discussed and considered, rs to lead to
no intestine or party contentious III 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 your pro-
ceedings will justify high opinion OF your in
telligence and patriotism.
cannot conclude this communication with
out making remark or two, on the great sub.
iect, which has occasioned your meeting.
No one who looks at the certaintles CT the
past, and the tendencies Of the future, but must
regard the crisis in which we are involved with
anxious concern and solicitude.
A large proportion of Southerl representa-
tives-and several State Legislatures. by sol
emn Resolutions, have declared that Southern,
Institutions are not safe in the hands OF the pre-
sent Federal Clover 1ment. They have receiy.
ed too many stabs under the deceptive masks
of Compromises and party organizations, to
look for future security. Another question has
presented itself for consideration n,-would the
-non-slavehoidng States, BY adequate amend
ment of the constitution, give additional, or any
guarantees, for the protection of Southern
rights. and sectional equality!--Ihe manner
in which Mr. Calhoun's intimations to prepare
an amendment of the Constitution, was: receiv-
ed in Congress, is a pregnant commentary on
this new subject. go, ~, a.. ., -,
Mr.. Calhoun commenced his last speech with
the following passage :
81 have, senators, believed from the frst that
the agitation Of the subject of slavery, wonld if
not prevented by some timely and effective mea-
sure. end in disunion. Entertaining this opin-
ion, / have on all proper occasions, eildeayored.
to call the attention Of both of the two great
parties which diyide the country to adopt some
measure to prevent so great disaster, but with
out success The agitation has been permitted
TO proceed with almost no attempt to resist 1t,
until it has reached period when it can no
longer be disguised or denied that the Union is
In danger. You have thus had forced upon you
the greatest and gravest that can ever come
under your consideration--How can the Union
be preserved
The mode of securing the Union as indicated
zby that experienced Statesman met with nothing
but the denuuciatons of an impatient majority.
What alternative then is lett to the Southern
.States-N Nothing but the province OF taking
care Of thenselves,--how is that to be done
/ answer BY the formation of an adequate Gov.
ernment, such a Government as could invest IT.
self with the powers, and discharge the duties
of political sovereignty, among the nations OF
the Earth ;-Boundless in resources, CONNER
cial, agricultural, and manufactures with nu-
merous and intelligent population, with States
men Of wisdom and experience, and with mod
el Of the best Constitution that ever was devl.
sed The Southern States have all the elements
of a great Political Commonwealth some
think that South Carolina, by separate secession,
could Exclusively assume the position of an
ample government for all the purposes of ma
tional existence, there are comparatively very
few who would act on such an opinion. 1t
would be to sever the State not alone, from the
Northern States, but from Southern allies and
associates, and in its operation, would certainly
require great and destructive sacrifice. 10
speak of no other it would require the sacrifice
of the only great Sea Port City of the State,
what Statesman could give such advice under
such juncture of affairs as exists at the present
time. -. ,--,s-. -
Those who are for South Carolina moving,
alone, have, Isuppose, objects beyond her sepa-
rate existence. How aud when she is to move
requires the profoundest judgment that ever has
been exerted on her destinies.
y As distinguished Georgian has remarked,
"South Carolina has taken proud position ;
but she should not SO occupy it, as to exclude