Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-05-29
EDGEFIELD, SC, MAY 20, 1851.
REMARKS OF MR.. BUTLER,
Before the Southern Rights Convention

REMARKS OF MR.. BUTLER,
? Before the Southern Rights Convention
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: This is
an occasion that mas associated with j: in its
probable consequences grave responsibilities
such as have intensely engaged and heavily
oppressed my mind.
The highest exer,ion of human wisdom is
to make a good government. To change cs-
t:bli>hed institutions with view of substi-
tu'ing Others in their place. requires boldness
foresight, and deliberate design. Whilst i'm
pulsive enthusiasm may be well regarded as
the motive power. and even wise element
in such & conjecture, it ought not to assume
the tore Of proscriptive impatience.
Indeed, those who have the control of
reason, should endeavor to make it IN asso-
ciatc with the dictates of Judgment and en-
perience. The feelings which | see here
manifested, do honor to the hearts of those
who entertain and express them. They spring
from the hearts Of intelligent freemen. Who
knowing their rights. are willing to maintain
them. in taking counsel from the highest
impulses of their nature, they are impatient
at any suggestion that might interfere with
their free indulgence The venerable CMEvEs,
who has been regarded as IN adviser both uf
wisdom aud c"uragc--has presented 10 you
Il communication well calculated 10 arrest
Your a;iention.-It is one liza! will command,
an sure, throughout the Southern States, a
profound respect. Yet have seer that paper
meet with The impaticnce of the great and
almost uncompromisirg excitement which
prevails here and even with some. who haze,
no doubt. taken their heat from the fires that
were kindled by his bold and commanding
eloquence. Under such iniimalions, might
we'll pause in giving you my counsels.
We are, 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 deliberate judgment. No man should
avoid responsibility by taking refuge in
watchful silence and prudent neutrality.
Many have thought that my official position
would have allowed me to remain away and
take advantage Of tie current. l have been
suumcrd oy my feIlow-ciizens to ringie in
the cu-rcn:, and help TO guide il, Or be over
whelmcd BY lis violence. embark with
those who have IL common destiny with me-
The fate of the people of South Carolina
shall be nv fltc--iel what may come, shall
stand or fall with South Carolina, the fond
mother of my birth and my affections In
the advice and counsels that may give, am
willing, before the tribunal of IN impartial
history, to abide by the judgment of my
cou9Lrymen. - - -...-;-s.-s-
It has been my fate, for the last five years,
to take, as your representative, responsible
part in the National councils of the cOnfeder-
acy. have been made to feel the exposure
Of struggling and isolated minority TO an
arrogant majority who, feeling the vulgar
strength Of sel!-su.taining numbers have re-
sorted TO all tac machinery Of 4 tauntin@
audience and i sordii press to put under the
ban the State whose representative was. /
have always had much to sustain me in trv-
ing situations. My conviction was, that
Sonth Carolina orcupied position from
which she could ionk down with the luxury
Of Scorn upon trucking parIizars and trading
politicians, who found 1t convenient 20 assail
her to subservc their selfish ends. She has
been slumhling-block to many, who, if they
dared, would have placed their trcachernus
foot upon her. say here, that had rather
encounter all the hazard of debate with fifty
Senators, or any hazards that might present
themselves out Of her limits, than differ with
single sincere friend in this assembly, rs to
any measure calculated 10 affect the dignity,
honor, and rights of our cherished Common
| wealth
am persuaded that our difference of
opinion will, in the end be more apparent
than real. may well question The policy of
a CELEBRITY that may be two much aciuated by
g.lant zeal and uncacula.ing chivalry. Ii,
with the more prudent resolution of Ulysses.
perhaps without its wisdom, may he dis
posed to restrain the impcluous courage of
Diomede, shall have none of the rcsentful
temper of Archilles. nor the grumbling censo-
riousnes Of Thirsyles. No, my counirymen,
my heart is two much in the cause you are
engaged in to suffer ME to do anything bul
what is prompted by solemn duty. 1t is
true, that the proceedings Of this body will
not have The sanction and authority of law,
but they will carry with them throughout the
Stale ali the influence which eoqucnce,
patriotism and energy can impart. They
will have committed advocates to maintain
and enforce them.
The address which has been read contains
recital OF imposing truths. arrayed with an
eloquent sternness which has commanded my
admiration and respect 1t is both truthful
aud rebuking statement of wrongs and i'm
pending daEgers to Southern institutions
Other Southern States cannot condemn it
without condemning their own resolutions
and solemn pledges. The paper has impress
ed upon it unnis akeabie marks of sincerity
and deliberate purpose. lis author or authors
are ready to stand by it, and make it good in
The true import of the terms, st; every hazard
and 10 the last extremity" B? others, it
may be differently regarded. Some who will
give it their sanction, may look upon it as a
paper of popular agitation only. Some may
even regard it as the nucleus of Sta,c par
ty, TO be used thus far, and no farther I
choose to regard it as solemn beginning,
that may result in an important end, that will
deeply affect the destinies and interest of this
country. And as my friend from ST. Johns has
said on another occasion. "We should take
no beginning without looking to its probable
end"
The proceedings contemplated will require
South Carolina 10 tread her way through a
narrow pass as Yet untrodden and unexplored.
Some are prepared to tread it with confidence
and bo'dness, and to find it's Termination by
experiment--as Suwarrow was said to have
found his enemy by the point of his bayonet.
Others, on the contrary, insist on the pru-
dence of reconnaissance before the probable