The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-21


which the danger that threatened has in the kindness
4 God besn averted and shall join in checking and
ukinK that sectional spirit whether sncere by pocr
al fanaca OF political, which, Ii successful, would rend
his Union asunder and destroy the ffeest and happes
which the world has seen in opn
on would ever again, should political suicide ten
lae national existence. may be permitted 10
ays without presumption, and In connexon with the OK
act from the proceedings Of the Baltimore Convention TO
1of one better entiod condolences Of his constituents
ss ssrT ,~9 'r'5 LEW. CAss.
WILLIAM d. LYLEs esq, Macon, Miss.
( Letter Of senator Butler, or south Carolina.
\ The following letter from Judge Butler. which we
COPY from the Charleston Mercury, will be read with in
terest
s.e.9s3 &.4 WASHINGTON, Aug 7, 1852
My DEAR SIR: II may be perhaps my duty, in reply to
more prominent political questions which now engage
the public mind especially they may affect the State OF
With firm belief that the constitution OF the United
States has been undermined BY construction and the m
terests Of the South sacrificed by compromises, can
entertain no opinion that could favor either one OF 'he
other When the Missouri compromise was adopted,
believe fatal breach was made IN the constitution ana
that the elements OF the dominant majority were then m
roduced into this government which now assume 10 rule
The destnies Of this country This measure had the
sanction of great names and pure patriots neveIthe-
less think il fatal error. influenced. perhaps. BY lights
GvQnt6 nave
which not apparent TO those who adopted IT, u
was regarded however ~ part Of the system OF this
government for long time and il had been observed
good faith, perhaps the South ought not TO have DIS
turbed it, But its spirit and principles have been noor
ousy disregaTded and violated With this Certainty De-
fore me- would have been false 10 my own convictions
if had been willing to adopt any compromise involving
any concession by the South; and am not now will
ling BY any opinion which may express any course
the compromise measures 81 The last Congress. Time
has not made them more acceptable 10 me than they
Were al the beginning. # a
They met with my opposition while they were under
discussion. and my protest after they passedand
my judgment never be reconciled to approve them
they afford security to the South against the agitation
OF the slavery question. That agitation is doing its work
every dayn the schoohouse. pulpit halls OF Congress-
and in Abe assemblies OF the people and State legislatures
OF the non-slayeholding States-not only unchecked
and uncontrolled, by compromises and platforms but IN
every successive state of It's aggression Is ratified and
sanctioned by them.
With regard to the admission of California, my views
upon that subject have been frequently expressed and
remain unchanged That State having been admitted
without precedent, it has opened to the majority The
power OF making and moulding States rather than ad-
hitting new States into The Union according the
s,ituon. Justice and candor, however, require me to
cay that California has no temptations iron Interest,
that see, to be against the South on the doctrines oil
free trade, and at present. perhaps, the subject
With these yes II is Impossible that can take any
interest in the presidential election, far TO give any
positive the doctrines and measures OF the
Compromise; and cannot overlook or disregard the ac
that both The CANDIDATES Tor The PRESIDENCY eano upon Inc
Compromise part Of their pztformeach OF the great
parties having solemny incorporated Il into its political
creed. | cannot abandon the principles upon which
based my opposition to these approve now
wha, dIsapproyed and denounced a few months ago
Notwithstanding my personal regard for General Scott,
and my admiration for his high military fame, am the
very anipode OF his school Of politics, and would be
compelled, il he elected, to take an active part
against his administration, should be conducted upon
the doctrines which he maintains and guided by The as
sociates with whom be is allied With General Pierce
might have politically, ainites In doctrine he
is strict consuctonist oil the State-rghts schools and
far regards the South believe he has no prejudice
bgoy, aud would do his duty 10 her according TO the
constitution But both my experience and observation
teach that is vain TO look here for the reform OF
this or 20 hope for the security Of the South as
we would heal 10 radical; and unless there be applied
enforcble power TO coDhne the federal government
within The sphere prescribed by the constitution, il
become elective despoism. In my deliberate judy
men this eniocibe power will never be found in any
Chief Magistrate that will ever be elected The power
TO regulate alone, which may be used to
exhaust The means OF one section 10 build up the pros
pery OF another, unless controlled, will, like Aarons
rod, swallow up all the rest
These being my CONVICTIONS do not desire TO see South
Carolina absorbed in any organization looking to pres
dental contest. II she cannot be the champion OF the
whole South. let her assume the humber and more I'M
pretending office OF being the sentinel OF her own honor
and interests, and the firm and consistent friend Of her
natural allies. Ii may become her duty to vote in the
approaching presidential elections and II So that duty,
though dsagreeabe IL may be, should be performed but,
In doing So should be sorry to State descend to
wage inernecne war al home. When the time to
vote shall arrive let her lake choice OF the alternatives
presented and vote for the candidate least offensive to
her selirespect and political principles. Impressed as
am at present. think the State should the demo
cratic ticket in preference TO the wing IL is her duty TO
maintain that this is conedcracy of sovereign States
instead OF consolidated empire, subject only TO the will
and wisdom OF bare majority. would not have South
Carolina 10 forget that she OF these sovereign
States, and 10 suppose herself bound conform in all
hngs to the policy Of parties in her sister southern
Staies yet think IL Is her true policy, questions OF
great aod vital interest which involve the public safety,
10 wholly isolate herself from the States with whom she
most nearly identified In The practice and observance
III this policy she may find motive and justification for
asng her vote in the approaching election for President
~ deciding upon Der she should be governed
~ those partisan feelings which too often constitute the
Elements which enter into contest like that now before
he country but by those high considerations OF patriotic
uiy and devotion TO principle to which she is indebted
or her present rank POSITION and consideration among
he States OF the Union.
Ian. dear sir, with very great respect your obedieni
eryaui, A Il. BUTLER |
Col l. w. HAYsx, Charleston, S. C.
Hon. Pierre Soule the distinguished senator from Lou.