Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-08-17
Letter of Hon. A. r. Butler.
WASHINGTON, Aug. I, 1856:

lima.
With firm belief that the Constitution of
the United States has been undermined by con
struction, and the interests of the South sacri-
feed bv compromises, can entertain no opinion
that could favor either one or the other. When
the Missouri Compromise was adopted, believe
fatal breach was made in the Constitution, and
that the elements of the dominant majority
were then introduced into this government, which
DOW assume torule the destinies of this country.
This measure had the sanction Of great names,
and pure patriots. l nevertheless think it ia
tai error. Influenced, perhaps, by lights which
time and events have shed upon its operation,
and which were not apparent to those who adop-
ted it. 1t was regarded, however, as a part of
the system of this government, fora long time
and if it had been observed in good faith, per-
haps the South ought not to have disturbed it.
But its spirit and principles have been notorious
ly disregarded and violated. With this certain
tv before me, would have been false to my
own convictions, if | had been willing to adopt
any compromise involving any concession by the
South. And am not now willing, by any opin-
ion which may express, or any course of policy
which may pursue, to give any sanction to the
Compromise measures of the last Congress.
Time has not made them more acceptable to me
than they were at the beginning.
They met with my opposition while they were
under discussion, and my protest after they were
passed, and my Judgment can never be recon-
ciled to approve them. They afford no security
to the South against the agitation of the Slavery
question That agitation is doing its work every
day-in the school-house, pulpit, halls Of Con-
gress, and in the assemblies OF the people and
State Legislatures of the -slaveholding States
not only unchecked and uncontrolled, by COM
promises and platforms, but, in every successive
state of its 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 admitting new
States into the Union according to the Consti-
tuition. Justice and candor, however, require
me to say, that California has no temptations
from interest, that can see, to be against the
South on he:doctrines of free trade, and at pre-
SENT perhaps, none on the subject of African
slavery.
With these views, it is impossible that can
take any interest in the Presidential election, so
far as to give any positive countenance to the
doctrines and mcasuSes of the compromise: and
I cannot overlook or disregard the fact that
both the candidates for the Presidency stand
upor. the compromise as part of their platform
each of the great parties having solemnly incor-
porated it into its political creed. l cannot
abandon the principles upon which based my
opposition to these measures, or approve now,
what disapproved and denounced few months
ago. Notwithstanding my personal regard for
General Scott, and my high admiration for his
military fame, am the very antipodcs of his
school of politics, and would be compelled, if he
were elected, to take an active part against his
administration if it should he conducted upon
the doctrines which he maintains, and guided by
the associates with whom he is allied. With
General Pierce, might have, politically, nearer
affinities In doctrine he is a strict construction.
ist, of the State Rights school, and so far as it
regards the South, believe he has no prejudice
or bigotry, and would do his duty to her accor-
ding to the Constitution. But both my expert
ence and observation teach me, that it is i'll vain
to look here for the reform of this government,
or to hope for the security Of the South as the
result of a Presidential election. The disease
which we would heal is radical and unless there
be applied some enforcible power to confine the
federal government within the sphere prescribed
by the Constitution, it must become an elective
despotism. In my deliberate judgement, this
enforcible power will never be found in any Chief
Magistrate that will ever be elected The row-
er to regulate commence alone, which may be
so used as to exhaust the means Of one section
to build up the prosperity of another unless con-
trolled will like Aaron's rod, swalllw up all the
rest. &.
These being my convictions, do not desire
to see South Carolina absorbed in any organi-
zation looking to a Presidential contest If she
cannot be the champion of the whole South, let
her assume the humber and more unpretendng
office of being the sentinel of her own honor and
interests, and the firm and consistent friend of
her natural allies. 1t may become her duty to
vote in the approaching Presidential election,
and if so, that duty, though dSagrceaLlc it may
be should he performed; but, in doing so, should
be sorry to see our State descend to wage an
internccine war at home. When the time to
vote shall arrive let her take choice of the alter
natives presented and vote for the candidate least
offensive to her self respect and political rrinci-
pies. Impressed as am at present, think the
State should vote the Democratic ticket, in prefer
ence to the Wing. 1t IS her duty to maintain
that this is confcdcracy Of sovereign Stacs. in