Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-08-18
From the Charleston Mercury.
LETTER OF HON. A. P. BUTLER.

LETTER OF HON. a. P. BUTLER.
MEssRs. EDITORS: Your readers, whether
agreeable or disagrceable with the views ex-
pressed in the annexed letter, will, no doubt,
feel an interest in learning the opinions of the
writer upon the questions discussed. /, there
fore, send it to you for publication, with the
single remark that, however much many OF his
friends may differ from our Senator in the con-
struction given to the Democratic platform, or
as to the policy recommended by him the tone
and sentiment of this letter will meet warm
response in the general heart Of the people OF
South Carolina, irrespective of all past or pre-
sent differences of political opinion.
Very respectfully,
l. w. HAYNE.
WASHINGTON, Aug. I, 1852.
My DEAR SIR: 1t may be, perhaps, my duty,
in reply to your letter, to express some OF my
Opinions upon the more prominent political
Questions which now engage the public mind,
especially as they may affect the State OF South
Carolina.
With firm belief that the Constitution of
the United States has been undermined by con-
structon, and the interests of the South sacrl-
feed by compromises, | can entertain no opln-
ion that could favor either one or the other
When the Missouri Compromise was adopted,
Ibeleve fatal breach was made IN the Con-
stitution, and that the elements OF the dominant
majority were then introduced into this govern
ment, which now assume to rule the des'Ines OF
this country. This measure had the sanction
of great names, and pure patriots. neverthe-
less think it fatal error, influenced, perhaps,
by lights which time and events have shed upon
its operation, and which were not apparent to
those who adopted it. 1t was regarded, how
ever, as n part of the system OF this government
for a long time and if it had been observed IN
good faith, perhaps the South ought not TO
have disturbed it. But its spirit and principles
have been notoriousy disregarded and violated.
With this certainty before me, would have
beeh 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 opinion 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 reconcied to approve them. They afford no
security to the South against the agitation OF
THAT AGITATION is doing
halls of Congress, and in the 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 its aggression,
is ratified and sanctioned by them.
With regard to the admission Of California,
nv views upon that subject have been frequent
" 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-
mitting new States into the Union according TO
the Constitution. Justice and candor, howcv-
er. REQUIRE me to say, that California has no
temptutions from interest, that can see, to be
AGAINST the South on the doctrines of free
trade. and at present, perhaps, none on the
subject of African slavery. !.
With these views, il is impossible that can
take any interest in the Presidential election, 30
far as to give any positive countcnance to the
doctrines and measures Of the Compromise /;
and cannot overlook or disregard the fact that
both the candidates for the Presidency stand
upon the Compromise, rs q part of their plat
form-each of the great parties having solemn
ly Incorporated it into its political creed. can
not abandon the principles upon which based
nv opposition to these measures, or approve
now, what disapproved and denounced few
months ago. Notwithstanding my personal
regard for General Scott, aud my admiration
for his high military fame, am the very anti
pode of his school Of politics, and would be
compelled, if he were elected, to take an active
part against his administration, if it should be
conducted upon the doctrines which he main-
tsips, and guided by the associates with whom
he is allied. With General Pierce, | might have,
politically, nearer atiinitics In doctrine, he is Il
strict constructionist, 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 according to the Con-
stitution. But both my experience and obser-
yation teach me, that it is in vain to look here
for the reform of this government, or to hope
for the security Of the South as the result of
Presidential election. The disease which we
would heal is radical, and unless there be ap-
ulied some enforcible power to confine the
federal government within the sphere prescribed
bv the Constitution, it must become an elective
despotism. In my deliberate judgment, this
enforcible power will never be found in any
Chief Magistrate that will ever be elected.
The power to regulate commerce alone, which
NAV be so used rs to exhaust the means of one
section to build up the prosperity of another,
unless controlled, will, like Aaron's rod, swal-
low up all the rest.
These being nv convictions, do not desire
to see South Carolina absorbed in any organi-
cation looking to Presidential contest If
she cannot be the champion of the whole South,
let her assume the humber and more unpre-
tending Office of being the sentinel of her own
honor and interests, and the firm and consistent
friend of her natural allies. 1t may bccume her
duty to. vote in the approaching Presidential
election, and il so, that duty, though disagreed
bic it may be, should be performed but, in
doing so, should be sorry TO see our State
descend to wage an internecine war at home
When the time to vote shall arrive, let her take
choice of the alternative presented, and vote
for the candidate least offensive to herself re-
spect and political principles. Impressed as
am a: present. think the State should vote the
Democrat ticket. in preference TO the Wing. 1t
is her duty to maintain that this is confedera-
cy of sovereign States, instead of consoli-
dated empire, subject only to the will and wis
dom Of bare majority. I would not have
South Carolina to forget that she is one Of
these sovereign States, and to suppose herself
bound to conform, in all things, to the policy of
parties in her sister Southern States; yet
think it is her true policy, on questions of great
and vital interest, which involve the public
safety, not to wholly isolate herself from the
States with whom she is most nearly identified.
Inthe practice and observance of this policy,
she NAV find. a motive and justification for