The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-09

ton Of the Union. While the first and second
resolutions express, in bola and unmistakable
language, what the people Of Kentucky believe
to be their constitutional rights, IN relation Ia
The al!engro,sing issues growing out Of the
institutions of slavery still, 10y the third reso-
luton, the convention resolves that The people
of Kentucky will abide by, and maintain, all the
late acts of Congress, known as the compromise
measures AS final settlement of all the ques-
lions embraced in those acts
Ii her opinions should be deemed extreme, it
but serves to prove how much Kentucky is ready
to yield in the spirit of compromise. Every
day's experience but serves to convince me, more
and more of the wisdom and patriotism OF the
great men who brought about those healing
measures. 1t is as though great national altar
had been erected in our midst, on which every
lover of our common country is invited to lay his
offering of peace. and to offer up his PRAYERS for
the pcrpetuity of our Union, aud the continuance
of the ineslimable blessings which we enjoy
under its protection.
The territorial question, although one of much
importance, is fortunately, from its very nature,
destined to be one Of short duration. In few
years our wild territories will al become popu-
lous States, and each State will settle within its
own borders the question of slavery by consti-
tutiona enactments that ne can question. In
the meantime, the rights, whether real or mag
mary, of the contending parties will remain I'M
impaired. Let us, then, wait on time, with the
full assurance that He whose march is tracked
by tie desolation of kingdoms and empires in
the olden East. will bring "healing in His wings"
to the young West
The fugitive slave law, with the entire South,
is one Of most vital Importance. The people Of
Kentucky are more interested in it than those of
any other State, and their delegates at Frankfort
have properly marked, with much emphasis, the
necessity Of its strict enforcement. This, we
think, we have a constitutional right to demand
of the general government. Kentucky does not
make this demand in wantonness, nor for herself
alone nor yet for the South. but for the entire
Union; for the people of Kentucky honestly
believe that upon the faithful execution of that
law, the peace, the prosperity, and the integrity
of the Union all are staked.
The compromise measures will, in all proba-
bility, be added to the Democratic platform of
lS48, as they have been endorsed by most Of
the Democratic conventions in the Union.
Whether this be done or not, every candidate for
the Office of President will stand pledged to sup
port them.
NV native State has done me the honor through
its convention, to remommend me to the favor
able consideration of the national convention, to
be held in June next. Without such recommen-
dation, | had resolved that, with my own con-
sent, my name shonld not be presented to that
body. Aching on this determination, have until
within few days past, answered none of the
many political letters received from other States,
which you will please accept as my apology for
not having replied to yours. Still, the simple
fact that we met togther on crowded steamboat
and breakfasted at a crowded hotel, where not
one word was uttered by either that might not,
for aught care, have been proclaimed in the
market place, connected with another most as
founding fact, that you and some of your polit-
,al friends have dared to commit the overt act
Of intimating your preference for myself over
other gentlemen who are presumed to occupy
precisely the same political position that | do,
nave, it seems, afforded sufficient grounds, with
certain writers for newspapers, TO charge upon
us corrupt intrigue TO secure the vote Of the
Free-soil party. do not refer to this report for
the urpose of marking it's falsity that you know
full we'll. My purpose is, point out distinctly
the course have acted upon and intend to adhere
to. have nothing to do with the hopes and
expectations that usually enter into Presiden-
tial CANVASS. They are natural, and when based
on merit and fitness, not bameable. 1t is enough
for me to say that " ill not minister to them in
the slightest degree. 1t is my wish to stand
perfectly aloof from the contest, and suffer pub
lie opinion to form itself | prize the character
of n gentleman much higher than the Office of
President.
| have now q ven you nay views briefly, but ]
trust with sufficient clearness, ard beg that you
will act precisely as you would have done had
you known them in advance.
Wsstever your course may be, am satisfied
that it will be dictated by your sense of right,
and will in no degree disturb, on my part, that
friendship which grew up between US when
school boys together, and has Travelled with us
thus far through life, and to whih had the
vanity to believe, and still believe, am indebted
for that preference to which has been assigned /:
very different and much less honorable motive
With high regard, truly your friend,
w. O. BUTLER
To y y BLAIR esO