The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-11
wIIrxAMo. BUTLER.


for the Presidency. 1t was supposed that his
Moderate views on the subject of Slavery, and
his retirement from politics, having exempted
him from the necessity of taking any part in
the late Territorial controversy would make
him less obnoxious in the North than other
prominent men in his party.
But he was not permitted to remain in so
convenient an attitude The State Democratic
Convention of Kentucky that put him in nomi-
nation, also passed strong resolutions in favor
Of the Compromise and Fugitive Law, and il
was authoritatiyely announced that he had
previously examined and sanctioned them.
Still, the rumor was circulated that there. was
some secret understanding between him and
the Free Sellers, and as the presumption al
ways is, that Shareholders are great deal more
consistent and uncompromising than their OPP
ponents his special friends deemed it necessary
to satisfy their demands by clearly defining his
position. Accordingly last Thursday, Mr..
Breckenridge of Kentucky took occasion in
smooth speech, well put together, to demon
strate beyond all doubt the Generals ortho-
doxy on the Slavery Question. 81,
In the first place, his antecedents were right.
Z" At the commencement of the Twenty-sixt
Congress- he remarked, Mr.. Wise, of Vir-
ginia, submitted resolution that all petitions.
memorials, and resolutions, for the abolition of
slavery or the slave trade in the States, Terri
tories or districts of this Union, should be con-
sidered as objected to- and the question of re-
ception laid upon the table without debate
Thereupon. instantly, MIR. Fillmore of New
York, stated that if it was necessary to object
to the resolution, he objected. Upon motion
to suspend the rules for its introduction, find
the name of William O. Butler recorded in the
affirmative ; and the names of Messrs. Adams,
Giddipgs, Fillmore Sc in the negative After
y:1 - ss;c cS;S-s s@cs;s,,.1, sSe famous
twenty-five rule was adopted wholly excluding
abolition petitions whether they referred to
the States, Territories, or the District of Co
lumbia. Here again the name Of General
Butler was recorded in the affirmative and
Adams, Giddngs, Fillmore, and Others and
regret to add some Southern Wings, i'm the
negative. Everybody knows Mr.. Adams in
stantly commenced system Of agitation for
the repeal of that rule During the four years
that General Butler remained in Congress, he
favorite of the gentleman from Florida as uni
formly voted for it,"
Next he produced letter from General
Butler, dated January 27th in reply to Mr.
Blair, an old personal friend, who had ad.
dressed him ON political subjects Enclosing
a copy of the proceedings of the State Conyen.
ton that nominated him, he says:
"The resolutions speak for themselves, and
it is only necessary for me to say that they
were submitted to me before they were acted
upon by the Convention, and met my entire
appreciation. What effect they are likely to
have upon myself politically, did not pause to
inquire 1t is sufficient for me that they are in
strict accordance with my own opinions--opin-
ions not of a day nor lightly entertained. and
therefore not likely to be changed or abandon
ed-opinions, too, in which the American People
feel a deep interest, and therefore proper to be
made known. In the proceedings of this Convcn-
ton there is nothing new, nor in the slightest
degree at war with that spirit of Cancellation
which seems likely to pervade every section of
the Union. While the first and second resolu
tons express, in bold and unmistakeable Ian.
gnage, what the people of Kentucky believe to
be their constitutional rights in relation to the
all-engrossing issues growing ont Of the institu-
ton of slavery still. by the third resolution,
the Convention resolves that the People of Ken
lucky will abide by and maintain all the late
acts of Congress known as the Compromise
measures, as a final settlement of all the ques-
tions embraced in those acts
/" IL her opinions should be deemed extreme,
it serves to prove how much Kentucky is ready
TO yield to the spirit of compromise Every
days experience but serves to convince me
more and more of the wisdom and patriotism
of the great men who brought about those heal
ing measures. 1t is as though a 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 perpetuity of our Union, and
the continuance Of the inestimable blessings
which we enjoy under its protection
aThe 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 all be.
come populous States, and each State will set
tie within its own borders the question of sia-
very by constitutional enactments that none
can question. In the mean time, the rights,
whether real or imaginary, of tn contending
parties, will remain unimpared. Let us then,
wait on time, with the full assurance that He
whose march is tracked by the dcsolation of
Kingdoms and Empires in the olden East will
bring healing on 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 dele
gates at Frankfort have properly marked, with
much emphasis. the necessity Of its strict en-
forcement This, we think, we have a consti-
tutional right to demand Of the General Gov
eminent Kentucky does not make this de-
mand 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
1.-THE Compromise measures will, in all prob
ability be added to the Democratic platform of
1848 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
support them"
This is frank, and leaves no doubt to
Gen. Buffers position, which is identical with
that of Messrs. Fillmore, Webster, Scott, Cas-,
Buchanan, Douglas, and Houston. We are
under obligations to our slayeholding friends
for relieving us of all doubt respecting the po'
sition and views of their candidates.
ANOTHER ExPoUNDER OF THE CoSsrITU-
rIoS.-Mr. Webster will have to look 10 his
laurels A rival Constitutional expounder has
appeared, in the person Of CHARLES H. PEAS
LEE, M. c. from New Hampshire Some Dem
ocratic citizens invited Mr.. p. and his col