Washington sentinel., 1854-03-03
Wasbingtuu gsntinsl.
NEBRASKA AND KANSAS.
SPEECH OF HON. A. p. BUTLER,

SPEECH OF HON. A. p. BUTLER,
OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
In the United States Senate, FEB. "a, 1854.
The Senate having under consideration the bill
10 organize the Territories Of Nebraska and Kan
Mr.. BUTLER said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT AT one time had determined
to take no part in this dcbate but have received
letters from my own State. and have heard opin-
ions expressed here in consexion with this sub
ject-one Of acknowledged magnitude and which
affects deeply the interests of the section OF the
Union which in part represent-which have In
duced me to depart from the resolution which
originally formed, and 10 ask the Senate to hear
me for shot time upon some of the many interest
ing topics which are involved in the question be-
fore the Senate.
The state of my voice is such that may not be
able 10 speak with articulate clearness but will
say one thing before 60 further, that II had the
tongue Of Juvena, Iwould not use It as rasP 10
exasperate sectional differences certainly would
not use tito rritaie, in any mannerto wound the
feelings ofthose from the north who in good faith
are inclined 10 do the south justice. But sir, the
honorable senator from Massachusetts, Mr.. SUN.
NER) the honorable senator from New York, lMr.
SEwARpJ and the honorable senators from Ono.
(Messrs. CHASE and WIsE1 have said some hard
things They have uttered language which might
well call from me that Of retaliation and hostility
Sir shall not, however, draw from my qulver any
poisoned arrows and il l give them aim, they
will only strike where, think, they should strike.
For the honorable senator from Massachusetts,
who sits near me- as 4 neghbor. as gentleman
| of classic taste, as one with whom | frequently
| converse upon subjects Of that kind, have re-
spect which such attainments may well inspire.
II has always given me pam when nave seen
him. under the influence of feelings rather than OF
principles Il do not allude 10 principles in moral
point of view but TO those principles which should
guide. a statesrnan) rising and speaking in the
style and temper in which he spoke the other day.
must be permitted TO say. that whilst award TO
him the merit of having spoken with the taste and
fervor and eloauence Of an accomplished orator.
he has not, in my deliberate judgment, spoken with
the wisdom. the Judgment, and the responsibility
of a statesman. If il be any consolation to that
gentleman, am willing that, if he shall win the
reputation Of Wllberiorce himself, ne cannot claim
place in history that is due 10 the statesmen OF
sagacity and purpose for, notwithstanding the
results TO which Wilberforce's doctrines have led,
10 historian will ever award to him the place OF
one who was capable of conducting human affairs
with Judgment and responsbllty-wth that Jndg-
ment which can rule and save society. The
plungng agitator and rhetorical advocate may
play his part on the stage, and win the plaudts OF
an er pa,tc constituency, but he cannot have be-
slowed on him the hohors duo 10 the sage and the
patriot.
which have fallen from the honorable gentleman
10 whom have alluded-and intend TO do 1t IN
no unkind spirit personally will take the liberty
Of laying down the propositions which intcnd,
as far as I can, to maintain.
In the first place, will undertake to MAINTAIN
ihat the Missouri compromise, notwithstanding
the laudatious Of the honorable senator from
Texas, mr. HoUsros,] instead of bringing with
it peace and harmony, has brought with It sec
tiona strife; that Isl instead Of being healing
salve. thorn In the side Of the southern portion
I,~r. - c,Ja md thA
it, the sooner you will restore harmony and health
TO the body polite.
/ will undertake to maintain, in the second
place, that whilst the Missouri compromise, il
properly observed, would, perhaps, have been as
advantageous to the south as even the provisions
Of this bill still that, as il obligations have been
disregarded, and its intended benefits to the south
denied on all occasions where its true principles
could be applied, it has nothing in It TO give il
either respect authority, and that the sooner
its punic operation can be discarded from the ad-
ministration OF the government the better It VIII
be for all parties.
In the third place, I will endeavor to show, if It
has not been, shown by my eloquent and honora-
BILE friend from Virginia Mr.. HusTrR,l who has
lust taken his seat, that The Missouri compromise
was never passed by constitutional competency,
but that its only authority has been derived from
the lapse of time and the voluntary acquiescence
of ourselves and forefathers in sincere DISPOSE
ton to make any sacrifice to preserve TINS once
glorious confcderacy One source OF acquies-
cence has been too generous commence IN me
ledsed any constitutional obligations in the Mis-
souri, compromise.
will endeavor 10 show, in the fourth place,
that whilst have some objections TO the bill I'M
der consideration, shall give il my support, on
the ground that its ntendmcnts are good, and that
II, provisions approximate at least that spirit of
Justice and equality contained in the federal Con-
s,itution, and that il processes return TO those
maxims of policy which our forefathers acted on
in regarding all the States alike in political point
of view 1t will, if adopted, oblitera,e a line OF
geographical distinction, indicating, for the first
time that the federal States, by this line had ad
verse as well as separate interests
II NAV be supposed, from the number of points
which have indicated, that may take some time
in discussing them; and perhaps ought not to
limit myself, considering their magnitude, but
shall take ns little time as possible.
Before arguing the points which have laid
down. allow me to make some preliminary obser-
yations in reference TO somo topics which have
been discussed by honorable senators who have
taken grounds against the provisions OF this bill.
might begin by adopting tho remark quoted by
the honorable senator from Massachusetts, Mr..
SUMNER
aoh Liberty what crimes have been committed in thy
name!"
The blood that lay in pools around the posts of
the ruilotne would make historical response;
but there may have been, with the French people,
some excuse, at least. for their excesses IT, how
ever, the efforts Of fanatical organization shall
result MS that honorable senator has indicated they
must result, in breaking down the distinction be-
tween the black and the white man, and elevat-
ing one or degrading the other TO an equality, the
horrors of the French revolution in all their frantic
feroci,y and cruelty, will be nothing compared to
the consequences which must flow from such a
state Of things. None but an incendary can look
upon tho picture but with horror. The effort to
confound castes between whom God has made an
indeible distinction would but result in the de-
struction Of one or the base degradation of the
higher class. II is presumpiuous, arrogant and
criminal TO deal with such elements in the spirit
which has manifested itself in the speeches Of the
gentleman to whom have referred.
Liberty! Sir, liberty is like fire, which may be
used either to warm and preserve the temple in
which il is kindleds or TO be the means of it's de-
s,ruc,ion. II may be an object of worship, or il
may be means Of destruction. They who hold
their. hands in solemn worship Al the fires Of
Ves,a, occupy q very different place from those
who would light irebrands upon her altar to illu-
inmate the temple in which they have none Of the
rights of priesthood nor the spirit Of worshippers.
They are profanc intruders, who cannot perceive