Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-08-15
Letters to the Anderson Committee.


WE give below the letters of our two imme-
,diate fellow.citizens, Hon. A.-P. BUTLER and
Col. F. w. PIcKENs, in response to invitations
to the Anderson dinner.
Letter from, Hon. A. p. Butler, u. S. Sena-
tor from South Carolina.
NEAR EDGEFGELD, July IA.
GENTLEMEN received Ly the last mail your
polite invitation to attend festival, on the 25th
inst, to be given in honor of your Representa-
tive, COL Orr. regard the compliment to Col.
Orr Orr well merited. Upon all the tests of the old
republican school, he has been true, and has ex-
hib,ed an industry and ability which enlite him
to the confidence of an intelligent constituency
1t would afford lne, for many considerations,
great pleasure to be present on the OCCASION to
which you have invited me. But am obliged
to leave home to-day, to fulfill engagements
which duty will not allow me to disregard; and
fear that shall not have time to be at Ander.
son by the 25Lh.
If in The past your Representative has per-
formed his duties with credit to himself and the
country. he has an undeveoped future before
himself and his coadjutors, that will put to
high trial their wisdom, patriotism and frmness.
1t is in vain to take refuge in hattering hope
and delusye disguise. Events are running to
& crisis full Of fearful issues-either in anarchy,
under the irresponsible influence of secret aud
unconstitutional societies, or in tho despotism
of irresponsible majorities.
But, gentlemen, it was my purpose, when
sat down to write this note, to say little else
than to return you my acknowledgements for
your remembrance of me in connection with the
occasion of the 25th.
AS the mind will return to matters in which
it has been recently engaged, will make 4 re-
mark that may be somewhat illustrative Of my
reflections on the history of our revolutionary
ancestors and it is history full of instruction.
wish had before me the concluding clause
of George Mason's will. l think it the most
impressive passage of composition that | ever
read, and think its author had one of the most
impressive intellects of his day. lie had the
elements of character to inspire confidence and
cummand respect. Gen. Washington felt this
influence, ana gave Green passport TO the
South through an introduction to Geo. Mason
a striking tribute.
This gentleman, with wisdom, sagacity, and
irmness almost unparalleled in history, saw,
with the vision of far seeing statesman, the
future as we have seen it developed. AS a pa
triot. without looking TO the rewards of person.
al ambition, and without al all caring for the
honors of place, he stood amidst the perils that
beset him, and met the temptations that might
have reduced him, without fear and without re-
proach. AS gentleman and neighbor, he per-
formed all the duties, which such relations could
require, with high regard 10 Propriety useful
ness and justice. Such mans life may we'll
be studied
The concluding clause of his will to which
have referred, is couehed in language--and ]
have referred to it less "to adorn moral, than
to point tale"
The testator, feeling that he had something
of the authority Of the sage, expressed himself
in the instructive affection Of n parent. / can.
not quote his language and fear cannot give
its import.
Hc said that he had enjoyed the honors Of
public life, and had encountered all its perilous
responsibilities; and that experience had brought
to his mind the verdct--that in the pursuits Of
private life were to be found the true source of
happiness, quietude, and honorable Independence.
But lie said with solemn INDUCTION to his chill
dren and descendants: whilst give you this as
my opinion, | suy, on the authority of u parent
quitting this world---should any Of my sons and
descendants be required to engage in the business
of public life, let not the dread of poverty, The
fear of disgrace, nor the perils of death, deter
them from maintaining the rights TO which They
were born"
! have no doubt he intended to say, that such
rights were in danger, in view of federal usur-
patton.
Without any of the authority or right of
George Mason, hope may give this sentiment
without just exception:
Young Statesmen of the Soutt--maintsin
the rights you were born to, and which were i'll
tended to be secured to your section by the
Federal Constitution, and do so without the
danger of violence and anarchy, but undar the
security of concert, and the lights of wisdom
and intelligence.
am, gentlemen, yours,
A. e. BUTLER.
DR.. o. R. DRoYLEs, Chairman, &c.