The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-10-02
From tie Washington thins.
Moro than They Bargained For.

! Our readers are already aware that course Of
lectures on slavery is to be delivered during the
ensuing winter in Boston, which We believe hns
; beea part Of the regular amusements Of that
city for number Of years past With the view
Of attracting more than the customary share
ofpublic attention towards these systcmatizcd
efforts Of fanaticism, invitations to lecture have
been extended to several distinguished states.
I men, whose views on the constitutions! question
of slavery arc known 10 be prcennenty sound
and unyielding. We have already published
the commercially briefrcply ex-senator Douglas.
in which that gentleman takes the wisely, liberal
and patriotic stand that as a citizen Of :. non.
slavehodng State he had no right TO interfere
with the constitutional domestic institutions Of
a sister State. A similar invitation was cxten.
deo to Senator Butler, Of South Carolina but :.
similar declension WAS not receircd-much to
the surprise, we doubt not, of the committee
on invitations. Unlike Mr. Douglas, Mr.. Butler
is citizen Of Stale weere slavery is lonv
established and universally recognised institution.
lie is not only wiling to meet in person tho
issues raised by the aboltioni$ts, but he is pre-.
pared to raise others which we presume they
will have no relish for discussing. lie says in
his reply:
las you request it will indicate the general
topics upon which will speak, should deliver
| the lecture in Boston.
"First, That whilst the Stat were colonies,
slavery was iutr, ,,duced and allowed without
distinction Of section, and that then, by tho
comfy Of these pol tical communities the rendi-
tion OF fugitive slaves wa, more certain than
now under the provisions Of the federal consti-
tuition.
"Second, That when federal authority under
Old federation assumed jurisdiction over the
subject, and the introduction Of slaves was
prohibited it was done by the votes Of northern
and southern members, without distinction OF
section.
"Third That when The slave trade was opened
by the authority Of the present constitution, the
measure was sanctioned by votes North and
South without distinction of section.
Fourth, That this trade, from 1890 tv 1903,
was carried OIL in northern vessels and by north
ern slave merchants, and that they mainly de.
rived the profits Of it.
Fifth. That these slaves were captured by
northern adventures, mostly by violence or
fraudulent seduction, and were sold to the south
ern planter for fair consideration.
"Sxth. That these slaves came to the south
ern planter as ignorant bar5arians, and BY bis
tutelage they hsve been converted into useful
and intelligent laborers.
Seventh Tha; BY the gradual improvement Of
their condition they are we'll fed and clothed.
"Eighth That the three and Il half millions
Of slaves introduced directly or indirectly by
the North could not be set Tree without conse-
quences detrimental to both sections.
Ninth. That in fair account between the
sections, the North has been gamer BY the use
Of: slave labor.
"These topics would take up q good deal Of
time, and Of course would reserve the liberty
Of amplifying or Of adding others to them.
VERY respectfully, your obedicnt servant.
"A. P. BUTLER.
James W. Stone, n. D."