The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-03-27
SPEECH, OF HON A. p. BUTLER,
,oF SOUTH CAROLINA.
In THE SENATE, March 5, 1856.

On the Presidents Message Of Feb. is, 1856, re.
lative to affairs in Kansas Territory.
In reply to suggestion made by his
friend Mr. Hunter 10 adjourn the debate TO
accommodate Mr.. Butler;
Mr.. Butler said: Mr.. President, | prefer
to 60 on now. When obtained the floor
the other day upon this question, it was
with view to make a very few remarks
i'll order to relieve the Senate from any i'm.
preston which might be made on it BY The
statements made here on the responsibility
Of Senators, or 10y newspaper commuuica.
tions. in relation to the part which my
friend General Atchison has acted in Kan
sas affairs. | intended no more; and /
shall endeavor to discharge that duty be,
fore 1 conclude the remarks which pro.
pose now to submit.
The debate on this subject. Mr. Presi.
dent, has brought many things within its
scope, and has, in my opinion, been made
the occasion of fearful Indications for the
future. What the developments of the fa-
ture may disclose know not; but this much
will say before | approach the main sub.
ject on which intend to deliver my views,
that we are reduced, by the issue which
has been made i'll Kansas, TO the alternative
either OF suffering the President, under the
message which he has sent TO us and the
proclamation which he has issued, 10 exer.
else his high Office TO preserve the peace
which is threatened to be disturbed in
Kansas, or subject ourselves 10 the usurpa-
ton of squa'ter sovereignty aud the di>cre.
ton of an uncalcuating fanaticisin; raising
whiiiwind on which it may not be able
TO ride. This is the issue which is present
ed to us. For il the President does no; in
tcrpose his authority to preserve peace.
have no reason to conclude hut that the
conflict between the two parties in Kansas
may result in the shedding of blood and,
sir, my word for it, one drop of blood shed
IN civil strife i'll this country, in which par
lies have been distinctly atrayed, so far rs
they can lac arrayed by their advocates,
will haze more effect on civilization and on
society than all the blood shed in all the
battles of Antiquity, or in The struggles at
Borodipo and the battles which followed it,
Sir, | am entirely persuaded that, il we are
TO approach what has been threatened IA
rupture of this Uuion--or if we are 10 pre-.
serve the Union it is the duty Of every
man, as far as he can, to throw his influ
eucc into the public opinion Which will JUS
tify the course of the President, so as to be
free from the consequences which may
otherwise grow out of this fearful issue.
Yes, sir, if the South is forced 20 take her
destiny in her separate keeping, let US do
al! we can to justify our conduct before The
tribunal of history; let us do al! we can in
the way of explanation 10 dispel dciusion
and rcbuke the mad spirit which las in
fused itself into the public mind in IA por.
tiop OF this Confcderaby. Danger NAV
speak with loud trumpet to the ear Of
reason and justice.
1t may be said that have passed
through the ordeal of experience, and per
haps OF time, and that they have had their
influence on my temper; but, sir, look on
any thing like rupture in civil govern
meht, and especially such a one rs would
throw us into the horrors of anarchy, with
not the same view as others who may he
more intrepid. and who may think they
can come out of it without hazard TO
themselves. There is nothing so nischiey.
Gus to society rs any movement affecting
It's stability, uncontrolled 10y responsibility
and unregulatcd by intelligence. Bgotrv,
fanaticism and prejudice are fatal counsel.
ors; and under the Shapes rifle influence
they have exerc sed their influence on the
issues of the day.
Now, before | approach the main point
] must dispose of some of the remarks
made by the Senator from New Hamp.
shire, Mr.. Hale. reply to his remarks
because he has been in this Chamber for n
longer period than the Senator from Mas.
sachuseits, MIR. Wilson, and has had as.
sociations here which fthink ought at least
10 have tempered some of his expressions.
do not intend TO use the language of as.
peri.y in this debate, if can avoid if: but
allow me TO say to the Senator from New
Hampshire that | think, when he used
some expressions, not only in relation TO
the President Of the United States, the
chief magistrate Of this Confederacy, but in
relation to the Supreme Court, and other
Departments OF this Government; and when
he allowed himself to read from newspa.
per, under the signature Of an anonymous
writer, statements in reference to distin.
guished gentleman with whom he had been
associated here--l will do him the Justice
to say that hardly think he consulted the
dictates Of his own nature; for believe that
generally he has rather shown u temper
that would lift him above such things, ex.
cept when he acts as the committed archer
pulling tho arrow under the behests OF his
urging huntsmen. The Senator from New
Hampshire is committed advocate TO a
sectional, fanatical organization; and, per-
haps, ho is not at liberty to deny the au.
thority under which he has entered the
Senate.