Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-07-02
COplOUS EXTRACTS. FROM THE
So e
HON, A, P. BUTL E R,
oE sOTTuCaPOIlSA

IL " lN IL - 4 - - l - - ALI
OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
Cn The bill 10 enable the people Of Kansas ter,
riory to fo-n u constitution and State gov
crnmcnt, preparatory 10 their admission into
the Union, wien they have the requisite popu-
lalon, delivered in the Senate, June l., 1856
MR.. BROOKS AND MIR. SUMNER.
Mr.. BUTLER. Mr.. President. the occasion and
the subject upon which am about 10 address
the Senate of the United States, at ths time.
have been brought about by events over which
have had no control, ard could have ind none
events which have grown out Of the COM
mencement of 4 controversy for which the
Senator from Massachusetts (nct row il lis
seat) Mr.. Sumner should be held exclusively
responsible to his country and his God lie
has delivered speech the most extraordinary
that has ever h&d uttcrance in any deberatre
body recognizing the sanctions OF law and de-
ceucy. When it was delivered was not here;
and if had been present, what should have
done it would be perfectly idle for me now TO
say; because no one can substitute tie dc'!bcr-
ations of 4 subsequent period fer such rs might
have influenced him at another time and under
different circumstances. Ny impression now
is That, if / had been present. | should have
asked the Senator, before he finished some o!
the paragraphs personally applicable to myself,
10 pause; and if he had gone on, would have
demanded Of him, the next morning, that hc
should review that speech, ard retract or modify
it, soss to bring it within the sphere eraria.
mentary prcpriety. If he had refused This, what
I would have done cannot say; vet can say
that would not have submitted 10 it. Bat
what mode of redress should have resortcd
10, | cannot tell
wish had been here. would have al
least assumed, as ought 10 have done on NY
responsibility as Senator, aud OIL my res?on-
sbiiy as 4 representative OF South Carolina,
all the consequences. let them lead where they
might; but instead of that, The spcec' has H.
voiyed his own friends, and his own colleague
1t has involved my friends. Ithas involved one
of them to such IN extent that, at this time, he
has been obliged TO put his fortune and his life
at stake. And, sir. if the consequences which
are likely 10 flow from that speech hereafter
shall end in blood and violence, that Senator
should be prepared to repent i'll sackclo.Ei and
ashes
Now, pronounce 4 judgment on that speech
which will be adopted by the public. am as
certain as ! am speaking that il is now condemn-
ed by the public mind, and BY postcri.y it viii
be consigned to infamy, for the mischievous
consequences which have flowed from it already,
ard such as are likely vet to disturb the peace
and rcpose of the country.
said nothing, Mr.. President, at any period
of my lire-muc less did say anything in the
course Of the debate TO which he purports 10
have made repy-that could have called Tor,
much less have justified, the gross personal
abuse, traduction, and calumny. to which lie has
rcsorted.
When was at my little farm, enjoying N.Y.
sell quietly. and as thought had taken refuge
from tie striies and contentious Of the Senate,
and Of politics, a message WAS brought to me
that my kirsnan had been involved in difficult
ty on my account. 1t was so vague that dlG
not know how to account for it. was far from
any telegraphic communication. | did not wait
five minutes before left home 10 put myself
within the reach of such informasion-and gar
bled even that was--as was accessible. irav-
cled four days continuously to Washington
and when arrived | found lie very subject
under discussion which had given ne so much
concern and it has been 4 source Of the deep
est concern to my feelings ever since heard Of
it, on many accouEts-cn account oil my coun-
,ry. auG on account of the honor and the safely
OF MY kinsman. When arrived here, found
thc subject under discussion. went 10 The
Senate worn down BY travel; ard then gave
notice that, when the resolutions from AlasSa.
chusc,ts should be presented, | would speak |"
them, as cGning from Commonwealth whose
history, and whose lessons of history, had III.
spred me with the very highest admiration
would speak 10 them from respect 10 = Com
monweal,h, whist, perhaps, The Senator who
had been the cause of tEcir Introduction ought
not TO deserve ny notice, and would no; have
received it.
Well, sir, DAYS passed, and those resolutions
were net presented Now, they have been pre-
seuted, and presented in 4 different WAY iTon
any that have ever known 10 be submitted
from any Commonwealth before They we're
not presented by one CT its Senators, ba: were
sert directly to the President of The Senate
and The Speaker of the House of Representa-
tiyts waited for some time with the cyprcta
ton that, when these resolutions should come
would acquit myself Of the painful task wiicl
circumstances had devolved upon me- They
did not ccme until Yesterday than two
weeks after their adoption.
In Ike mean tilne-on Monday last-I gave
nolice that ] would address lie Senate to-Ga,
under the confident belief, not that The prcsen
Senator [NIr. Wilson, would be here-becaus,
Ihayc ncihirg 10 Go with hi!n-lut TINT lh
Senator who Las Gecn The aggressor. Inc cr'h:'
nal nggrcssor, in this matter, would Ge pres =, NJ
and If give crcdcncc 70. the testimony Of III
Boyle, see no reason why he should rot D.
present. For anything that appears in that les
rmony, if he had been an officer OF the Army
and had not appeared the mex! day On Tie battle
field, he would have deserved to be eas!'icrcd.
Sir, am ct : loss TO know why he has allne'
lis assaults at me individually and ut my Stat
ON more occasions than one; but | am wiln!
TO adopt tho clew afforded cy the Rev, Nj
DeecEer; ard, as it is clew upon The subject
] rely on it. Iwish nothing of mile 10 60 GU