The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-03-11
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF NON. A. p. BUTLER

In reply to suggestion made by his friend Mr. HUSTE
to adjourn the debate 10 accommodate Mr. BUTLER,
Mr. BUTLER said Mr. President prefer 10 20 on now
When obtained the floor the other day upon this question
II was with view 10 make very few remarks in order
relieve the Senate from any impression which might b
made on Il by the statements made here the RESPONSE
biy OF senators, or by newspaper communications in
laton to the part which my feend General Atchison ha
acted IN Kansas affairs intended more; and shal
endeavor To discharge that duty before conclude the
marks which propose now to submit
The debate this subject Mr. President has brought
many things within its scope and has in opinion beer
made the occasion OF fearful indications for the future
bat the Developments of the future may disclose know
NOT but this much will say before approach the main
subject which intend TO deliver my views, that
reduced by the ssne which has been made in Kansas
the alternative either of suffering the President under the
message which he has sent to and the proelama.
ton which he has issued, to exercise his high Office
to preserve the which is threatened to be disturbed
in Kansas subject ourseve the usurpaton of squat
ter sovereignty and the discretion of uncacnatng
tana,icsm raising whiriwind which it may not
be able ride This is the issue which is presented to
usi for the President does not ncrpose his author
ty to preserve peace | have no reason to conclude
but that The conflict between the parties in Kansas
may result in the shedding of blood and sir my word for
it, drop of blood shed in civil strife in this country in
which parties have been distinctly arayed far they
can be arayed by their advocates will have effect
civilization and on society than all the blood shed in all
the battles Of antiquity, in the struggle Borodno and
the battles which followed it. Sir entirely persuaded
that if approach what has been threaened-a
rupture of this Unonor if to preserve the Union
II is the duty of every man. as far as he cam to throw his
of the President so as to be free from The conse-
quences which may otherwise grow of this fearful issue
Yes if the South is forced take her destiny in her
separate keeping let us do all justify conduct
before the tribunal Of history let do all in the
way of explanation to dpe delusion and rebuke the mad
spirit which has infused itself into the public mind in a
portion of this eoniederacy. Danger may speak with
loud trumpet to the ear Of reason and justice.
1t may be said that have passed through the ordeal of
experience and perhaps of time and that they have had their
influence on my temper but sir look anything like a
rupture in civil government and especially such
would throw into the horrors OF anarchy with not the
same view as others who may be more intrepid and who
may think they of without hazard to them
selves There nothing so mischevous to society as any
affecting its stability uncontrolled by responsi-
bility and unregrated by intelligence Bgotry iana!i-
csm, and prejudice fatal counsellors and under the
Shapes rifle influence they have exercised their influence
on the Issues of the day.
Now before approach the main point must dispose
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 longer period than the senator
from Massachusetts,, Mr.. WILSON and has had associa-
tons here which think ought at least 10 have tempered
of his expressions do not intend TO the Lam
guage of aspey in this debate avoid IL but allow
TO say the New Hampshire that think
when he used some expressions not only in relation
to the President of the United States the Chief Mag
istrate Of this confederaey but in relation 10 the
Supreme Court, and other departments of this gov
ernnent and when he allowed himself TO read
from newspaper under the signature of
writer 10 reference to distinguished gentle
with whom he had been associated herel Will do
him the Justice TO say that hardly think he consulted the
dictates Of his nature for believe that generally he
has rather shown temper that would h him above such
things except when he acts the committed archer pull
ing the under the behests of his urging huntsmen
Tue from New Hampshire Is committed advocate
10 sectional ianacl organization, and perhaps he s
not at liberty TO deny the authority under which he has
entered the Senate.
Sir, what did hear him say That the Supreme Court
of the United States the citadd of slavery He did
know when be made that remark how far II extended
and hat night embrace Is he associated with
class Of politicians in this country who have said that
the constitution Of the United States-the fundamen-
tai law of their country-was the citadel Of slavery ?
Yes, sir. 4 have had pamphlets within the last week
laid my desk maintaining that the constitution Of
the United States itself is the citadel OF slavery and
that unless it Is broken down. and the institution of
slavery thereby reached in all the States IL is
stituon which ought 10 have validity and obligation
think have the statements in paper called
the Radical AboOnst When the senator speaks OF the
Supreme Court the citadel Of the institution Of slavery
he might better have designated them opposed to those
who have called the constitution OF their country he
del Of slavery Sir would prefer regarding the Judges
the Supreme Court far know anything Of their de-
csious the sentnes and defenders Of the constitution
constitution recognising the equality of the States and
al least imposing on them such obligations that they
permitted 10 transfer their judgments into another
ursdict ou prescribed suppose by what is technically
called the higher lava jurisdiction Of discretion and pre-
jud,oe.
They have not gone down or up-as gentlemen may
choose consider ito the higher law. As far know
the court-and have had intercourse with its vcnCated
and venerable Chief Justice from my official position
chairman Of the Committee the Judciary- do not
believe have ever known body of men more hones y
disposed do their duty under the obligations OF The
power which gave them the right TO discharge judicial
functions believe when first parents driven
Of Paradise ii under the suggestions of the higher
law The devil went In and suggested 10 Eve that there
a higher law; and disregardinE the law under
which she placed In Paradise she and her postery
have suffered the penalties Of dsobedence transgresson
is sin. ] wish to recognise tribunal and set Of
opinions which will attempt to rule the country except by
some prescribed law and constitution laid down for
them by those who give them their official existence
believe that the Supreme Court has committed errors,
though Intentionally. believe their decision In the
OF Pdgg and Pennsylvania has led TO mischievous
consequences not intended by the When the court
undertook say that the States themselves might be alb
solved from the duty imposed them hy the federal
pact of returning fuqives from labor think they made
decision tending Rbsolve the States from the honor
compacs They did not say IL in many words do
think their decision is Of that import but the nonsave-
holding States have construed IT, Instead OF that decs-
ion being Judgment from the citadel OF slavery hns
bounded entirely in its consequences the nonsavehod-
ing States Of this Union rather to let their accommo-
dating morality take refuge in ito them for dis
regarding the obligations imposed upon them cooper-
tive agencies, &c.
would rather regard that high tribunal as one which
could look abroad upon the vast and beautiful horizon OF
truth and Justice should not wish TO them governed
by that popular agitation which Ia threatening under
mine the institutions or the country, aud TO destroy
only the present form Of Union but TO wash the
very landmarks of our oreftthcrs In such a would
be glad to the Supreme Court like the proud promon-
tory in the deep,
"Let tho freful surge upon its base,
II Let storms assail its summit
wish il TO stand frm at least as the pe Of the duration
OF the institutions Of this country, and emblem Of
eternal Justice at least wish that amidst the agitation
Of the time, it shall maintain its identity Let not the
senator from New Hampshire suppose that he can assa