Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-03-19
SENATER BUTIER-THE CONVENTION.
We take the following letter from the Rising

SENATER BUTLER--THE CONVENTION.
We take the following letter from the Risine
Sun of Newberry:
COMMITTEES Room, Feb. 8, 1856.
To MEssRs. SLIDER & CRossoH:
Gentlemen: In yours Of the 4th, and which
have Just received by the mail, you requested
me TO give you my opinion as to the proPrlety
of South Carolina sending delegates to the Gin
cinnatti Convention"
In this request you ask my opinion on mat
ter that is now under the decision Of foregone
conclusion in South Carolina. do not say that
it is a conclusion that has been attained through
the deliberate and responsible judgment OF the
people Of South Carolina. But enough has been
done 10 commit the State to some representation
in the new Convention at Cincinnatti-a Conven.
iion that shows where the Star Of Empire il 90.
ing. Such representation cannot be preven-
ted and being fixed fact, we must deal With
it as such, and rs well as we can.
My judgment is, that if South Carolina Il
giving up her strongest position-that of doing
as she pleases in reference TO the nominee for
Presidency-in keeping aloof, as she has here.
tofore done, from joining in Conventions, y vol
unlary and irresponsible Conventions, she has
occupied her true republican position-her con-
stituiional position-thnt Of sovereign .state
in Republican Confederacy. This. originally,
was intended to be a confederacy Of Republican
Slates-lbe States being the parties TO speak
through their responsible orgaHs-avolding the
amalgamation of mass meetings, in which demo-
cratic numbers must move stronger thaa constr.
tutiona weight. wish South Carolina could
have retained her constitutional identity-main'
tanning doctrines that could survive Constltu'
ton that should give security and equality. II
was the position of promontory in the deep
standing firm amidst the waves Of agitation that
were beating at its base, and resisting the storma
that have assailed its bosom. The tide of events
and the current of popular opinion, emanuiing
in the North and running to the South, has
brought to bear upon US a force which our peo'
pie cannot, suppose, resist. ;,
A partial representation at Cincinnati would
be mischieyous. 1t might control the State
without representing it. 1t might hitch us 70
car that might pass over and crush con6ding
worshippcrs. The principles Of common law
when fully examined, are wide ard even honora.
BILE. And those of one which maintains an hon.
orable relation between landlord and tenant: and
that is tenant entering under an acknowledged
title of his landlord shall not be allowed to dis.
pute it. Whether the title be good or not it is
treason in the centinaI az tenant to betrny il.
So of these great nominating Conventions
that have become, not the third, but the uecond
estate in the government Their platform and
resolutions commit all who join them to net un-
der them, and never allowing them TO dispute
their authority.
would much have preferred that presidential
elections should have gone through tho process
prescribed by the Constitution. As to nomina-
tions in some form they could not have been
avoided, and the old Congressional caucuaes
were much bst.sss sand>more responsible sources
resentative delegates-such as frequently have
scarcely any constituents, and such as cannot
represen: the opinions Of the people. have no
aversion to SEE our State take her responsible
Office US unit in the House of Representatives,
she would count then rs one in thtrty-one in
the Democratic Conveniion-she may yet have
the moral influence which intelligence and reso-
luton may exert through her delegation. But
in more numerical power she will be absorbed.
Now after what have said, will give you
my conclusion. AS the State will be represent
Cu-PuLtibS tuS 4uVotIOu Aoioo oh0
should be or not-let the State send her very
first men-such as Gov. Richardson, Col. Pick.
ems, Gov. Hammond, MIR. Barnwell, Mr. Rhett,
Gov. Means, Gen. Wallace, Mr.. Woodward, Gen.
Thompson, Richard Simpson, Gen. Rogers.
These gentlemen have regulations Of something
like Currule dignity. But there are many 9TH
or. that might name, and there is one gentle
man whose name, on this occasion, ought not
to omit, for while he has some notions in which
cannot agree, yet he is gentleman for whom
| have always entertained an unfeigned respect
Il alIude to Col. Perry, who has been promi.
nent in the Convention movement, would be
perfectly willing 10 trust the honor of the State
in his keeping. But in any thing that is likely
10 be done, do not let US de.Carolinaize our
selves.
Above all, would say, let our delegates 90
untrammeled and uncommitted as to the nomi-
nee for the Presidency.
have said more than intended.
Yours, A. p. BUTLER.
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