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

In reply to a suggestion made by his friend Mr. HuNrEa
to adjourn the debate to accommodate Mr.. BUTLEa
Mr. BUTLER said Mr.. President prefer 10 20
When obtained the floor the other day upon this question
IT with view make very few remarks in order TO
relieve the Senate from any impression which migt be
made on by the statements made here the response
bty OF senator's or by newspaper communications in
ation TO the part which my riend General Achson has
acted in Kansas affairs. intended nlore and shall
endeaVor TO discharge that duty before conclude the
marks which propose 10 submit
The debate this subject Mr.. President has brought
made the occasion Of fearful indications for the future
What the Developments of the future may disclose know
mott but this much will say before approach the main
subject which intend deliver my views that We are
reduced by the Issue which has been made in Kansas
the alternative either of suffering the President under the
message which he has sent to us and the procama-
ton which he has issued TO exercise his high Office
to the peace which threatened TO be disturbed
in Kansas subj ourselves the usupaton of squat
ter sovereignty and the discretion of uncalculang
ana,icsm raising Il whirfwnd on which it may not
be able to ride This is the issue which is presented
usi for if the President does nterpose his author
ty to preserve peace | have no reason TO conclude
but that The conflict between the two 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 arrayed far they
be arrayed by their advocates will have effect
civilization and society than all the blood shed in all
the battles Of antiquity in the struggle Borodno and
the battles which followed it Sir an entirely persuaded
that if we TO approach what has been threateneda
rupture Of this Unonor if we to preserve the Union
it is the duty of every man, far he cam to throw his
influence into the public opinion which will justify the
OF the President, to be free from the
quences which may otherwise grow of this fearful issue
Yes if the South is forced to take her destiny in her
Separdte Keeping let us do all justify conduct
before the tribunal of history let do all can in the
way of explanation dsp deuson and rebuke the mad
spirit which has infused itself into the public mind in
portion Of this contedeacy. Danger may speak with
loud trumpet TO the of reason and justice.
be said that have passed through the ordeal Of
experience and perhaps of time and that they have had their
influence my temper; but sir, look anything like
I'M uIls Nv
would throw into the horrors OF anarchy with not the
view others who may be more intrepid, and who
may think they oft without hazard to them
selves There is nothing miscevous to society any
affecting its stability uncontrolled by RESPONSE
bility and unregGated by intelligence Bigory, tanat
cism, and prejudice fatal counsellors and under the
Sharpes rifle influence they have exercised their influence
on the issues of the day.
Now before approach the main point must dispose Of
OF the remarks made by the senator from New lamp
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 least 10 have tempered
of his expressions do not intend TO the Lam
guage of aspery in this debate if can avoid it but allow
say to the senator from New Hampshire that think
when he used expressions not only in relation
the President of the United States, the Chief Mag
strate of this confederacy, but in relation 10 the
Supreme Court and other departments OF this gov
ernnent and when be allowed himself TO read
from newspaper under the signature of anonymous
writer statements 10 reference to distinguished gentle
with whom he had been associated here-l will do
dictates of his nature for believe that generally he
has rather shown temper that would lift him above such
things except when he acts the committed archer pull
the under the behsts of his urging huntsmen
The from New Hampshire is committed advocate
a SECTIONAL fanatic organization, and perhaps he is
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 ciadd Of slavery He did
know when be made that remark how far II extended
and hat light embrace Is he not associated with
class Of politicians 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 i 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 iii con
stution which ought to have validity and obligation
think have the statements in paper called
the Radical AboItouisL When the slnk4 o the
Supreme Court the citadel Of the institution Of slavery
he ght better have designated them opposed to those
who have called the constitution Of their country the c
del Of slavery Sir would prefer regarding the judges of
the Supreme Court far know anything Of their de-
csous the eutnes and defenders Of the constitution
constitution recognising the equality Of the States and
at Leaf imposing them such obligations that they
permitted transfer their Judgments into another
jurisdct prescribed suppose by what il technically
called the higher lava jurisdiction Of discretion and pre-
yud,os
| They have not gone down up-as gentlemen may
choose consider ito the higher law. AS far know
the court-and have bad intercourse with It's vencuted
and venerable Chief Justice from my official positiou
chairman Of the Committee the Judiciary do not
believe have known a body Of men hopes y
disposed do their duty under the obligations Of The
power which gave them the right discharge judicial
functions believe, when first parents driven
Of Paradise 1t under tho suggestions Of the higher
law The devil went In and suggested TO Eve that there
was a higher law and, disregarding the law under
which she placed in Paradise, she and her postery
have suffered the penalties Of dsoJedence transgression
is sin. wish 10 recognise tribunal and set Of
opinions which will attempt TO rule the country except by
prescribed law and a 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 Prgg and Penusy lvana hes led TO mschcvous
consequences not intended by the When tue court
undertook that the States themselves might be alb
solved from the duty imposed them by the federal
pact Of returning uqives from labor think they made
decision tending absove the States from the honor Of
compacis. They did Say 1t in many words, nor do
holding States have construed IL Instead OF that decs
ion being Judgment from the citadel OF slavery has
bounded entirely in its consequence the
ing States Of this Union rather 10 let their Rcconmo
dating morality take refuge in ito them for dis
regarding the obligations imposed upon them co-opera-
tive agencies, &c.
would rather regard that high tribunal as one which
could look abroad upon the vast and beautiful horizon oil
truth and Justice should wish 10 them governed
by that popular agitation which Is threatening under.
mine the institutions Of the country and 10 destroy
only the present form Of Union hut TO wash the
very landmarks Of forcfahcrs 10 such would
I've glad the Supreme Court like the proud pronr2n-
tory in the deep,
d" Let tho tretfu ocean surge upon its base
Let storms assail it, summit
wish il to stand firm at least the type Of the duration
OF the Institutions Of this country and emblem Of
eternal justice at least wish that, amidst the agitation
Of The time, Il shall maintain its identity. Let tie