The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-31
MR.. MANGUM.


There was time when Mr. Mangum was
recognised as staunch thorough-going Demo
crat of the Southern School. Some years ago
his political principles were, on many points,
the precise antipodes of what they are at pre-
sent. Now he is a warm friend of National
Bank-the foremost parasite of Mr.. Clay-tor-
merly he ranked among the most uncompromis-
ing foes of the great chartered monopoly,
| among the irmest supporters and warmest ad-
mirers of General Jackson. Thus he speaks
of the Hero of New Orleans in speech deli
yered in reply to the great leader, to whom he is
now content to play second fiddle-to whose ma
lightly he is satisfied, as was surmsed by ano-
ther Senator from the South to act as conduit
pipe " We believed he preferred his country to
himself that he would urge his policy no farther
than he believed the great interests of the coun-
try required and that he was wholly incapable
Of abusing it, either to acquire to retain pow
er. In word, all believed him TO be an honest
man-frm, patriotic, and fearless This is the
fortress of his strength-the hearts of the Peo-
pie is the citadel of his power" This lofty eu-
logy formed portion of an elaborate argument
made against Mr.. Clay's favorite system of a
juxta- position with the declaration that General
Jackson was in favor of protection. In contin-
uation Of the declaration he adds: Z" Loving
him as we did, admiring him as we must, rever-
ing him as we ought, and confiding in him as
we still delight to do, we nevertheless always
rod mir hi III
deep regret" So far Mr.. Mangum.
On Saturday we quoted the votes on General
Jackson's Veto of the Bank of the United
States, to demonstrate that MIR. Mangum, few
years since, was not only foe to the Bank but
a friend of the Veto of Bank. We have
made the preceding extracts to evince that he
was not only an ardent partisan of General
Jackson's, but to manifest, by the contrast be-
tween his language then and his acts now, that
ne has not merely become convert to the po-
litical doctrines of his former opponents, but
his principles Of conduct have Undergone total
revolution. Ten years ago he was firm sup
porter of General Jackson's Administration,
though he was aware that the President held
doctrines opposed to the cardinal principles of
the South in relation to protection. He would
not break with General Jackson for a difference
of opinion on point, though that was one of
primary importance, while they fully accorded
in sentiment on all other measures.
But now how changed are all his principles.
He once voted against Bank-he once gave
the sanction of his vote to the Veto Of a Bank /;
he differed from President on vital question
Of public policy, and yet could support that Presi
dents Administration. Now he votes for Bank,
becomes indignant at Veto, and disagree
ing with the President on one question-one in
which he has himself become renegade from
his former faith, while the President remains un-
changed-he assumes the difference of opinion
as an apology not only for ranging himself with
the determined foesof the Administration, but
for continuous trades of denuncaton against
the Chief Magistrate.
Verify Mr. Mangum is a consistent politician
and an eminent statesman Weak minds are
not seldom transparent-and their motives are
not difficult of discovery We may perhaps,
when at leisure, amuse ourselves with giving
a brief memoir of the North Carolina Senator,
whose merit always has been to play second
faithfully to one far greater than himself.