Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-15
REMARKS OF MR.. MANGUM ON THE
COMPROMISE REPORT.


COMPROMISE REPORT.
In the Senate, on Wednesday, May sth after Mr..
Mason Mr. Berrien and other Senators had expressed
their dissent from the report OF the committee of hir
tech
Mr.. MANGUM said Mr.. President, it is with
great deal of reluctance that rise to follow exam
pie thathas been set me, and which would have been
very slow to myself but feel in some sort called
upon to make remark or two. originally, as you
know sir went for the raising OF this select committee
did it with view that they might harmonic, il pos
sibe the distractions and the bad feelings OF the country
knew, sir, that upon many OF the present questions
difficulties between the North and South, they as
widely apart in their abstract views the poles, and
entered upon the very humble part which have per-
formed on this committee with spirit OF justice to both
sections Of the Union | neither desired to take the
weight Of hair from the North, to which they
titled nor to coneede the North any unreasonable
quirements which they might make
But sir from the very nature OF things all questions
or controversies OF this character that have pervaded
this country and deeply agitaied 1t, and stirred up the
passions OF men from one extreme to the other, every
man of common experience, and, indeed, OF common
sense as appreheud must know that any scheme which
is to command the appreciation OF large majority OF
! the people, will be open TO diversity OF criticisms
| Sir il we act upon the principle OF hypercHnclsm II
we act upon the principle OF standing dogmaucay upon
positions which may have assumed at former time,
venture to say that this question never Will be ADJUST
ed and what will ultimately become otlt the wlsest man
in my hearing may not be able to say Sir Tor this rea
son entered into this committee, that SO lar as IN my
power might assist in endeavorlng to bring about an
adjustment upon practical ground, that OF dong equal
Justice to every portion OF the coniederacy.
Ii the North should set up pretenslons whch, IN my
opinion had no warantn the constitution, or II they
had warrant IN the constitution, were YET wholy mad
missbe because they were dsparagng ana dlsrespect-
full would repel them and, while would do thai,
would up claims on the part OF the South when
were not strictly within the limits OF the constitution
Sir shall never feel any qualification IN having one
portion of the country gain triumph over another
portion, or in promoting the welfare OF one section at
The expense of another section desire to see the coun-
try again restored that position when every man. be
he Wing or be he Democrat may hold out to his fellow
man the right hand OF fellowship Let us dlffer II we
please this that question OF pohcy Dul upon tnose
questions which touch the integrity OF the Union ana
perpeuty of the Government and shake the solid con-
tinent to its centre can have but one hear one Will,
one mind and that to do Justice to all to ask ior no
concessions to which we ale not entitled, and not 10
make anv which cannot properly and constitutonaly
make So far as beraity goes within the scope OF my
constitutional obligations, hope will not tall short OF
any oherman, matterrom what section OF the Union
he may come. ,,-
Now, in reference to this report and the bills which
accompany it, l. in common with every other member
of the committee found some things OF more or less
magnitude, which did not perhaps suit my feelings or
accord with my opinions But sir, why did we ralse
such committee every man who might be selected as
one of members should expect that his positions would
be agreed to Sir, such scheme with such eXpecta-
lions would be utterly useless might say, absurd
Never sir should we have had the constitution framed
under which now live and prosper, and OF winch we
!
namhar of the Convention which framed that constu-
ton had acted upon this principle. There were indeed
few things that could have wished to be otherwsem
the bills reported but take great pleasure sir IN say
inc that take it as whole with cordiay yes, with
peasure believing do that the agitators, wherever
they may live-in whatever portion OF the Umon-lt we
should be so fortunate TO carry this measure, will be
unhorsed defeated and fall into disrepute; "Othelo's
occupation will be gone
Thecountry, sir, has been deeply agitated and dis
rbed great fears have been entertained by the best
andy JiSes ms as To he
integrity and perpetuy of the Union, and many OF
them have passed sleepess nights have passed minel
in anxiety for their eounrys good Sr IL we should
and lstice-as | am inclined to believe, do hrmly be-
eve-the proposition now presented contains tins prn-
cipe. think the report will be cordially and avora-
bly, received by vast and overwhelming majority OF
the country and those who gainsay l-those who cri-
tce it-those who oppose it, Will in many quarters ind
themselves marked men, and some WI have applied to
them the burning brand OF public indignation that It
do not burn into the bone, will leave mark that they
will carry with them to their political graves.
Sir hope see the restoration OF that concord and
harmony and good feeling which has formerly pervaded
every section of this Union. trust we shall see IT. and
trust that the patriotic party as regard them-the
men who saudup here without any other power to mn
pei them action except their belief that Is the VIII oil
much the greatest portion of the good men OF the coun-
try and for their enduring happiness and glory-, I'M
der the favor of Heaven that party should SUCCEED IN
bringing this matter to a contamination, they Will be re-
garded by an overwhelming portion OF the country as
the great patriotic party OF the land, standing upon the
ramparts of the constitution and recognising and sus
tanning all its principles and guarantees And think,
sir that those three or classes with whom this
party may have Observation-Disclosures tree-soilers}
renegadoes &c-wil, it they continue to agtate, TALL
into conempt for trust they will not be strong enough
to excite a stronger feeling, and be overwhelmed by the
severe and ultimate judgment OF the country =
Sir with all this difference OF opinion, it IS matter OF
surprise to me that we have agreed well; for when
did you ever see two men whose opinions were exactly
alike upon such subjects as those when nave been re-
ierred to this committee, various ocu' ana Voipne