The southern press., 1852-04-17
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS.
IN SENATE.
THuRspAY, April 10, 1852
" par,,pgsrrAL EXPLANATIONS.


pypsoNAI AND pREsIpEaTIAL EXPLANATIONS.
Mr.. MANGUM, agreeably 10 the notice which
he gave Yesterday, asked the indulgence OF the
senate 10 make an explanation mainly IN refer
ence 10 his own personal position lie had been
misrepresented in the newspapers, and II was due
10 himself and his constituents that he should
make this statement.
should very likely stand prepared to support the
Wing nominee whoever he might be. He should
continue to be party man and should yield, as
he did four years ago, his own personal prefer
ences, if necessary, for the good of the party to
which he belonged. 1t was his purpose TO retire
from public life, and he was not candidate for
ANYTHING, and did not expect to be. He had un-
derstood, from evidences which he could not ques-
ton, that majority Of the people Of his State
preferred the present incumbant OF the Presiden-
ttial chair as their first choice. That was not ex-
actly his position. He stood where he stood
four wears ago. His first choice for the Pres-
dency was Winfield Scott, and II ne was nominal
ed he had little fear OF the result.
He proceeded to state the grounds OF this pref
erence ar Scott over Fillmore, or Webster, or any
other Of The candidates who had been named. he
stood recommended to the support OF the party
bv his distinguished talents and by his renowned
military achievements. He was sound upon the
compromise question. He was as natlonai IN ms
nolitics as any man who had been named for the
Presidency. He would scorn to acquire trl-
urnph OF one section over another, and let MN
saw that when any man attempted to identity the
hero of Churusbusco and Chapultepec with Abo-
itionists. no Abolitionist believed he told the
truth. He was moreover the only available can
didate in the Wing party. lie would venture the
opinion that there was not an naellset pe rs
his attention to The subjes, who believed that
either Of the other gentlemen, who had been
named as Whig candidates, could get half the
number Of votes which was necessary Tor an cleo
ton. Il,
the Senate to make a personal explanation. In an
editorial in the New York Herald Of Sunday
morning last, a position had been assigned him
without any action of his own, which was MIS-
take. The article related to the Wing caucus
held on Friday evening last II was proper that
he should state that he did not attend that caucus
nor participate in any way, either directly or IN
directly, in its proceedings; nor was ne pledged to
abide their determination. He occupied the same
position which he did two years ago, and which
he then publicly announced. He would act with
no party which agitated the compromise question
for the purpose Of obtaining votes. Nor would ne
act with any party which would not sustain the
compromise measures as final adjustment OF the
whole subject.
There was also another article in the Herald oil
Tuesday morning last, headed Strife in the
Wing party at the South !" in which he was mis-.
represented. He corrected the error.
Mr.. GWIN wanted to know whether the Sena
tor from North Carolina spoke by authority, when
he said Gen. Scott presented as clear bill or fare
as any gentleman named. Did he speak by au
thority when he said that he occupied the same
position with regard to the fugitive bill as the
present Executive?
Mr. MANGUM said it was not his habit to
bask in the smiles, or cool in the shades of great
men, He had held no conversation with General
Scott since tbs time the 'omnbus" bill was pend
ing before Congress- He spoke from what he
knew OF the opinions entertained by him at that
time As to specific measures, no man could be
found who was satisfied with every measure en-
braced in that bill.
MIR. GWIN believed that no man could say that
Scott was in favor Of executing the fugitive slave
law, as President Fillmore had done. The reply
of the honorable Senator was what he expected.
No man could say he waspledged TO support or
opposed to the repeal Of that law
Mr. MANGUM said he spoke upon individual
resnonsibiIity He believed General Scott would
- execute all the laws Of the land. Let him inquire
il the gentleman would vote for General Scott II
he pledged himself to support the fugitive slave
lawi
frankly IL the Democratic nominee was not in
favor of sustaining the fugitive slave law, ne
shodld oppose him. But there was no doubt
about any Of the candidates upon this point. They
would ali support il. But with regard to General
Scott. there was doubt. He wanted letter from
him on the subject.
FRENCH sPoLiATIoNs.
The Senate then resumed the consideration OF
the bill TO provide for the ascerianment and
satisfaction OF claims Of American citizens for
spoliations committed by the French previous to
the 3lsi day OF July, 1901.
Mr.. BRADBURY addressed the Senate in re-
ply 10 the argument Of Mr.. FELcH, after which
the Senate proceeded 10 vote upon the bill.
TIE amendment Of Mr.. BoRLASD. TO strike out
the clause sppropriating sum not exceeding hive
millions Of dollars, was lost.
Amendments were proposed by Messrs DODGE
OF Iowa, and Hale, and rejected.
Amendments by Messrs. BAYARD and DAwsos
were adopted, and the bill was engrossed by a
vote Of % to 10.
On motion, the Senate adjourned.