The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-16
THIRTY SECOND CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
THuRspAy, April is, 1862
SENATE.

SENA f.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate a communica-
ton from the Secretary of the Interior enclosing,
in reply TO a resolution of the Senate, a statement
by ths Commissioner OF Indian Affiirs, relative 10
contracts by Indian agents In California, and drafts
drawn by those agents on account OF such con
tracts, which have been protested.
GovERsMEST rRIsrISo.
Mr.. COOPER presented the memorial Of the
printers OF Philadelphia, praying that Congress
would abolish the contract system of doing public
printing, and establish Government printing
office, as proposed by the bill introduced into the
House ly Mr.. DoTY.
Several other petitions were presented.
THE fREsIpKNoy-GEsEaAL SCOTT.
Mr.. MANGUM said that he had no speech TO
make, in the ordinary sense OF the term He desir
ed 10 make few remarks come few points
which. in fact, mainly referred TO his own personal
position, which he was we'll aware was Of little con
sequence To anybody; although self was a topic
on ~hich men were supposed to be able 10 speak
huently.
IL " us known to the Senate that during the past
winter his health had been decidedly indifferent
and at beet always vnryiDg. He had not paItic-
pated in the business OF the Senate except very
slightly, and still ess had be participated in any
arrangements or intrigues touching the P'esiden.
tial election. Yet he found, humble an individual
he was, that he wa. made the subject OF
newspaper speculation and comment. Ii had
been his habit throughout life that all ques-
tions Of this character TO be distinctly under
F,
that here after misunderstanding may Ia Ike place.
In regard to the next Presidential election, he
should very probably stand prepared to support the
nominee oi the Wing Convention. He proiessed
TO be party man, and should act upon those prin
cplt5 which he preferred. He should yield, he
wGs called upon 10 do four years ago, against his
judgment, and against all his inclinations, to sup
port the person chosen as the nominee Bot, while
he should probably do this, he had his prefer
cnces now, as he had four years ago. That pre-
ference implied no dereliction of principle upon
his part, nor any departure from or modhca
ton whatsoever OF the principles that he had
steadily maintained tor now nearly thirty years,
in both branches Of the National Legislature. He
knew, II he should go in particular direction,
q at there were conservatives OF what
tsemed the peculiar institution OF the South, in
both North and South, who ina gined that man
was uniaithul TO them, was untrue to them, if he
did no, happen TO tread in the path indicated by
them He was old enough, II not wise enough, to
aci upon the Suggestions OF his own understand
ing; and " Use or unwise, he should probably do go
without fear, favor, or atfecuon-reward, or hope
otreward- unintimidated by power, uBseduced by
the Establishments of fattery. In expressing the
preference which he entertained, he knew that he
should differ from the constituency he represen ted
st!ll he could not for that abandon what in
his judgment, be should think proper and
right. He looked forward TO personal rewards
at the hands Of the people; his purPtse 10 retire
from public life.
He was not now, nor did he expect TO be, can
ii late for any office He wanted nothing. asked
for nothing, either for himself or for his.
He understood. from unmistakable evidence,
that the people of his State unquestonsbly prefer
red the present President for the nomination for
the succession. This preference was not bis pre-
ference. But he should If it was so decided, do
he had four years ago, yield his preference when
another should be selected
He knew that this expression of preference for
another individual would break harshly upon the
cara Of the friends Of the Administration here,
well as in North Carolina. But his duty was 10
ale h the he ma of D.
judgment. The people Of North Carolina were
averse TO the renewal here of the agitation of all
those exciting subjects which had engrossed pub
lie attention much within late years, that they
would reluctantly bestow their support upon any
one no directly or indirectly would favor
courage renewal Of that agitation. In this he and
the people Of North Carolina did not differ. No
onLe htened patriot could desre 10 zee the country
again pass through the scenes of strife. agitation
and excitement which took place IN lo49 and so He
prayed God that toe country might never again be
called upon TO witness such scenes.
he thought that as much had been done here in
Washington TO promote agitation throughout the
country as had ever been done by the abOitionists
Of the North the disunionsts OF another section
He mad no sympathy or feeling with those who
would revive that agitation.
But he thought there was man who upon this
subject could present as clean u ball Of health
any other one. That man was Winfield Scott.
General Scott was his first choice for the Presis
dcuCy, and II he should be the nominee OF the
Wing party, he had lttle fear Of the result He
knew how hard IT was for hinl-without patronage.
without official inluence-to get the nomination
against the power OF the Administration. which
Yields IN lite support the influence Of one hundred
thousand otbcehOdeTs and their friends, amounting
altogether TO perhaps hall million OF supporters
IL the Administration should use unscrupulousy
this power, II would be, be knew, almost impossi-
be to obtain a nomination against il. But he
knew that the present President would use neither
that any other power uDscrupulOusly.
he desired To- express as his hrm conviction, that
upon the subject Of reopening agitation the
slavery question, General Scott could present
clean bill Of health az either the President, Mr.
Webster. or MIR. Clay. He then referred TO the
personal crertions made by General Scott during
the tendency OF the Compromise measures to ef
feet their passage az settle mcnt Of the agiatinC
sut iccts they embraced. While others paused and
Scott was hrm and unshrinking, at
that time, In the advocacy Of those measures.
lie did not pretend TO say that General Scott sp-
proved Of every thing contained IN these sew
eral scts; very far from it. He (Mr. NJ did
not approve Of thosc measures in all their de-
tsils, did he believe any other member Of Con-
gress approved Of them without objection 10 some
ono feature or another IN come Of them. In
this particular h's own sentiments and tbose Of
General Scott accorded entirely. He was national
in all his feelings lie desired no triumph 10y the
North over the south, or the South over the North
He desired the settlement 10 be upon broad
tioual grounds.
re then pointed out the objections TO Masking an
approval OF the whole Of the Compromise acu
part OF any PLATFORM.
E7He alluded 20 the personal merits and qualifica-
Mons Of General Scott suiting him for the Pres.
dcrcy. fIc said thst II not the highest ability
that was required In the civil governor; IL vOuld
BE uuiortunste for the world II II 80. and par
uculsrly unfortunate for this American world
Bot right intentions, sound heart, steadincss Of
purpose, and good common sense in the ruler.
all that vac necessary 20 make this people happy.
prosperous, and glorious. These qualifications
General Scott pOssessed In an eminent degree
lie then advs rted - the question Of availability,
and said that fJr more than a year and a half his
unwavering conviction had been that General
Scott the only Wing In the country ~bo could
he elected President Of the United States by the
cottages Of the people. lie th,n referred 20 the
sttt mpts which rad been made 90 cripple and dam
age the csusc Of General Scott by allying him with
Freesoilers and AboiuOnisis. This be declared
could not be done. No Freesoiler in the country
could cslC uate upon bic becoming an instrument
Of that party lie could never be made the instrU-
Iucnt OF faction, North or South. lie believed bc
we the only Wing In the Union who bad any
chs nco u election 90 the Presidency.
IL again referred 10 the interest taken by Gene
ral Scott in the passage Of the Compromise He
alluded aso and gave great credit to Mr.. Chss for
he crertiOns on the Committee OF Thirteen; and,
10 reference 90 the probable contest between the
two fJr the Presidency, was satisfied the former
would obtain another victory like those gained al
Chsrubusco, Chepultepec, and all other battle
a. IL srt.tr 4. no mad fak