Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-24
In THE SENATE, ARM Is, 1852.

In THE SENATE, APRIL Is, 1852.
Mr. MANGUM said Mr. President, indicated yes
teray purpose ask by the courtesy Of the Senate
that might be permitted to speak matter which
am aware is strictly in order this morning. hope
that the consent of the Senate will be given.
The PRESIDENT The Senator will proceed unless
objected TO,
There was no objection.
Mr. MANGUM Mr. President, have no speech to
make, in the ordinary acceptaton of that term desire
to make few remarks touching briefly as may upon
few points which, fact mainly reference my
own personal position which, am aware, is of little
sequence any body but myself-a topic which
supposed TO speak fuently and but few wisely
] shall be as brief as cam
1t is known the Senate that during the past winter
my health has been, may say bad but at best very
able and have participated all in the business Of
the Senate, except occasionally and very sghtlystil
less have participated in any arrangements ntrgues
touching Presidential questions any thing of that kind
Yet find, humble individual as am, that am made
the subject Of newspaper specuatons represented
rousy and conh.ctingy at different points. However
small may be the taper which hold am unwilling that
every wind should play upon 1t and extngnish it. de-
sire to be understood correctly.
1t has been my habit throughout life all occasions
of this character be doubted and desire, if
shall succeed in explaining myself perfectly, that may
here doubted these subjects In regard to the
next Presidency SHALL very probably prepared to
support the nominee of the Wing Convention profess to
be party man. and shall act upon that principles shall
yield, compelled to do four years ago, against
my judgment if necessary against all my own incl
nations, support, did then, most strenuousy, the
nominee of the Wing Convention.
But, while shall probably do this have my prefer
cnce had the same four years ago and that prefer
implies dereliction of principle part nor
any departure from or modification Whatsoever or tne
principles that have steadily maintained for now nearly
thirty years. in both branches of the National Legislature
know if in particular direction that we have con-
both North and South of what is esteemed the
peculiar institution Of the South who imagine that man
is unfahful them, is them if he does not
happen tread in the path indicated by them am old
enough if not wise enough upon the suggestions
under ndipp and nwlSp hall
probably do without fear favor, affection, reward
hope of rewardunnmidated by the menaces of power,
unseduced by the Establishments Of fattery
Upon this interesting question, unhappy am inform
cd and believe, that differ regards my first choice
from portion Of the constituency whom have the honor
represent. 1t has not been thing for me, in
the Of public service, differ profoundly upon
several occasions from my constituents They have been
forbearng and kind and that the ground of many gre
and regrets when my Of public duty impeed me to
such difference Perhaps the boldest actionso pub
lie life have been those in regard to which these differ
have arisen, and have, in the long rum given
whatever little strength may have had at home shall
continue pursue the that my judgment shall
indicate the best for their interest safety happiness
and prosperity during the short that the relations
subsistng between myself and my constituents shall
continue.
Ny purpose is to retire from public life can
didate for nothing; do expect to be again
candidate for any thing During nearly thirty years of
service in both branches Of the National Legislature
have sought employment under any Executive
der any power should always feel sort Of humilia
ton in giving up the kind confidence Of whole State to
hold any oice however exalted and lustrous, by the
feeble Of the will of one have sought
il for myself for mine. shall never do l will
also say that have felt of humiliation in
appealing my constituents the people of my State
and if successful that has invariably produced
upon the impression Of sense of my unworthness
inability render this service compatible with the degree
of confidence which has been reposed in
should feel any sort Of humiliation to appeal
TO them for any place OF honor trust profit if they
had it in their bestowa, though am candidate, and,
in all probability never shall be again. even for the favor
of people who and dearer to my own heart
than any others and trust the whole american family
10
understand, from evidences which cannot question
that majority Of the people Of North Carolina prefer the
present President for the succession their first choice
That is exactly my condition. stand where stood
four ago prefer another as my first choice This
diversity Of opinion between my constituents and myself
can lead trust results that may be detrimental Il
the public interests know perfectly well that the avowa
Of this preference on my part will CRATE harshy on the
the friends OF the present Executive both here
elsewhere. But according to the custom of my whole
life feel it 10 be my duty to speak truly my honest and
sincere convictions will speak unpleasant things
to my constituents, if believe the public interests re-
qure it.
Sir viii further say that believe that the people Of
North Carolina to all the agntions that
have existed here upon particular subject and all the
agaons of local and sectional character Of every kind
whatsoever that they would very reluctantly besow their
support upon any who either directly indirectly
courages such agitation. In that respect do differ
at all for hold that enlightened patriot de-
sire this country pass again through such terrible
such alarming all witnessed during lS49
1850 pray God that such may never happen again il
this ccuntry.
know very well that there are certain gentlemen wht
make light of it; who supposed, affected TO suppose
that evil likely result from that agitation Wit
considered that the Union safe; who, to concea
their unpstrotic and traorous devices affected to
slider il safe Yes, sir if they had been at and in
storm perhaps they might have made light Of it wher
they regained terra ra but they not less alright
ed, perhaps during the time when the elements were
beating and struggling and warning above, beneath, and
around them The wses in this country did think
there was great and imminent peril thought then
the nalities there is yet 6nalty the disposition
TO agitae. dsapprove the whole of it. think that in
this burning focus Of faction at the city Of Washington
quite much is done 70 produce this agitation is pro-
dnced either by the Abotonists of the North or the dis
unionists of another portion Of the Union have nc
sympathy with either Of them. have never been heard
TO speak factous spirit upon this delicate question
within my recollection. II is my purpose 10 do il
Instead Of preeng the present President Of the Uni.
ted States my first choice, prefer Winfield Scott and
If he shall be the nominee, have little fear Of the result
know how difficult il is for a man, powerless wtbou,
patronage, and without official influence to get nomna
ton against the power Of Administration which car
wheel into the ranks hundred thousand oicehoaers
and dependents perhaps the number of half million
know that IL they unscupulously this power vii
be ne1tto impossible to obtain nomination against them
The present President is entitled the declaration frcr
me that believe he would scorn the use Of such means
But what Of his friends might do should not IN
dertake vouch for. Their activity, premature an
somewhat absurd, as thought TO furnish n FIJI