The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-16


PERSONAL AHD PaxaipEsyiAL EXPLANATIONS.
Mr. MAN0UM, agreeably 10 the notice which
he gave Yesterday, asked the indulgence of the
Senate 10 make an explanation mainly in refer
sncs to his own personal position. He had been
miuspresented in the newspapers, and II was due
TO himscf aud his constituents that he should
make this statement.
In regard TO the next Presidential election, he
should very likely stand prepared TO support the
Whig 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. TWAS bis purpose to retire
from public life, and he was not a 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-
tiaI chair AZ their fIst choice. That was not ex-
actlv his position. He stood where he stood
four years ago. His first choice for the Presi-
dency was Winfield Scott, and IL he was nominal
cd he had little fear Of the result.
He proceeded TO state the grounds OF this pref
erence for Scott over Fillmore, or Webster, or any
other Of the candidates who had been named. He
stood recommended to the support OF the party
by his distinguished talen and by his renowned
military achievements. He was sound upon the
compromise question. He was as national IN his
politics az any man who had been named for the
Presidency. He would scorn to acquire tri-
umph Of one section over another, and let him
say that when any man attempted to Identity the
hero of Churusbusco and Chspultepec with Abo-
litionists, no Abolitionist believed he told the
truth He was moreover the only available can :
didate in the Wing party. He would venture the
opinion that there was not an intelligent person
within the hearing Of his voice. who had turned
his attention to the subject, who believed that
either Of the other gent men, who had been
named as Wing candidates, could get half the
number of votes which was necessary for an cleo
ton.
the Senate to make personal explanation. In an
editorial in the New York Herald Of Sunday
morning last, 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. It was proper that
he should state that he did not attend that caucns,
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 ogo, and which
he then publicly announced. He would act with
no party which soated the compromise question
for the purpose of obtaining votes Nor would he
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 Of
Tuesday morning last, headed "Strife in the
Whie 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 clear bill OF 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 us 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 "omnibus" 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.
Mr.. GWIN believed that no man could say that
Scott was in favor Of executing the fugitive slave
law, az President Fillmore had done. The reply
of the honorable Senator was what ne expected.
No man could say he was pledged to support or
opposed to the repeal Of that law.
Mr.. MANGUM said he spoke upon individual!
responsibility He believed General Scott would
execute all the laws of the land. Let him inquire
if the gentleman would vote for General Scott If
he pledged himself to support the fugitive slave
law?
Mr.. GWIN would answer the gentleman
frankly. If the Democratic nominee was not IN
favor of sustaining the fugitive slave law, ne
shoald oppose him. But there was no doubt
about any Of the candidates upon this point. They
would ali support it, But with regard to General
Scott, there was doubt. He wanted a letter from
him on the subject.
FRENCH sPoLIATIONs
The Senate then resumed the consideration OF
the bill to provide for the entertainment and
satisfaction OF claims Of American citizens for
spoliations committed by the French previous to
the 3lst dav Of July, 1901.
Mr.. BRADBURY addressed the Senate in re-
ply to the argument Of Mr.. FELcH, after which
the Senate proceeded to vote upon the bill.
The amendment of Mr.. BoRLAND. to strike out
the clause appropriating sum not exceeding hve
millions of dollars, was lost.
Amendments were proposed by Messrs DODGE,
OF Iowa, and HALE, and re ected.
Amendments by Messrs. BArARD and DAWSON
were adopted, and the bill was engrossed by
vote of % to 10.
On motion, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
THURSDAY, April Is, 1852.