Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-04-21
CONGRESS

I
the floor on the subject of the Presidency. II
Mr.. Msngum said that he had no speech to make, |
in the ordinary sense of the term. He desired TO
make few remarks on some few points, which, in |
fact, mainly referred to his personal position,
which he was well aware was of little consequence
to any body although self was topic on which men
were supposed to be able to speak Auently.
1t was known to the Senate that during the past
winter his health had been decidedly Indifferent and
at best always varying. He had not participated in
the business OF the Senate except very slightly, and
still less had he participated in any arrangements or
intrigues touching the Presidential election Yethe
found, humble an individual he was, that he was
made the subject of newspaper speculation and COM
men 1t had been his habit throughout life that on
all questions of this character be distinctly under
stood and he desired to explain himself perfectly,
that hereafter no misunderstanding may take place
In regard to the next Presidential election he should
very probably stand prepared support the nominee
OF the Wing Convention. He protested to be party
man, and should act upon those principles which he
preferred He should yield, he called upon
to do four years ago. against his judgment, and against
all his lncnatIons, to support the person chosen as
the nominee Butt while he should probably do this,
he had his preferences now, he had years ago.
That preference implied derelicton of principle
upon his part, any departure from modification
whatsoever, of the principles that he had steadily
maintained for nearly thirty years, in both bran
ches of the National Legislature. He knew, if he
should 60 in particular direction, that there were
conservatives Of what was esteemed the peculiar in
situations OF the South, in both N orth and South, who
Imagined mat man unfaithfu TO them, was un-
true to them, he did not happen tread in the path
indicated by them. He was old enough, if not wise
enough to act upon the suggestions of his own I'M
Outstanding and wise unwise, he should probably
do so without fear, favor, aection-reward hope
/ OF reward-unntimidated by power, unseduced by
! the Establishments of fattery. In expressing the
preference which he entertained, he knew that he
should differ from the constituency he represented
still he could not for that abandon what, in
his judgment, he should think proper and right.
He looked forward personal rewards at the hands
Of the people; his purpose was to retire from public
| life.
| He was not now, nor did he expect to be, candi-
date 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 uDquestionaby preferred the
present President for the nomination for the
sion. This preference not his preference. But
he should, if it was decided, do as he had four
years ago, yield his preference when another should
be selected.
I He knew that this expression of a preference for
another individual would break harshly upon the ears
Of the friends of the Administration here we'll as
in North Carolina. But his duty to speak the
TRUTH and the mature convictions Of his judgment.
The people of North Carolina were averse to the
renewal here of the agitation of all those exciting
subjects which had engrossed public attention so
much within late years, that they would reluctantly
bestow their support upon any who directly
indirectly would favor encourage renewal OF that
agitation. In this he and The people of North Caro-
lima did not differ. No enlightened patriot could de-
sire 10 see the country again pass through the
Of strlfe agitation, and excitement which took place
in 1919 and so He prayed God that the country
might never again be called upon to witness such
scenes.
He thought that much had been done here in
Washington TO promote agitation throug bout the
country had been done by the aGolitionsts of
the North the disunionsts Of another section. He
had no sympathy or feeling with those who would re-
vive that agitation.
But he thought there was a man who upon this SUBJ
ect could present clean bill of health any 9TH
er That was Winfield Scott. Gen. Scott
was his first choice for the Presidency, and if he
should be the nominee of the Wing party, he had lit
ee fear of the result. He knew how hard il for
thim-without patronage, without official influence
TO get the nomination against the power of the ADJ
minstration which yields in its support the influence
of hundred thousand offceholders and their
friends, amounting altogether perhaps half mill
ion of supporters. Ii the Administration should
unscrupuousy this power, ii would be, he knew, al
most impossible to obtain a nomination against it.
But he knew that the present President would
neither that any other power unscrupulously.
He desired to express, his firm conviction that
upon the subject Of reopenng agitation the slavery
question: Gen. Scott could present clean a bill of
health either the President, Mr. Webster, MIR.
Clay. He then referred to the personal exertions
made by Gen. Scott during the tendency of the Com
promise measures to effect their passage settle
ment of the agiating subj ects they embraced. While
others paused and hesitated, Scott firm and
shrinking, at that time, in the advocacy of those
measures. He did not pretend say that Gen. Scott
approved of every thing contained in those several
acts very far from it. He (Mr. J did approve
of those measures in all their details, did lie be-
eve any, other member of Congress approved of them
without objection TO some feature another in
some of them. In this particular his sentiments
and those Of Gen. Scott accorded entirely. He
national in all his feelings. He desired triumph
by the North the South, the South over the
North. He desired the settlement to be upon broad
national grounds.
He then pointed out the objections to making
approval of the whole of the Compromise acts as
part of any platform.
He alluded to the personal merits and qualifications
of Gen. Scott suiting him for the Presidency. He
said thai it was not the highest ability that was re-
quired in the civil governor it would be unfortunate
for the world if SO, and particularly unfortunate
for this American world. But right intentions, a
sound heart seadiness of purpose, and good common
sense in the ruler all that necessary to make
this people happy, prosperous, and orious. These
qualifications General Scott possessed in eminent
degree.
He then adverted TO the question of availability, and
said that for than year and a half his unwav-
ering conviction had been that Gen. Scott was the
only Wing in the country who could be elected Pre-
sident Of the United States by the sufrages of the
people. He then referred to the attempts which had
been made to cripple and damage the cause of Gen.
Scott by allying him with Freesoilers and Abo-
litionsts. This he declared could net be done. No
Freesoer in the country could calculate upon his be-
coming an instrument of that party. He could never
be made the instrument of faction, North South.
He beloved he was the only Wing in the Union who
had any chance of election to the Presidency.
He again referred TO the interest taken by General
Scott in the passage Of the ompromse. He alluded
also and gave great credit to Mr.. Cass for his exer-
~ Il -afo.