Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-09-20
Hon. VIZ. Man gum.


We copy the following article in regard to
the death of this distinguished gentleman from
the Hillsboro' IN. c. "Rccorder:"
Died, at his residence. near Rcd Mountain.
Orange county. on the Tth inst, the Honora-
able Willie ?. Mangum, aged near seventy
years.
The demise of so eminent i citizen demands
of US SOME brief memorial Of q life connected
for near . third Of the past century, with only
occasional Interruptions, with the public his
tory of the country. Commencing his career
IS an advocate ut the bar of the 4th circuit, in
the period of it's highest renown, he was
thrice a member of the State Legislature from
his naive county Of Orange at three differ
ent times appointed Judge of the Superior
Courts Of Law and Equity; twice elected to
the House of Representatives in the Congress
of tho United States; for three full terms ne
represented North Carolina in the Senate OF
the Union, and for the latter half OF. the term
Of Mr.. TYLER in the Presidency, from 1912 to
TO ls45, he was the President OF the Senate,
Succeeding upon the death Of the Hon. Ssrnl
l. Southland, of New Jersey,) and, though in
times Of high party excitement, acquitted hun
self to the general appreciation of that august
assembly. In 1886 he received the vote OF
South Carolina for the Presidency of the Uni
ted States. in opposition to Mr.. Van Euren.
Mr.. Mangum was 4 native OF the county OF
Orange, and born, we believe, in 1872. His
preparatory studies, prior to his entrance at
the University of the State, were pursued IN ms
own neighborhood, and ut a later stage under
the Reverend Doctor McPhceters in the Ra-
leigh Academy. lie was some time, also, an
assistant teacher in this Institution, and was
perhaps indebted to this employment for that
neat penmanship and exact observance of the
rules OF elegant composition which character
iYed all his writings. lie received his first de-
gree at the University in 1873, studied the Law
in the Office of the lutte Honorable Duncan
Cameron, then a Judge ofthc Superior Courts,
and a neighbor Of his father. Upon his admis.
sion to the bar. he at once acquired a practice
which gave MIN both profit and reputation, III
somuch that within five years he was elected
to the bench. This he quilted the year fol-
lowing, and resumed his practice until 1873,
when he was returned to the House Of Repre-
sentatircs Of the United States. From this
time, although he was twice afterwards u
judge, and for t%o r three years at tn" !Hr,
his attention was mainly devoted to po.iIcS.-
His powers as a public speaker, his in>lnatc nc
quaintance with the motive; unL habits Of
thought of the people, and az elegant person
and address gave him nigh distinction as an
advocate, and general acceptance as = Judge
But it was in the deliberate and popular ~
sembly, the congregations Of the masses Of
men, and above all. in the social intercourse,
and conversations If public men, that his tai
ents, his inclinations, his habit. and tastes,
cmincn:ly fitted him to shine. In the House Of
Representatives, with Clay, Randolph, McLane,
McDutGc, Storrs, Buchanan and other leading
spirits, in 1928 and %, re took ! conspicuous
part in the drbatcs, and well sustained the
character Of the State, in tho public ~counscls.
After his election 10 the Senate which he first
s~ntcre,l in 1880, he made a few elaborate Efforts,
but partook in the running debates, and was re-
cosniged as one Of its distinguished numbers,
when Clay, Calhoun. Webster, Wright. For
sYthe, Clayton, Benton, Leigh, and a galaxy Of
Parliamentary talent, not seen in this country
before or since, Tcrc members " that body
In popular eloquencs, such a. is addressed to
the people in their primary assemblies, Mr..
M.nrum has had but few equals in our conntry,
and il NAV well be doubted whether Clay,
Crittcnden, Curwin or Preston would have
borne from hiun The palm in that field OF orato-
~. His .al. and Commanding figure, always
brcomingly dressed. his rich aTd melodious
voice, his flowing periods, !ssplendid image
~, often gorgeous and no. in the best taste OF
the rhetorical critic, but opposite, and dazzling
to the less acute, his sympathetic nature, and
perfect acquaintance with all the motives OF
human action, give him an Almost lncSmGric
wag over The multitude.
This influence was equally well kept up IN
his style of address, and conversations, not
merely on the hastings, but in a~ssrmh!agrS of
statesmen and cuurtiers. HIS cOlOquial powerS.
his genial and social temper, his spirited and
appropriate remarks, often illustrated and
adorned by tasteful literary ~alluSiol,, gave 4
charm 10 his familiar discourse, and rendered
him an admired ard agreeable companion in
any society. This. with native genius and
s~agacity, end 4 natural command over men,
gave him weight in the consultations Of his
associates, and in the deliberations Of the
Senate; for his habits were far from stu
dtous, and IS be advanced in life be seemed
to avoid elaborate discussions. In the licrcest
s~trifas Of party, his generous bearing and
tine manners preserved 20 him cordial rcla-
tiuns with political opponents. and to Ran
dolph or Clay, Benton Or Preston, Webster,
King or Wright, lie was alike an agreeable
talker ard listener. For several years past,
Nr. Mangnm had been Frustrated by paraly-
sis, and greatly stnicted by disease. which de.
pri7ri him Of the power Of speech. lie re-
tain.d, however, his mental faculties, and took
a deep interest in the current events
Of the struggle in which the Country
is engaged, until the fall OF his only
son, q Lieutenant in the North Carolina
State TrOonS (ubIu,Ii i'm honor Or the cherished
friend of bis PALMER days, William Preston, Of
South Carulinl,) from q wound received IN the
gallant discharge Of duty, in the triumphant
battle At Manassas plains on the 3lst OF July.
Overwhelmed by this distressing bereavement,
he seemed 10 surrender his hold on the things
Of this life, and welcome the grave. 4 widow
anil three daughters. whose grief is shared by
all his %neIghbors, and a wide circle Of friends
and admirers Throughout the country, survive
him.