Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1872-06-20
sneech of Senator Ransom.

In the United States Senate, on thu
10th instant Mr.. Buckingham, of Connec
ticut, made few remarks III opposition Il
spending bill removing the disabilities o
Ex-Governor Vance, which elected from
General Ransom, of. North Carolina, the
following eloquent speech:
One word in reply to the Honorable
Senator from Connecticut. Let Inc say
that have formed the acquaintance ol
that Senator, and have been impressed
with his courteous bearing 70 gentlemen
Oh this floor and his apparent desire to dt
right. But let me tell thaS Senator that
the sentiments which he has just given
utterance to are not the sentiments tc
cultivate the peace and harmony Of the
country, or to exdlt its character in the
opinion OF the world Let me say to the
Senator and to the country that this great
Republic cannot afford TO be wanting lii
magnanimity.
recall no instance in the history o.
civilized nations when the character or tht
interest of people has suffered from the
exercise of magnanimity, that highest
virtue in individuals and States. | mus
say that the Senator docs not comprehen,.
the genius and temper Of the South. They
are a brave, generous, fair people, and the
spirit and principle OF honor are, as they
have ever been, very dear to their hearts.
Goyernn ent, and for fOw years manifest
ed, under unspeakable trials, their devoted
virtues, that if they did not make thelr
efforts successful, at least vindlcatcd them
from dishonor. The war is over. The
people and States Of the South have IN
Good faith acknowledged their allegiance
10 the Government Of the United States.
andnothing butinjustice, suspicion, land MS
trust on the part Of the North can inter-
iere with the harmony so essential to ma:
tional prosperity.
The South desires peace and justice,
liberty and equal rights Constitutions
Government. With these the Union will
be perpetual. 1t is true, Mr.. President,
that with the people of my State andher
Southern sisters I took up arms against
the Government, and stood faithfully
trust by their fortunes until all hope was
extinguiished. Nor do l blush to name II
here. 1t is not proper, nor have the de-
sire, to discuss the right or wrong OF these
events which have now passed INTO histo-
nv. prefer, greatly prefer, as our people
do, to unite with all patriotic men IN heal
inc all our wounds and bending ali our
energies to promote and secure the peace,
happiness, and honor Of the whole Amen-
can people. And let me here in my p!act
say that if danger should from any quar-
ter.threaten this country-if' war With
England, with France, with Spain, With
any of the great Powers. Of the earti
should unhappily colne-l trust shoui
be found standfng with my gallant irlen>,
the Senator from Missouri (Ir. Blair and
the equally devoted Senator from limo.
(Mr. Logan) in defending the honor ant'
the flag Of the country.
And let me say to the Senator iron.
Connecticut that Ii you will do the Sou;.
;nstice, and trouble Should unhapplly coli..
mon the country, you will find bra''
shirts among that noble people iocIL.-
their shields with rhc gallant lhen OF sh'
North in defence Of the common honl'
and soil and that the same high courag'
and heroic devotion and mistaken fort
tnde which have ever characterized ori
people, will be again displayed under the
1laq that Washington first unturled. Lei
me again say to the Senator from Con,
necticut that this great Republic will be
cherish its honor, its great name, ana rs
mighty destiny by TING exercise now 9
insfice, magnanimity, generous and aiiee,
tibuate confidence towards the people o
The Sonih