Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-06-27
SPEECH OF SENATOR RANSOM.

+. In the United States Senate, on the 10th in.
stant, Mr.. Bucking ham, Of Connecticut, made
q few remarks in opposition to a pending bill
removing the disabilities of ex.Gov. Vance,
which ELECTED from General Ransom, of North
Carolina, the following eloquent speech:
One word in reply to the Honorable Sena.
tor, from Connecticut Let me say that l
have formed the acquaintance of that Senator,
and have been impressed with his courteous
bearing to gentlemen on this floor and his
apparent desire to do right But let me tell
that Senator the sentiments which be has just
given utterance to are not the sentiments to
cultivate the peace and harmony Of the coun.
try, or to exalt 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 in msgnanimity.
recall no instance in the history Of civil
lied nations when the character Of the interest
of people has suffered from the exercise of
magnanimity, that highest virtue in individ-
uals and States. 1 must say that the Senator
does not comprehend the genius and temper
ofthe people Of the South. They are brave,
generous, fair people, and the spirit and prin-
ciple Of honor are, as they have ever been,
very dear to their hearts. 1t is true they took
up arms against the Government, and for four
years manifested, under unspeakable trials,
their devoted virtues. that if they did not
make their efforts successful, at least vindica-
ted them from dishonor The war is over.
The people and States of the South have in
good faith acknowledged their allegiance to
the Government of the United States; nothing
but injustice, suspicion, and distrust on the
part of the North can interfere with the har.
mony so essential to national prosperity.
The South desires peace and justice, liberty
and equal rights; a constitutional government.
With these the Union will be perpetual. 1t
is true, MI. President, that with the people Of
nv State md her Southern sisters / took up
arms against the Government, and stood faith
fully, trust, by their fortunes until all hope
was extinguished. Nor do I blush to name it
here. 1t is not proper, nor have | the desire,
to discuss the right or wrong of these events
which have now passed into history. l prefer,
greatly prefer, as our people do, to unite with
all patriotic men in healing all our wounds
and bending all our energies to promote and
secure the peace, happiness, and honor OF the
whole American people. And let me here in
my place say that if danger should from any
quarter threaten this country-if war with
England, with France, with Spain, with any
of the great powers Of the earth should un-
happily come-I trust should be found stan
ding with my gallant friend the Senator from
Missouri (Mr. Blair) and the equally devoted
Senator from Illinois (Mr. Logsn) in defend
ing the honor and the flag Of the country.
And let me say to the Senator from Con-
necticut that if you will do the South justice,
and trouble should unhappily come upon the
country, you will find brave spirits among that
noble people locking their shields with the
gallant men of the North in defence Of the
common home and soil, and that the same
high courage and heroic devotion and unsha.
ken fortitude which have ever characterized
our people, will be again displayed under the
flag that Washington first unfurled. Let me
again say to the Senator from Connecticut
that this great Republic will best cherish its
honor, its great name, and its mighty destiny
by the exercise now of justice, magnanimity,
generous and affectionate confidence toward
the people of the South. a ~..