The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-23
From the .aIoboms State Register
SENATOR CLEMENS
Letter fren Hen. ,. b. Daker, state Soma.
tor from Russen Connty.
CRAWFORD, March l, 1851


ter from RusseM Csnnty.
CRAwFoRD, March l, 1861.
GENTLEMEN; | have recently seen two letters
going the rounds Of the secession papers, charg-
ing Jere. Clemens with having pledged himself
to the Wing caucus on the eve of his election
to sustain, If elected, Gen. TayIor's administra-
ton. The first Of those letters was written by
jeff. Buford and the other by Paul Mccall
Major Buford has also thought proper TO use
my name to sustain in part the charge, in con-
necion with letter which appeared in the Co
lumbus Enquirer saon after Col. Clemens was
elected, over the signature ct 3D." the writing
Of which he attributes TO me. Under these cir
cumstances, justice to myself, as well as to Col
Clemens, demands reply. The charges thus
specifically made by these gentlemen are the
only communications have seen which, in my
Judgment, demand contradiction | was a
Wing member of the Legislature of so, and
was member Of .he Wing caucus about which
these gentlemen write. was chosen and acted
as secretary to the caucus. The papers con
tanning the proceedings of the caucus are in my
possession.
Major Buford, in his letter, says
GA small strip, containing written pledge
was brought in the caucus by Mr.. Rip Davis, OF
words-If elected to the United States Senate
promise to support the administration Of Gen.
Taylor.
(Signed) JERE. CLEMENS"
Mr.. Mccall. in his letter, says:
"Mr. Rip Davis, of Limestone, produced a
small scrap of paper, and read it, as near as
can remember, in these words-'If elected to
the United States Senate ! pledge myself to
support the administration of Gen. Taylor.
(Signcd) JERE CLEMENS"
So far as my statement goes, shall dispose
of these charges pery plainly and in felo ,oords
I STATE positively and emphaiicaliy that no such
strip of paper as the one described, was produced
or read 10 The caucus, in my hearing, nor was
there one read "nearly or exactly like IT," was
in the room when the caucus was organized and
remained until il adjourned. ] am quite cert in
saw and heard everything of interest that
TRANSFERRED yet | will not permit myself to be.
lieve that Major Buford or MIR. Mccall would
knowingly and wilfully make a statement gross
ly untrue can only attribute the error in
their recollection to u treacherous mem ry,
which error has probably been confirmed by the
existence of n strong party bias against Colonel
Clemens. They have evidently, in this case,
overreached themselves.
Mr.. Mccall says he supported Mr.. Clemens
10Th e.rtreme reluctance, as ,Uas ,oeH kno,on" tfc.
Let us see if he did. Among the papers con
tanning the proceedings of the caucus, | find one
in words as follows, to wit "Names of those
,oho wiA pledge 10 rote for Col. Clemens" Fifty
names are signed to this pledge. The SAITH
name is +" Butord." and the ADD name is Nc
Can" Nobody forced them into this pledge
They took it of their own free will. 1t does
not then occur to me that either of them sup
ported Mr.. Clemens with extreme reluctance
Several caucuses were held by the Wings dur
ing these elections, at one of which Major Bu-
ford and MIR. Mccall pledged themselves in
ori.ing, to support any Northern Democrat
who would bring strength enough to the Wings
to elect their nominee, and yet Mr. Mccall says
he supported Mr.. Clemens 18th erireme re
luctance." Maj. Buford and Mr.. Mccall have
filed their declaration and have alledged that
Col. Clemens did pledge, in writing, if elected,
to support Gen. Tayior's administration To
this alleg It on, again reply: Colonel Clemens
made no such pledge 10 the caucus nor did he
pledge himself 10 sustain or support The Wing
party"
Now to the letter written by "B" to the
Columbus Enquirer. The portion Of that let
ter necessary to be noticed, reads thus "Ab0ut
fifty Of the Wings voted for Col. Clemens
The result of this election will I have no doubt,
prove to be the tallest lick the Wings have
struck since the organization Of the State =
There are the best reasons for believing that
Mr.. Clemens will support the administration,
and, not only 80, but will go further am not
at liberty to write all know upon this subject;
suffice it to say we have accomplished much.
The chiyalry are'completely discounted Their
brightest star has been eclipsed, and it may be-
their sun has gone down among clouds to rise
no more"
wrote this letter soon after the election Bv
it intended to be understood as meaning that
it was a tall lick for the Wings, because |
thought the result would put the chivalry, Fitz
patrick and his friends-and the old PANEL,
Clemens and his friends-by the ears that il
would open still wider the breach already exist
ing between these two wings of the Democratic
party, ard would consequently offer the Wings
a much better chance to secure office. | be-
lieved Col. Clemens would sustain the admins
tration, because he had said as had been in.
formed, in his public speeches in North Alabama,
and pubicly in the streets of Montgomery, that
tho great question was the controversy between
the North and South, growing out of the insti
tuition OF slavery, and that in all probability this
would continue to be the controlling question
during Gen. Taylor's administration that Gen.
Taylor being by birth and interest Southern
man, would most likely be found on the side OF
his section; if so, upon this question he would
give him his support This much believe Col.
Clemens not only said but has written. be.
lieved Col. Clemens would go further than merely
give 10 the administration luke warm and cold
support on this great question. | felt assured
if the course of the government was truly
Southern, he would sustain il with all the force
of his powerful mind. al.o believed he would
open his battery upon The chivalry, the result of
which might possibly inure to the benefit of
the Wings. | C rtainly never meant to be un.
derstood as saying or meaning that Mr.. Clemens
had made an unconditional pledge to support
the administration. knew nothing of any
such pledge further than already stated Neither
did | suppose he would sustain the Wing party
as a party, nor did ! think he himself would be
come Wing. said 81 was not at liberty to
write all knew upon this subject" and most
as,uredly was not at liberty to write in detail
the modus operandi by which the election of
Col. Clemens was secured The resolutions,