Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-02-09
ADDRESS OF T. L. CLINGMAN.
(GOncZuded,)

of duty brought forward by Mr.. V lnton' OF 81
While the increase was large all things,
have been particularly onerous on iron. The lax on
railroad bar would have heen more man " ~ i:
the cost Of the iron for the roads tha' i>"i
was then constructing, would nave O'r" l"I, "
about five hundred thousand doIIa'S' i\e'ei %
tho n,nrosi,ion came within a vote or two Of being
adopted | opposed it with one "ther w MIG tneilDei'
viz nv colleague the Hon. Joseph i. Caldwell
On that occasion were denounced tor going d.
et The rest of our party, and the organ Of The man
6Cactrrcrs in this city, and other papers OF the same
stamp, called upon the people OF North Carolina 10
read us lesson. Unfortunately, however, Tor thelr
wishes, when the Legislature met the next wln'e''
it passed, with unexpected unanImIty' resolutions
fully sustaining us, and protesting against any III
crease Of protection TO the mining and
interests. In the February following On me Aool "
the House, while defending this line OF Poicy'
went further and took ground for repeal OF me eA
listing duty railroad lron and since theh nave y"
all proper occasions continued TO ouer arguments III
support of that view. Instead of being conSured by
nv constituents, as those interested in the continuance
of the tax have desired, l have the satisfaction OF
knowing that Legislature, al its session recently
closed, has passed, without dissenting voice, re-
solution in favor of making all railroad IRON Tree OIL
Suy Such too has been the urogress OF public oPn-
ion in this direction, that proposition has been IN
troduced at the present session by Northern w hl%
member, (Mr. Brooks of New York; in the follow
ing words: ro1,,os 70 ,be
tariff and revenue from customs, which shall be re-
ferred to select committee, with power to examine
witnesses and 10 collect testimony here and elsewhere
and with instructions TO report as soon as PoEsipie
upon the same, with bill reducing the duties on I'M
ports to such amount as may be required LOT an
economical administrator of the Government.
Here is proposition TO reduce the duties thereby
admitting that they at present TOO Nigh, and yet
il received the sanction of my colleagues, anh was
even voted for by every Wing in the House, with the
exception of some seven or eight. Upon THIS queS'
ton, therefore, though denounced two years since lot
my course, have been fully vindicated by the pro-
gress Of events.
1t is singularIy unfortunate for my assaants that
they have from time tme by the course OF things
been compelled abandon all the principle points ct
attack they have made on me. W hen took ground
against the 2lst rule, they ierceiy assaulted me- and
predicted that Congress was for the future TO be &C.
cuped with the consideration OF Abolition Peilons
The experience of eight years. without the rule, has
shown Just the reverse. Again, when allowed my
sefto be supported against Mr.. Badger and denounc-
ed the caucus system assmanaged by the CENTRAL
CLIQUE, it said that WAS politically dead, and
the organs of my opponents published obituary no.
tces of Contrary, however, to their predictions
and hopes, for the only time in my life. was elect
ed without opposition, and received a most overwhelm-
ing vote. 1t then asserted that my course IN the
had stirred up sectional feeiing and endah-
gered the success of the Wing party in the State.
But in less than two years. those opposed to me,
even farther than had done, IN asserting the
rights CT The West, and openly declared that they
would repudate all party ties in the way OF their
maintenance. IL is true, however that alter little
while, finding that this vehement was neither
likely 10 elevate them, nlure me, and being scod-
ed by the organs at the centre, they suddenly aban-
doned their new opinions and resolutions. In the
Congressional contest which soon followed mean
the last one-it was asserted by my opponents with
boldness and vehemence that looked like sincerity,
that If should be elected, nv success would encOur-
age the State of South Carolina to seceGe from the
Union, and they warned such might vote for me
to stand prepared for military draft to in the
approaching civil war. The returns from the ballot
box, however, suddenly dispeled all their fears of
of and blOOdSheu. and hear NOTHING that
score. They Immediately began TO utter complaints
and TO express apprehension that mischief would
come to the country account of my not sustaining
the Fugitive Slave Law, and supporting MeSsrs.
Fillmore and Webster, in having it executed and car
rIed out. After seeing, however, that the course
which took in the caucus that hest calculated
TO insure the execution of the law and sustain its
friends, they suddenly cooled off in their ardor, and
many of them became Indifferent TO Mr.. Fillmore
and doubted the prepriety of the Conventions en-
dorslng that measure. In fact number of Them be-
gan to agree to 60 for Gen. Scott without any com
initial on his part. Inasmuck, then these gentle
men have found themselves constantly in error in
their attacks me- they were honest and fair they
ought, by this time, to have began TO doubt their
own wisdom, at least they ought to have admitted
that they had heretofore charged me wrongfuy. In
stead of this. however, some of them. with i'll. con-
cealed modification at the failure of their former at
temPts 10 injure me, occupy themselves with the in
venting OF fresh charges just as unfounded as their
former ones, and more malignant. They seem 10 sup
pose that am too much engaged with public hus-
ness TO take the trouble conradictl the petty and
contemplate alSehoods which their industry is able
TO set atioat. and that may thus be harmed in
quarter or other. portion of the newspaper press
has also been put in equsition for this purpose. 1t
is amusing to see individuals who, as men, have not
the power 10 influence a human beinD, and whose
opinions on all subjects are held in profound contempt
BY the community in which they live, it is amusing,
say, TO witness their efforts direct the public
Judgment.
That some of these persons should complain under
the eXlStInO c1nditi0n If thi1uS hntp
Ing In the late contests been trodden under foot and
huTt, they have ght TO raise their cries and ell the
air with their lamentations. But while bemoaning
themselves, they ought at least to have exhibited
some show OF respect for truth and decency. In the
early part of the summer, they complained bitterly
that and other members of Congress, instead of at
tending to Legislative business, endeavoring to
influence the Pnblic mind in relation the Presden-
ey and debating to the people: hearing from me,
however, Tor season, the song changed, and il
was said that the people anxious know nv
opinions 1t was charged, too, that l was afraid 10
come out, and crockode were shed from grief,
lest my reputation should suffer from silence. 1t was
also charged confidently that did not intend to speak
OH me subject until the Senatorial election was over
MY letter to DR.. Mills was, however, published,
ana their predictions and charges being fasi6ed it
was forthwith affirmed that there was an understand
ing mat In consideration of my taking ground against
zen. Scott was TO be elected the Senate by the
democratic party. After the Presidential election
was over however, the members Of that party nomi-
mated MI DobbiD for that station. 1t was then said
That They had acted altogether amss, that had been
instrumental in defeating Gen. Scott and that they
oughh upon principles OF ustce, to have supported
me. 1t was also charged that had transferred N.Y.
Self over to them. Not long afterwards, however,
hal fpa, e