Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1854-07-12
GEN pockERY AND MR.. cLrNGMAN.

= we nave Deeu satisfied from the outset, says the
last Ashville News" that the political principles
estertained by Gen. Dockery are at war with those
upon which majority of the people of this District
have heretofore acted and that his principles ffair
y understood would be repudiated by the people of
this District. To show that our views upon this
subject aresnot altogether unfoundcd we publish be-
low letter, addressed to gentleman of this town,
from the Hon. T. L. Clingman, in answer to an en-
quiry, whether, if he in the District, he would
support Gen. Dockery. Here it is
House OF REPRESENTATIVES, J
Jnne 10Th, 1854
My DEAR SIR:-The enquiry in your letter is one
which have several times had occasion to answer
to friends in the District, well in conversation
with different persons at this place. III were in the
State should not think of supporting Gen. Docke-
ry. l have valid political as well as personal rca-
sons for opposing him. Want Of time only prevents
my giving at length these reasons, but may refer
to some of them.
1t is known that Gen. Dockery took the same DO
sitions that Col. Gather did in the canvass against
me in 1851. He avowcd publicly that he was ready
to vote men and money to coerce South Carolina, Tor
according to the newspaper accounts even North
Carolina, in the event OF her seeding for what she
might deem sufficient cause, &C. My position was
different, you know; and as then thought it
right, as l was sustained in it by vote of two or
three to one of the frcemcn of my district it could
hardly be expected that ] should now abandon nv
opinion and so over to Gen. Dockcry. Ircgard this
"ery issue as being more important in principle than
any oil those he is trying 10 make at this time The
South being the weaker section in point of numbers
only protect her rights in the Union BY having
1t understood that her sons will stand by hcr in the
last emergency. In fact, far as understand Gen.
DockeryS views to the relative powers and duties
of the Federal and State Governments, differ en-
tirely look upon him as having adopted the onin-
ions of the most ultra fcdcralists and consultations
lists of our day. His course upon questions connect
ed with these principles and in fact upon most prac
teal measures during service in Congress, has
been different from my own
In the late Presidential contest too his sympa-
thics appeared be with the Northern Or antislave-
~ section OF the Whig party. In fact, there are
few public with when differ more thoroughly
than with General Dockcry.
With respect to the distribution of the proceeds of
the public lands ought perhaps, to say that there
has ::ot, far as can remember been any serious
attempt to get through such bill during my whole
service in Congress. At least for many years past
no such movement has been made. zen. Dcckery
did rot SO far as kROIc eTfr Introduce attempt
10 Introduce bill for such a pury0Ss presume
his failing 10 do so, must have arisen on. his se-ng
that there not iho slightest chance Of carrying
sueh project There Is even less at this time. If
he, when member of Congress, did net even intro
duce bill, he had the power to do wins; matters
it as his present opinions? He mus. know that,
even ifhc Governor of the State he would have
TO more power over the question than any Justice
OF the Peace or private citizen. The clamor
raised on this subject b certain politicians is mere
liz made for political effect. Without the slightest
expectation of carrying through any such measure,
they merely striving to catch votes from those
who do not understand the condition Of things.
The circumstances that Gen. Dockery was nomi-
mated by a respectable body of gentlemen called
Whig Convention, docs not give him any additional
claims to my support. That Convention was mainly
Id h.,-t- Hath,
y and personally, and have reason to believe that
Appointment purpose of the actors Was TO inure me
and defeat my political friends who might chance to
be candidates for the Legislature.
Gen Dockery course in some other respects gives
him no claim on me individually. Daring the Pres
idcntial canvass in the autumn OF 1852 there was
publication in the form OF an editorial in one OF the
Scott papers, | do not remember which, saying in
substance that Gen. Dockery bad declared in some
speech that no at Washington could find out up
the close of the session of Congress whether was
for or against Gen. Scott. When this matter was re-
ferred to during discussion at Lcnoir on the day
preceding the Presidential election, denounced it
a falsehood, and requested my opponent in the dis
cussion to notify Gen. Dockcry to that effect. When
it was referred in the last by Col Gather,
spoke of it in like terms and my declaration sub
seouently found its way into several of the newspa
pers of the State. OF course it could not have
capped Gen. Dockery's knowledge, and he ought
therefore, in my opinion, either to have disavowcd
the original statement taken step in jUstf
cation Of himself / felt at liberty to denounce the
statement in these decided terms not only becaxsc
my opposition to Gen. Scott was notorious, but also
because had heard from more than individual
that Gen. Dockery complaining during the ses-
sion Of my hostility to his candidate and endeavor
ing counteract the influence of that opposition in
the State.
! His conduct to one of my constituents, Gen. Ed
ney, which think you have been apprised OF, would
of itself be sufficient to deprive him of any claim to
my support, as far as personal reasons against him
could operate My letter, however, is growing long
er than intended, and therefore l merely say in
conclusion that am opposed to Gen. Dockerys cleo
| tor, both.upon political and personal grounds.
Had he been candidate for Congress in our Dis
trict have doubt but that he would, on account
of his previous course have been beaten much fur
| ther than Col Gather
| have published nothing in relation to him, be-
! cause have work enough to do here. Having no
desire to dictate to other gentlemen as to
they should pursue, SO on the other hand have no
wish to conceal my opinions from either friends or
opponents. You are therefore at liberty to commu-
ncate these views any and every one, or even to
have them published if you think it desirable.
Very truly, yours, &C.,
L. l.. CLINGMAN.
NrGno Boy KILLED We learn that q negro boy,