Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-07-08

GEN D0CKERY AND AIR GLINGSfAN.
We have been satisfied from the outset, says the
last 8 Ashsille News that The political principles
entertained by Gen. Doekery are at war with those
upon which majority of the people of this District
have heretofore acted and that his principles fair
ly understood, would be repudatcd by the people OF
/ this District To show that our views upon this
subject not altogether unfounded, we publish be-
low letter. addressed to gentleman of this town,
from the Hon. T. L. Cngman, in answer to an en-
qury whether, if he were the District, he would
support Gen. Dockery. Here it is
| House OF REPRESENTATIVES, ~
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 If were in the
State should not think of supporting Gen. DocSe-
ry have valid political as well as personal rea-
sons for opposing him. Want of time only prevents
my giving at length these reasons bat may refr
to some of them.
1t is known that Gen. Dockery took the same po-
stions that Col Gather did in the canvass against
me in 1851. He avowed publicly that he ready
to vote men and money to cocrce South Carolina, Cor
according to the newspaper accounts) even North
Carolina, in the event of her seeding for what she
might deem a 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
three to one of the freemen of my district it could
opinion and go over to Gen. Dockery. regard this
"ery issue as being important in principle than
any of those he is trying to make at this time The
South being the weaker section in point of numbers
can only protect her rights in the Union by having
it understood that her will stand by her in tn,
last emergency In fact far as Understand Gen.
Dockerys views to the relative powers and duties
of the Federal and State Governments, differ
tirey. look upon him as having adopted the opin-
ions of the most ultra federalsts and consolidation
lists of our day. His upon questions connect
ed with these principles and in fact upon most prac
teal measures during service in Congress- has
been different from my
In the late Presidential contest, too his sympa-
thes appeared to be with the Northeln anti-savc-
ry section of the Wing party. In fact there are
few public men with whom differ NOR thoroughly
than with General Dockery.
With respect to the distribution Of the proceeds of
the public lands, ought perhaps, to say that there
has not, as far can remember, been any serious
attempt get through such bill during my whole
service in Congress. At least for many years past
no such movement has been made. Gen. DOckery
did not, sonar as 6notc, ecer introduce attempt
to introduce u bill for such purpose. ! presume
his failing to do So must have arisen ON his SEEING
that there not the slightest chunce Of carrying
such project. There is even less at this time If
he, when a member of Congress- did not even intro
duce BILL he had the power to do, what matters
it as to his present opinions He must know that
ifhe Governor of the State, he would have
no more power over the question than any Justice
of the Peace or private citizen. The clamor now
raised this subject by certain politicians is
ly made for political effect Without the slightest
expectation of carrying through any such measure,
they are merely striving to catch votes from those
who do not understand the condition of things.
The circumstances that Gen. Dockery nomi-
mated by respectable body of gentlemen called
Wing Convention, does not give him any additional
claims to my support. That Convention was mainly
controlled by influences hostile to me, both political
ly and personally and have to believe that
a prominent purpose of the actors W to nure
and defeat my political friends who might chance 10
be candidates for the Legislature.
Gen. Dockery course in some other respects gives
him no claim on me individually. During the Pres
dential canvass in the autumn of 1852 there
publication in the form of editorial in one of the
Scott papers, do not remember which, saying i'll
substance that Gen. Dockery had declared IN some
speech that at Washington could find out up
the close of the session of Congress whether
for or against Gen. Scott. When this matter
ferred to during discussion at LenoIr on the day
preceding the Presidential election, denounced it
a falsehood, and requested my opponent in the dis
cussion to notify Gen Dockery to that effect. When
it referred to in the last canvass by Col Gather,
spoke of it in like terms, and my declaration sub
found it's way into several of the newspa
pers O.. the st t.. Of cou Sc it could not have
capped Gen. Dockerys knowledge, and he ought |
therefore, in my opinion, either to have dsavowcd |
the original statement taken some step Ill jlstit
cation of himself felt at liberty to denounce the
in these decided terms not only because
my opposition to Gen. Scott notorious, but also
because l had heard from more than one individual
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 appraised 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
err than intended, and therefore l merely say in
conclusion that am opposed to Gen Dockery's cleo
tor, both upon political and personal grounds.
Had he been a candidate for Congress in Dis
trict have doubt but that he would, account
Of his previous course, have been beaten much fur
Their than Col. Gather was.
l have published nothing in relation to him, be-
cause have work enough to do here. Having
desire to dictate to other gentlemen to what
they should pursue, so the other hand l have
wish to conceal my opinions from either friends or
opponents. You therefore at liberty to commu-
nicate these views to any and every one, even to
have them published if you think it desirable.
Very truly, yours &C.,
L. l.. CLINGMAN.