Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1855-04-04

man-men of nerve, before whom the hordes of IA
natcism quake and tremble will constitute the only
hope of the South in that God-forsaken assemblage
Let the people of the South look to this matter in
time, and see that none but men tried and true
men who haye stood fire-are sent to the next Con-
gress. An error here may be fatal.
We have no doubt of Mr.. Clingman's election.
The people of this District too well acquainted
with the nature of the crisis ahead to dispense with
the services of one who has acquitted himself we
and who has SO galantly beaten back the foes the
South on many well contested fields. "
We give below the letter from Franklin, Macon,
to which tie News refers:
Correspondence of the News
FRANKLIN. N. c., March 15 1856
Editor Of 4shrille Neacs:
This is the week of Superior Court here, and be-
sides Judge, lawyers an suitors it has brought us
some other things OF interest particularly in
the political line. On Tuesday, the Hon. T. L.
Clngman, who had just arrived from Washington,
announced himself candidate for reelection.
Proclamation having been made by the Sheriff,
in few minutes the Court House crowded un-
til it would hold no more.-Interest and expectation
on every face, and death like silence pervad
ed the asscmblage, while "the MAN. stepped for
ward, and commenced his address, by recapitulat-
ing briefly some of the leading events of the last
Congress- and giving his views of the present pros
pect of the political field.
He thought, judging from many indications, par
ticularly the alarming strength of the antiNebrasa
movements, aud the abolition representation which
every election in the Northern States sending
to Congress- pledged to the repeal of the Nebraska
Act and of the Fugitive Slave law, that the exciting
topic before the next Congress will be the repeal of
those measures. But he does not despond as to the
rcsu t; being confident, first in the conservative
dispositian OF the Senate, and secondly, in the abi
ty of the South to repcl the attack even in the
House of Representatives. Notwithstanding the ma
jority of some ten to twenty ore likely to have
against us, if we only send to Congress men of the
right sort. We had beaten the aboitonists there
in the face of Northern jority before, and with
men of the proper spirit and frmness to represent
us, can do again. All depends on what kind of
stuff the representatives We shall send made Of
The speaker doubtless felt the proud consciousness
of knowing that his hearers JeH what he would
not say,-that never truer or firmer or more
dauntless Southern nan, had been sent by South
people to assert Southern rights the floor of
Congress- than himself
In connection with the elements which were to
enter into the ensuing election of representatives in
Congress, the Honorable orator touched upon SUBJ
ject now much agtating the public mind--the mys-
terious question of Knoac Notaingism." His opin-
ions on this topic seemed to be looked to with more
eagerness by the assembly, than any other part of
his speech. He expressed himself decidedly oppos-
ed t. the policy of supporting such an organization.
His remarks on this portion of his subject were
in his happiest manner. There was bitterness,
denunciaton, no heated appeal to passion or pre-
!
terrible and crushing force.
| He was opposed, in the first place. to secrecy in
religious or political organizations In saying this
! he promised that he meant to make fling at
ful charitable secret associations, such Masons
| Sons of Temperance, &c. Though not a member Of
| any of these, he had nothing to say against Mem.-
But he did protest against secret, irresponsible po
ltical or religious societies, and especially when
ligion and politics-Church and State were attempt
| ed to be combined.
fho fhavr oko
one of the cardinal doctrines of their creed to put
| down Roman Catholicism and promote the supre-
macy of the Protestant religion he did not think
this the best way of effecting the object He found
from his reading of the Scriptures that our Savior
and the Apostles preached openly in the synagogues
in the light of day, and nerer denied the Church
they belonged to and he too firmly convinced
of the truth and strength of the Protestant re
gion, to think it needed the aid of midnight eau
cusses, held under the auspices of band of reck-
less. desperate political adventures, to support it.
He believed in the wisdom of Him, who spake as
never man spakc, and who commanded HIS disci-
pies that they should not hide their light under
bushel.
| Nor did he believe in secret political societies.
In France or Russia, where man dare not assert
his opinion except at the peril of his life such secret
organizations mis- ght be necessary. But in free
country, where all can speak without fear, he did
not think this the proper method for freemen to
sert the principles of freedom and he believed the
discussion, in open day, before the people.
But the most startling question connected with
this subject (Mr. Clingman proceeded to say) ir
his opinion to us as Southern men, the results
Of Know Nothingism, in all the States where it has
gained the ascendency. 1t was fact, undenied-
standing out IN bold, papable, startling relief
that, in every State where this organization has
elected majority in the legislature, the most mark
ed act OF that legislature has been the immedi
election of noted and rabid abolitonists to office
Especially every United States Senator elected by
such legislatures, have been rank abo!itionsts-
men pledged to the repeal of the Nebraska Act anc
of the Fugitive Slave law, and the abolition of sla
very in the District of Columbia. In view of th
alone, he thought Southern men who were disposed
to join the organization, might well look to wht
would be their allies. He was aware that some o
his friends Southern Rights men, under an honest
but he believed hastily considered sense of right
had learned to favor this movement; but he believ
ed when they came in serious earnest to look int
the matter, appeals to religious prejudice would no
conceal from them the clovcn foot, anu they wOu,
conclude that such men were not the allies witt
whom they could act. @1E IS
OF the effect of the speech of Mr. Clingman here
} there can be no doubt Many who on a superficial
examination inclined to favor the secret order
on hearing this exposition from one whose position
has given him such means of detecting the corrup
, motives of the movement,-one whose previou
course has given them such just reasons to trus
him. and, whatever else his enemies may allege-e q
, him. no one has ever doubted as firm and tru
Southern Rights man--haye reconsidered the mat
ter and refuse to sell their conscences to secre
and irresponsible associations, whether ruled b