Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-03-31
MR.. CL1NGMAN IN THE FIELD.

himself candidate Tor re-eleeuon In the Mountain
District. He opened the campaign at Franklin,
Macon, on Tuesday of Superior Court and his
Speech, we learn, produced a marked effect
upon the large assemblage present. We heartily
concur with the Asheville News, which says:
twi be seem from highly interesting letter
in to-day's paper, from Franklin that Mr. Clngman
las declared hmsefa candidate for reelection. We
sincerely rejoced at thisnot because the Office
can confer any honor upon MIR. Chngman, for his
reputation is not bounded by District or State lines
but extends to the whole continent We graft
fled that the South is to have the benefit OF his talents
his influence and his firmness in the next Congress-
in beating back the tide of fanaticsrn and corrup
ton which Know Nothingis,n and Abolition combi-
ned will pour into that body. Such men Mr.. Cling
man-men of nerve before whom the hordes of IA
naticism quake and trenlbe. will constitute the only
hope of the South in that God-orsaken asseInbiage
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 tre-ar sent to the next Con-
gross. An error here may be fatal.
We have no doubt of Mr.. Cngmans 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 so we
and who has CALAMITY beaten back the foes of the
South on many we'll contested fields.
We give below the letter from Franklin, Macon
to which tie News refers:
Correspondence of the News.l
FRANKLIN, n. c., March Is, 1866.
Editor Of Ashritle Neacs:
This is the week of Superior Court here, and be-
sides Judge, lawyers and suitors it has brought
some other things of interest, more particularly in
the political line. On Tuesday, the Hon. I. L.
Clingman, who had just arrived from " Washington,
announced himself candidate for reelection.
Proclamation having been made by the Sheriff,
in few minutes the Court House was crowded IN
til it would hold rlore-Intercst and expectation
safe every face, and death like silence pcrvad
ed the assembiage, while the MAN" stepped for
ward, and commenced his address, by rccaptuat-
ing briefly of the leading events of the last
Congress, and giving his views of the present pros
pcct Of the political fed.
He thought, Judging from many indications, par
ticuarly the alarming strength OF the anti-Ncbras:a
movements, and the abolition representation which
every election in the Northern States was sending
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 dvspond as to the
rcSu being confident first, in the conservative
dspCsitian OF the Senate, and secondly, in the ab
ty Of the South to rcpel the attack even in the
House Of Representatives, Notwithstanding the
.jority Of some ten TO twenty are likely to have
against US if we only send to Congress Of the
right sort. We had beaten the ahoiitionistS there
in the face OF a Northern majority before, and with
Of the proper spirit and tirnncss 20 represent
us, do again. All depends what kind Of
stuff the representatives shall send made Of
The speaker doubtless felt the proud consciousness
Of knowing, that his hearers Jtlt, what lie would
not say,-that never truer Or fTmer more
dauntless Southern nan, had been sent by South
people to assert Southern ri gifts the floor Of
Congress, than himself
In connection with the clements which to
enter into the ensuing election of representatives in
Congress, the Honorable orator touched upon sub
jcct, much agitating the public Elimd-the mys-
terious question of Hnoa0 NotAingisn." His opn-
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-
cd II no nf nnrtiu Cch an nj I1t
His remarks OH this portion of his subject were
in his happiest manner There bitterness,
denunciation, heated appeal to passion or pre-
judice but his array of facts and reasons fell with
terrible and crushing force.
He was opposed, in the first place, to secrecy in
religious political organizations. In saying this
he promised that he meant TO make no fling at use
full charitable secret associations such Masons,
Sons of Temperance &c Thong not member Of
any of these, he had nothing to say against Mcm.-
But he did protest against secret irresponsible 1O-
Atical religious societies, and especially when re-
lgion and politics-Church and State were attempt
ed to be com5tapG
Ifthe Know Nothngs as they profess, make it
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 crcting the object. lie found
from his reading of the Scriptures, that our Savior
and the Apostles preached openly in the synagoSuc
in the light Of day. 0nG nerer dc'sird tie Charch
they belonged to !; and he too firmly convinced
of the truth and strength of the PfoteStant-rc
Igion, to think it needed the aid of midnight
cusscs held under the auspices of band of reck-
less desperate political adventures, support it.
He believed in the wisdom of Him, who spakc as
never man spakc, and who commanded dsCi-
pies that they should not hide their light under
bushel.
Nor did he believe in secret political societies.
In France Russia, where man dare not assert
his opinion except the peril of his life, such secret
organizations mig be necessary. But i'll free
country where all can speak without fear, he did
not think this the proper method for freemcn to
sert the principles Of freedom; and he believed the
cause of truth was always best promoted by open
discussion in open day, bet0Te tile people.
But the most startling question connected with
this subject, (ir Clngman proceeded to say,) i'll
his opinion, to Southern men, was the results
of Know Nothingism, in all the States where it has
gained the ascendcncy. 1t was fact, undenicd-
standing out m bold, palpable, startling relief
elected majority in the legislature the most mark
ed act of that legislature has been the immedi
ate election of noted and rabid aboltoniss to Office
Especially every United States Senator, elected by
such legislatures, have been rank abolitionists-
men pledged to the repeal of the Nebraska Act and
of the Fugitive Slave law, and the abolition of sa
very in the District of Columbia. In view of this
alone he thought Southern who were disposed
to join the organization might well look TO who
would be their allies. He was aware that some of
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 into
the matter, appeals to religious prejudice would not
conceal from them the cloven foot, anu they would
conclude that such men were not the allies with
n.