The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-10-21

LETTER FROM HON. THOMAS l.
CLINGMAN.
The following letter from the Hon. Thos.
l.. Clingman has been handed to us for
publication by the gentlemen to whom it is
addressed. We lay it before our readers
with pleasure, coming as it does from
man who has always allowed the rights of
the South and her interests to occupy the
most prominent place in his Affections
Our section has never had a more jealous
supporter of southern equality nor an ADLER
advocate than Thos. L. Glingman. Recent
results prove that there will be no necessity
Tor action at present in regard to the matter
under consideration, for we consider Mr..
Buchanan's election fixed fact, and the
union of the States and an acknowledge
ment of the rights of all portions of the
country thus secured. If all southern men
had spoken in as plain terms to the North
as Mr. c. has done, public sentiment there
would long ago have been corrected. But
we see indications that the sober second
thought is now at work, and for producing
/ it southern as we'll as northern national dem
/ ocrats are entitled to the credit.
| Our friends in this section will be gratifed
to know that Mr. Clingman contemplates
addressing them at Charlotte on Thursday
| the 18th of November.
AsHEvILLE, n. c., Oct. 10th, 1856.
| GENTLEMEN: When l was last in your
| town | stated to you and your friends that
! though l might not be able to accept an
invitation to meet the citizens ct your coun-
! ty before the Presidential election, yet
would certainly endeavor to do so after
that event, provided Fremont should carry
a majority of the votes. Though do not
regard that contingency as probable, it is
still the part of wisdom to be prepared for
it. | now write to you, therefore, to say,
| that if all things suit, l will be with you on
Thursday, the 18th of November. That
is as early day probably as could be
selected after the result is known, and
preparation made, and still would precede,
by few days, the assembling of our Legis-
lature.
Should the black republicans prevail,
there is no spot of ground l would so soon
stand on as in that town where the first
Declaration of Independence was made,
and in that county which Lord CORVALLIS
"a man well qualified to express a correct
opinion) pronounced 1.-The most rebelious
county in America"
Our ancestors had far greater difficulties
to encounter than we are now compelled
to meet. The Southern States have popu-
ation four times as great as all the colonies
then had, while the best part of the North,
l mean the men of courage and honor, ac
knowledge the justice of our cause, and
are with us in feeling. Instead of having
to make governments de moro, we have
organized State Sovereignties to act at
once. hold, however, that the condition
of things which may possibly occur, would
not only justify the action of any single
State, but even authorize individual resist
ance; for any free aohite american might
well refuse to be so degraded as to become
the Stare Of the negro-ecorshipPing abOLi-
EORiStS.
Our forefathers made that revolution to
maintain their equality as men, and COM
munities likewise. They resisted the pay
ment of paltry tea tax, because its i'm
position was an assertion of the right of the
British government to rule them. That
government was controlled by body of
manly, heightened men; and yet our an
cestors refused to accept even them for
masters. But the leaders among our en-
emies are, to my certain knowledge, the
meanest and most contemplate creatures
upon earth, excepting only those IN the
South that arc willing to be governed by
them.
A few venal presses that hope to fat
ten ON the spoils of a government as cor
rupt as Fremont would establish, and
few traitors to their section and race, would
attempt to produce a diversion in favor of
our enemies, but they might receive sacif
attention from our Committees of Vigilance,
until the State governments could take the
necessary steps to insure tranquility. A
proper feeling is already pervading the
masses of the South. The idea thrown out
in some quarters, however, that we should
manifest our resistance only by refusing to
hold office under the new administration, is
an absurdity. We should thereby not on
ly deprive ourselves of the benefit of gov
crnment which we are taxed to support,
but we should assume the contemplate at
titude of the Asiatic, who INCREASINGLY, and
in sullen silence, submits to oppression and
torture.
Equally preposterous is the idea referred
to in the North, that we are threatening to
revolt against the government. Those that
have stood by the Constitution are entitled
to hold the organization of the government.
twas decided by theP arliament that James
., Nv viz the Cons