The true Democrat., 1856-07-15
Letter of Hon. T. l.. Clingman to
 his Constituents.

FELLOW CITIZENS: The Hon. Edwin G Reade one of my colleagues, some time since published a letter which seemed chiefly intend ed as a reply to my address to you dated March 16, 1856. This publication consisted chiefly of extracts from writings and speeches Of mine, and of criticisms and strictures on mv course as a public man.
 There was nothing in 1t, however, that seem- ed to require any reply from me, because most of his objections to my political conduct had formerly, again and again, been brought for ward with more force and as much unlairness and had been as often conclusivelv refuted. As far as he assails my consistency, his letter ap- pears to be made up Of scraps of paragraphs and sentences torn from their context, and thus made to favor views opposite to my real Opn- ions. As you were familiar with my course as whole, and had repeatedly given judgment in my favor, l have at no time apprehended injury from this publication. 1 have been in- formed, however that some of the know noth- ings, and other opponents of mine, are attempt ing to misrepresent my reasons for not having sad anything in reply, and 1 therefore avail myself of a little leisure to notice such of the points embraced in it as have reference to the political contest now going on in the country. l have no desire to keep up a controversy with my colleague, for 1 made no reference to him in any way; nor, on the other hand, shall complain if he thinks my opinions and former course more important subjects for public dis cusson than any other matter now before the country. 1 shall only notice some of the more prominent points made by him, which possibly if unheeded, might tend to misead the unin- formed.
 To sustain the peculiar doctrines of the know nothing or American party, he makes quota tion from a speech of mine, delivered January 6, 1645, as follows:
 And if the foreign Catholics, or foreigners generally continue banded together, with view of controlling the elections of the country there will be aroused antagonistic feelings in M' hearts 0f aU true Americans which will sWeej away the party to which they have attached themselves"
 The sentence following it, in the same speech is in these words:
 "But, sir, wish it distinctly understood tha I am for no native American party; l care no whether a man may have been born under the icy zone which girts the pole, or in the torrid cline; where the morning sun IS first seen, ol at the place of its going down, if he comes to this land, and, after the residence prescribed by law, and in the manner provided, takes an oatf to support the constitution and adopts with l an American heart, American feelings, determ ming then to uphold the rights and interests O. this country against all others that man will take by the hand and welcome as an American citizen should be by his fellows"
 If this sentence had been copied by my col league with its fellows immediately preceding it would have been clear to every one that even at that time, I was utterly opposed to th' formation of any such party as he belongs to On the contrary, regarded such a party a more mischievous than the abuses which wa condemning. Those who have read the whole speech know to what had reference. Nearly twelve months previous there had occurred very serious disturbance III Philadelphia, II conseouence of a collision between some of th foreioners and Catholics and native citizens durino which some were killed on both sides and Catholic churches burnt by the mob II the midst of that excitement native merlcal marty was formed and MT. Clay was adopted as it's candidate. This circumstance, taken Il connection with the violent war wased agalns the foreigners and Catholics, very naturally drove most of them into opposition to r.Clay Under the excitement of that very heated can vass those foreigners and Catholics were guilt! of the excesses which condemned, and dld therefore, say that if they "continue banded to gether with view of controlling the elections of the country" they would create successful opposition to the party with which they wer associated. But, in point of fact this was no the case. On the contrary it is we'll know that in the next presidential election, that o 184S the foreigners and Catholics were divided like the native citizens, between General Fay Tor and General Cass, and, therefore, there wa not the slightest excuse for hostility to then on the part of native Americans. As the con dtion mon which my prediction was made dit