Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-03-20
EVENING STAR,
Mr.. Clingman's Address

We regret that our limits only permit Us
to give the concluding paragraphs of the able
address recently issued by Mr.. Clingman to
his constituents. The document presents q
concise review of the rise and progress of abo-
litionism; startling exposition of the bar
barous tyranny and cruelty of slavery in the
English Indies the objects and aims of Eng
lish abolitionists, and the aid and comfort
they calculate upon, and are likely to re-
ceive, at the hands Of American abolitionists :;
defence of the principles and the expedi-
ency of the kansas-Nebraska bill; together
with frank and impartial statement Of the
real issue which is to enter the next presiden-
tial contest, and the position Of parties there
on, and it concludes with the following elo-
quent appeal in favor Of the Constitution and
of the Union:
" When you arc about to decide an issue of
such moment, heed not the words of a few
mercenary traitors among US. They have
marks upon them by which they may be
known. They are the men who, without one
cheer of applause, witness the unceasing
blows of the heavy battle axe of Douglas,
welded in our defence from morn till eve, and
from year to year, untiringly and continually
as the billsws of the ocean dash against its
shore. They chuckle like fcnds when il seems
that franklin Pierce and tho granite democ-
racy OF New Hampshire are about to be borne
down by our enemies, so as no longer to be
able to shield US from danger. But the true
men Of the Northeast, though for a time over
powered, return to tho contest with renewed
zeal. Remembering that though the British
armies once had possession Of most of their
tarr tha fte L.
unbroken, and that the revolution failed not,
they rally again, and boldly proclaim tn hat the
battle for the constitution I" has only begun"
Pennsylvania,
Collecting all her might, dilated stands,
Like Tenerife, or Atlas,
across the entire breadth of the way, and saws
to fanaticlsm and treason, Hitherto shalt
thou come, but no further, and here shall thy
proud waves be stayed" The young giants
of the Northwest, lamenting that they were
not old enough to have marched under the
banner of Washington, press eagerly forward
TO take the front of the column if any of the
Old Thirteen should falter in the hour of trial.
On every side there are coming up the brave
and true for the decisive struggle.
Many party banner has risen and stoop-
ed again; but there is a flag which has never
yet gone down before the eyes of mortal man
Ii first shOne in the sunlight on the fourth of
July, Iiioj and though 1t Wavered in the
dark hours of the revolution, it went not down,
but still kept its place, and still has kept,
through many a stormy period since, on land
and sea. The old flag of the republic now
looms high over the field Of danger, summon
ing its friends to gather around it. There is
only one Of the political organizations that
can stand under that banner. And will you
leave the democratic party weakened in for
mer contests for the right to fight this great
battle unaided, and alone to triumph, or alone
to die in such a cause?
Where will you be found, gentlemen, when
such field is to be fought and such a flag
upheld! Look back into the past, and see
that in the Olden time the enemy approached
our section only to be repulsed. The noun.
tain peaks which looked down on the rapid
flight and destruction of Ferguson's army
still stand silent but impressive monitors
Though, of the bold riders who dashed through
their gorges and forests, only the last Iipger
yet little while, the memory of their deeds
is immortal, and will again kindIe the flames
Of patriotism to future triumphs. victory
in this contest saves the constitution from dan
ger, Overwhelms its enemies, and gives the
highest assurance that our magnificent ocean,
bound republic will continue for ages to run
a career so bright and glorious as to challenge
the wonder and admiration Of the world"