Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-05-15
he Sfapoafo.
The New senator from North.C arolina.

The New senator from - .
Hon. Thomas e. cElsoMAa. LIT affords US pleas
ure to announce the fact that this gentleman has
been appointed senator of the United States from
North Carolina in place of Hon. Asa B'ggs-
Though still young man. Mr. Clingman mas won =
national reputation politician and statesman
.Hewas born in the county OF Surry m Nortn, Gar
olina region inhabited BY industrious, hardy,
and high.minded population. In his person are
combined the elements of a German, Norman-Frencn,
and Scotch ancestry, whose names and deeds are
identified with the patriotic struggles OF the Anne
rican Revolution His grandfather, after having
fought in many of the battles in the Caronas, final.
ly fell into the hands of the British, as prisoner OF
war at the surrender OF Chsreston while his moth
er's grandfather, the Rev. Mr.. Patilio, famous
Presbyterian minister, was a member of the first
Provincial Congress of North Carolina. Mr.. Cling
man commenced his classical studies under private
il sructors; and afterwards entered Chapel Hill
University sophomore, whence he graduated
with the highest honors of his class-having been
reported to the faculty by each professor in the in
stitution as the best scholar in his department Al
ter leaving Chapel Hill he entered with energy up.
on the study of law, and in short time mastered
the elementary principles of legal jurisprudence;
but just he about to enter upon the practice
of his profession, the people of his native Surry
elected him to the Commons of the State, where he
at once took leading part in public affairs
On his retirement from the Legislature in 1886,
in Buncombe county, where he still resides as its
most prominent citizen. Having already won a
reputation for boldness and ability as a speaker,
having especially in debate at Columbia, S. c., with
Colonel Memminger, of that State, made very sue
cessful hit he was soon after nominated and elected
by a large vote to seat in the, State Senate of
North Carolina. During his term as State Senator
he proposed several important measures and partci-
pated in every important debate. In 1843 Mr..
Clingman was elected to Congress, his rival candi-
date having been no less parsonage than the Hon.
James Graham and from the period of his election
to Congress down to the present time his name has
been familiar in the national metropolis. With the
exception of one term, when he was defeated by
party trick, he has been member of the House of
Representatives ever since his first election pc
riod of about thirteen years During this time he
has been on one or two occasions spoken Of as the
most proper person to represent his State in the
United States Senate, and glad to know that
the wishes of his numerous frieds have now been
realized. Whatever may be said of his future ca
reer, thing is certain, that he has been and is
now, doing all that an ambitious and faithful pub
lie servant do to merit the highest honors fthe
statesman. In his seat on the floor of Congress as
a representative, he has taken interest in all the
important questions of the day, and as a member
for many years, and more recently as the chairman
of the Committee on Foreign Affairs he has acquit
ted himself with ability. :
Mr.. Clingnan, though SO long identified with pol
lected the pursuits of literature and science. He
has made himself acquainted with the soil, climate
and manifold capabilities of his section of North
Carolina; and from time to time has given to the
world the result of his observations upon these sub
jects. He has made important contributions to the
sciences of geology and mineralogy, his name fire.
quently appearing in Silliman's Journal, in connex-
ion with those Of Silliman, Shepard, Dana, Guyot,
and Others as one who has brought to light many
interesting facts connected NTH the mountains of
North Carolina, the highest of which it was his good
fortune first to explore and measure, and which now
very properly bears his name.
We thus introduce to the country new Senator
Of the United States aman of ability and great use.
fitness, whose capacities and experience fit him for
almost every department of public business-one
who, we doubt not will adorn the high position to
which he has been promoted Washington Union.
OuR New SENAToR.-It will be seen by the re-
ports of the proceedings of both Houses, that on
Friday last Hon. T. L. Clingman, so long the repre-
sentative from the Mountain District, took his leave
Of the House of Representatives, and was sworn in
as the successor of Hon. Asa Bggs in the Senate of
the United States. Mr.. Clingman, although still
comparatively young man, was, at the time of his
resignation, of the oldest representatives in the
House, having served since ls43 with the exception
of single term. His reputation is national one,
in the fullest sense of the word. Few men have
studied politics assidousy, and few if any,
better informed on political subjects He is native
of that part of Surry county now included in the
new county Of Yadkn, and in passing through the
village of Huntsville, some years ago, house was
pointed out to us that in which he was born.
He graduated with the highest distinction at Chapel
Hill and entered the profession of the law but hav
ing almost Immediately afterwards engaged in public
life we presume that his profession must to great
extent: have been postponed to his political career.
Previous to his election to Congress- in 1S43 he had
CQrV I'M both IF tho Cf,fo H.,
is now citizen of the town of AshevilIe the seat
OF justice for the county of Bnncombe.
Mr.. Clingman is unmarried, is perhaps little
turned of forty years of age but looks younger than
ne is, being of slight figure and rather thin face, is
very quiet in manner verging upon reserve or taci
turnity, a: least that is the impression made upon
stranger. He must, however, possess high social
qualities to have obtained the hold he has upon the
affections of the citizens of his district among
whom he possesses an influence almost without
parallel
Mr.. Cngman's political history is SO fully identi-
fed-so thoroughly mixed up with the political his
tory OF the country that review of one would al
most necessarily involve sketch of the other and
for this we have neither time nor space at pres
ent.
Formerly whig. Mr.. Clingman became convinced
years ago that the party with which he had been
acting was thoroughly denationalized and that tine
only NATIONAL party with which southern patriots
Cou,o consistently act with any hope OF good, was
the Democratic party. Even while nominally wing,
his votes showed that he was not bound by the
shackes OF party for as to lend his sanction to
anything nimical to the interests of the South or.
speaking more accurately, to the equality of the
States. His Influence contributed largely to the
election Of Gov Reid and the success of Gen. Pierce
in this State Mr.. Clingman has, for several years
past, been an avowed and consistent Democrat
As we have already remarked, Mr. Clingman's
political history is part of the political history of the
country, and it is not necessary for to dwell upon
q now. His position, as one Of the leading men Of
the country will hardly be questioned by friend OF
toe and few doubt that he will sustain the repu
tataeH and the honor Of North Carolina on the floor
Of the SENATE with marked ability and DEVOTION
WiLnlinGkon journal