Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-08-20

Yancey, the following note:
MEMPHIS, August 10, 1860.
To the Editor Of the Enquirer:
In your issue of this morning, you repre-
sent me as sneering at Col. Clemens. and de-
scribing him as "broken down politician
and ga political Hessian." In this YOU have
done injustice to Col. Clemens and myself. 1
am not conscious of having ever ''sneered"
at Col. Clemens. | have never spoken of
him a. ga political Hessian.'' In comparing
the great Democratic statesmen who give
their support to Breckinridge and Lane, to
those who oppose, did speak of 'those bro
ken down politicians. Foote and Clemens"
The name of Col. Clemens slipped from me
almost unawares, in that connection; and al
though true, yet now regret that L used it.
Our personal relations, of long years stand
ing. have never been interrupted by politi-
Cal differences, and hope never will be. On
account of Col. Clemens, l request you to
correct the error you have fallen into.
w. L. YANCEY.
This disavowal to the contrary notwith-
standing, we reassert and affirm, confidently
and positively, our statement in Yesterdays
Inquirer, as to what Mr.. Yancey said of COL
Clemens. The connection in which he said
it is correctly indicated. as far as he goes, by
Mr.. Yancey himself. We were within few
feet of the scaffolding upon which the speak
CT stood, and in fair view Of him. He was,
as he says, speaking OF certain distinguished
individuals who were supporting Breckin-
ridge and Lane; and, having enumerated
quite list, General Cass among them, he
then. with a sneer (if tone of voice and ex-
preston of Countenance are capable of con-
veying One.) he exclaimed-"Aad on the other
side ace find broken dolgn politicians Ike Clemens
and Foots." Then, pausing a moment, he
asked, in manner at once conteptuous and
denunciatOFy-''Bu achat consideration shall ace
giUe 10 such political HeSsians as these?"
Up to this time, we had listened without
the least dissatisfaction at anything he said.
But this, we confess, was not only offensive,
but took us completely by surprise. Having
all along, understood from Col. Clemens that
his personal relations with Mr.. Yancey were
entirely respectful and friendly; and, further,
having but recently learned of his PROPOSE
ton TO meet him, here, in debate, on this
very occasion, which proposition Mr.. Yancey
had seen fit to decline; few things could have
seemed to US more repugnant TO propriety. or
have surprised us more, than such expressions
as we have mentioned, coming from such
source. We, at once, gave expression to the
feelings thus excited, to those who stood near
US, and avowed our purpose to take notice of
the matter in our paper; and for this purpose,
we soon after returned 10 our Office, and wrote
what appeared the next morning. We were
unwilling tospostpone, for an hour, this duty,
as we considered it, to our absent friend and
late colleague, or at any rate, until Mr.. Yam
cey should have left the city.
Thus, from what we heard, saw felt, said,
and did, at the time. and now wildly remem-
Der, our conviction of the perfect correctness
and accuracy of our statement as to what Mr..
Yancey said in this connection, is as clear,
strong, and unmistakable, as our sense of eX-
istence itself; and we here reiterate, as We
shall forever abide by aud maintain il.
Mr.. Yancey's disayowal may be sufficient,
and we trust it will be satisfactory. to Col.
Clemens. But, to our apprehension, it seems
only to explain why Mr.. Yancey avoids de-
bate with such men as Col. Clemens, and pre-
fers to have all the speaking to himself for
thus only may he hope to save what be puts
forward as facts and arguments from being
successfully cOhtroyerted, and indulge the
bitterness of his offensive personalities with
impunity. Memphis Enquirer.