The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-04-23
EX-SENATOR cLINGMAN.

/ Ex-senator Thomas Lainer Cling
man has just entered a home for con
federate soldiers in North Carolina
broken in health, broken in purse In
his day, long since passed, he was
scarcely less famous than such men
as Webster and Clay. He was a great
friend of the latter and the friendship
once led him to a duel with Congress-
man Yancey, of Alabama. The ground
! chosen was near Washington, the
weapons pistols. But one shot was
exchanged, when the seconds inter-
fered and the affair was arranged so
that the honor of both combatants
was left untarnished.
He was in congress continually from
June, 1913, to December, 1858. with the
exception of one term. In the latter year
he was appointed d senator to fill the
uneXpired term of Senator Asa Biggs,
who was appointed to a federal judge
ship. In March, 1851, he was elected
senator but he never entered upon his
term, as he, with other southern mem
bers, withdrew from the senate in the
preceding January. He participated in
the confederate congress in the May
following as commissioner from North
Carolina. In July he was expelled from
the senate. Then he entered the con-
federate army and became brigadier
general. After the war he again en-
tered politics but was never prominent
The close of his career is pathetic
in the extreme. For some years past
the general has been but the wreck OF
his former SELF and although famil-
lar figure in Washington, yet how
changed from former days!
We recall an incident that occurred
a few days after Mr.. Cleveland's Sec
ond inauguration. A party of gentle
men called at the white house by ap-
pointment. While waiting in the ante
room to be ushered into the reception
room, an old gentleman, tall and gaunt
of form and not lacking the elements
of dignity, though sadly in decay,
came to the door of the ante room and
insisted that the usher should admit
him. The old man made many expos
'tu3ations saying all the while, Il
want to see my president; l want to
see my president" Finally he was adj
mitted. He sat beside the door, slowly
whirling his hat in his hands and
munrbling something to himself. His
clothes were of the shiniest and shah /
best and his hat had that glaze on
which only comes with the use of many
years In turn with others, he was
ushered into Mr.. Cleveland's reception
room He did not wait to be presented,
but forthwith addressed himself to the
president, who appeared the least bit
annoyed. With all the gallantry of
Sidney, he inquired CT the president |
'tAnd how is your fair lady, Mr.. Presi- !
dent?" Very well, thank you, gener-
all came the reply. and, Mr.. Presi- |
dent, it is my desire to talk over the
affairs of the nation with you at your
convenience" "All right, general /
Come around when the weather gets
warmer and We can sit on the veran- !
dah," answered Mr.. Cleveland, a /
slight smile playing upon his face. /
And then the old man, making most
profound bow, bow that was at once /
graceful and full of dignity, withdrew
The incident was closed. The query |
went round the room, 'Who was the /
old gentleman" The answer came
back, THAT is old General Clingman
formerly senator from North Carolina"
There was a sadness and pathos
about it that deeply impressed all who +
had witnessed it. How many mem
cries it conjured up, of how many |
vanished dreams it told! And now old /
General Clingman has entered home
for confederate soldiers in North Caro-
lima, there to end his days. They will !
not be many; may they be happy.