The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-17
INMATE OF AN ASYLUM
Gen. ThOs. |. CIlngman, of North Carolina,
Given a Home in the State Institution.
AN 2 EXCEPTION {3MAOE IN HIS CASE

Before the War Made So RcmarIt. |
able IA Record as u Statesman, 0ra-
for, Legislator, warrior. DucIist
and Scientist.
,lslsl
"A special to The Atlanta Journal FROM |
Alorganton, n. c., says: Gen. Thomas |
l.. Clingman, eX-Unted States Senator,
whose name 80 years ago was on every |
tongue in this country, has been adj
mrtted to the State asylum for the insane |
III thls city. Gen. Clingman does not be- |
come an inmate of this institution be-
cause OF any acute arrangement of his |
mind. though his intellect shows little
evidence of its former activity and abil-
lily. 1t is against the policy of the insti- |
tuition to receive such inmates; but In
this case-that of n man who, as a mem
Der of the lower house OF Congress. as
United States Senator and Confederate
general, has rendered the State such
CONSPICUOUS sctvice-it felt that an eX-
ception might well be made. Aged,
poor, inflrm, mentally and physically,
the State offered n home to the once
great Statesman, and during the re-
naming years of his life, it will extend
TO him, who fought and bled for its
cause, the most tender care q govern
mcnt can bcstow-a home and a pro-
tcctiTg hand.
General Ciingman was born 81 years
ago In Iadkin county, IN this State.
Few men to-day realize what a political
factor he was during the quarter of a
century ending With the surrender or
Lee. Looking upon him to-day, bowed
with age, cNprcssionlcss from mental in
trinity, depressed from poverty, few
people would recall without surprise the
record he de q ST n .rcn nv1tn or,
legislator warrior, duclst and scientist.
Few men in the history Of the Union be-
fore the war made so remarkable n
record as a, public debater. 1t is re-
called that during the slavery debate in
Congress his speeches were full OF
Southern fire and enthusiasm, and his
fame became international because of
his aggressive attitude toward the Clay
ton Bulwer treaty. One speech on the
causes of Henry Clay's defeat led to n
duel with William Yancey OF Alabama
The political career of Gen. Clingman
begins with when, in 1885, then young
lawyer Of Ilillsboro y. c., he was elect
ed as q Whig 10 the State Legislature
from Surry county.
In the autumn Of 1896 he removed to
AsheVillc, ats there was prospect that the
proposed Charleston and Cincinnati rail-
road would pass through that place. In
the convention held to discuss the sub
jcct Of change Of route he took a leading
place ana opposed Colonel Memminger,
of South Carolina. an experienced de-
batter, with such ability that his name
became known throughout the country
and his fellowtownsmcn rewarded him
with an election to the State Senate.
He became a leader of the Wing party,
and in lS+3 was elected to the national
House OF Representative. over James
Graham, who had served for ten years,
and continued in office until June 18th,
1855 with the exception Of the 29th Con-
g:ess In 1855 he was appointed to fill
the vacancy in the Senate left by the
resignation of Asa Biggs AT the end of
the term he was reelected.
On January 81. 1861, Mr.. Clneman
withdrew from Congress with the other
Southern members, and in May was sent
to the Confederate Congress to give
assurance that North Carolina would
support the cause OF the South. He en-
tered the Confederate army a.; colonial
OF the Twenty-1ifih North Carolina
Regiment, and served with such daring
and brilliancy that IN eight months
time he was made brEadier general.
He was in command OF the defense of
GoldsbOro, held Sulivan's Island and
Battery Wagner during the attack ON
Charleston, led the attack on Newborn
in February, 1864. broke Buffers lines
at Drury's Bluff May 10th, and forced
him back to Bermuda Hundreds,
was wounded at Cold IIarbor, repealed
the attack on Petersburg June 18th, at
tackled the enemy near Petersburg Au-
gust 10th. defeating them with a small
force and capturing 200. I'M this con-
flict he was severely wounded and was
only able to rcioin his command few
days before Johnson's surrender at
Greensboro in April, 1865.
General Clingman was a delegate to
the national Democratic convention held
in 1865. Since that time he has studious-
ly avoided politics, and until few years
ago devoted the rcma lader of his life TO
science. AS n scientist he made import
ant contributions to Silliman's Journal
and ether publications. He explored the
mountains OF his native State. discover
ed that they contained the loftiest peaks
of the Anpalac chan range, the chief che
of which was measured by him In 1886
and now bears his name; opened the
mica mines OF Mitchell and Yancey
| counties. made known the existence in
the state Of corund,im, 2ircon, rubies and
other gems; by his observations on the
meteor Of August .. 1850, furnished the
best evidence yet given or the height
of the atmosphere, anu affirmed that in
some way sound might be transmitted
with the speed OF electricity lie pub
lishcd several volumes, including
Speeches" and "Follcs OF the Posi-
tive Philosophers"
General Clingman was never married
1t is related, however, that the only
time he ever voted for legislation that
he could not heartily endorse was dur
Ing his early years in Congress when a
woman was sent to him by n scheming
| ln1, ~ Il I, T1II ,to,t.