Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1897-10-29

AN EXCEPTION MADE.
Few Men in the History of the
Union Before the War Made
So Remarkable a Record
as a Statesman, Orator.
Legislator, Warrior,
DueliSt and Scien-
tiSt.

A special TO the Atlanta Jour
nal from Morganton, N. c., says
Gen. Thomas l.. Cllngman, ex-
United States Senator, whose
name s. years ago was OH every
tongue i'll this country, has been
admitted to the State asylum
for the insane in this city. Gen.
Clingnah does not become an
inmate of this institution because
of amy acute arrangement of his
mind, though his intellect shows
little evidence of its former ac-
tivity and ability. 1t is against
the policy of the institution to
receive such inmates, but in this
case-that of a man who, as a
member of the lower house of
Congress, as United States Scn-
ator and Confederate general,
has rendered the State such con-
sp1cuous service it felt that an
exception might we'll be made.
Aged, poor, inhrnl, mentally and
ph ysically, the State offered a
home to the once great states
man, and during the remaining
years of his life, it will extend
to him, who fought and bled for
its cause, the most tender care
government can bestOw home
and a protecting hand.
General Clingman was born
81 years ago in Yadkin cosnty,
this State. Few men to-day re-
alize what a political factor he
was during the quarter of CEN
tury ending with the surrender
of Lee. Looking upon him to-
day, bowed with age, express
sionless from mental inhrmity,
depressed from poverty, few peo-
pie would recall without SUN
prise the record he made as a
statesman, orator, legislator,
warrior, duelist and scientist.
Few men in the history of the
Union before the war. made so
remarkable record as a public
debatcr. 1t is recalled that du-
ring the slavery debate i'll Con
gress his speeches were full of
Southern fire and enthusiasm,
and his fame became internation-
al because of his aggressive at
titude toward the Clayton Bulls
wer treaty. One speech on the
causes of Henry Clay's defeat
led to a duel with William Yam
cey, of Alabama.
The political career of geher
al Clingman begins with wien,
in 1885, then a young lawyer of
Hillsboro, N. c., he was elected
as a Wing to the State Legisla-
ture from Surry county.
In the autumn of 1886 lie re,
moved to Asheville, as there
was prospect that the proposed
Charleston and Cincinnati rail
road would pass through that
place. In the convention held
TO discuss the subject of change
of route he took a leading place
and opposed Colonel Memnin
ger, of South Carolina, an ex>
perienced debater, with such
ability that his name became
known throughout the country
and his fellow townsmen re-
warded him with an election to
the State Senate He became a
leader of the Whig party, and
in IS43 was elected to the nat>
ional House of Representatives.
over Jai.-es Grallam, who had
served for ten years, and con-
tinued in Office until June ID.
1883, with the exception of the
2oth Congress. In 1858 he
was appointed to fill the va
cancy in the Senate left by the
resignation of Asa Biggs. At
the end Of the term he was re-
elected.
On January FL, 1861, Mr..
Clingman withdrew from Con
gress with the other Southern
mem bers, and in May was sent
to the Confederate Congress to
give assurance that North Carr
olina would support the cause
of the South. He entered the
Confederate army as colonel OF
the Twenty-hfth North Carolina
Regiment, aud served with such
daring and brilliancy that in
eight months time he was made
brigadier general. He was in
command of the defense of