The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-11

was reelected Senator in 1860. and al
the special session of the Senate Marcel
;. 1861 was sworn in for a six year,
term.
Ii will appear incredible in these TIME,
to be told that i'll all his political cam
paigns, embracing fourteen years in the
House of Representatives, and two cleo
tions to the United States Senate, mot
single dollar" says Mr. Clingman, was
expended to aid me- and my own eN-
pcnditures including hotel bills, the cost
OF printing my tickets, and all other
expenses were not two hundred and fifty
dolars;" and during the four years OF
President Pierce's administration, and
the two Of President Buchanan's, that
he was in the House Of Representatives
there WAS not an applicant for office
under the government from his entire dis
trict What halcyon times these must
have been for the politicians.
Senator Clingman's political career
was now drawing to n close and events
rapidly succeeded each other which led
mp to the war between the States.
After the rupture of the Democratic
Convention at Baltimore the election
of Mr.. Lincoln seemed to Senator Cling
man foregone conclusion, and he took
but little interest in the campaign. de
supported the Breckenridge and Lane
ticket.
The election of Mr.. Lincoln by Il pure
liz sectional vote, decided certain South
ern States to secede. Mr.. Lincoln's mi
nority vote was nearly Il million in Il
vote OF 1862, 40. lie had no electors
in the entire South. President Buch-
anan says Senator Clingman. as early
as December. 1860. regarded Il dissoln-
ton of the Union us settled thing. He
permitted. il he did not send his Secre-
tary Of the Interior. Mr. Thompson, to
go to Raleigh and urge North Carolina
to secede.
On December 20 1860, South Carolina
passed her ordinance of secession. and
during January following the States of
Mississippi Florida, Alabama, Georgia
and Louisiana followed January Dist
the Senators from Mississippi and Ala
bama took leave OF the Senate Says
Senator Clingman, 1T was the most inn
pressive ceremony | ever witnessed"
Among the Senators from the South
there was one on whom the eyes of lis
countrymen was especially rivited He
was not an original sesessionst. He
had served his country on the battlefield,
in the council chamber, in the cabinet.
He is thus spoken of by II political adj
versary: eloquent among the most
eloquent in debate; wise among the wis
est in council. and brave among the BRAY
est in battle. When he rose i'm his seat
to take leave of his associates there was
| the stiffness Of death in the chamber. II
| have for many years, said he. advoc;l-
| ted. rs an essential attribute of State
sovereignty the right to secede from the
Union. Therefore if ] did not believe
there was justifable cause. if had
thought that Mississippi was acting
without sufficient proyocation. or with
out an existing necessity | should still
under my theory of government. be-
cause of my allegiance TO the State of
which ! am Il citizen, have been bound
by her act. ! am sure / feel no hostii-
| ties to YOU Senators from the North. |
wish you WELL and such is The feeling
of the people whom ] represent towards
those whom you represent" Such words
are nor the words of traitor History
Will never apply such term TO the name
Of Jefferson Davis.
| Twelve years after this. speaking to
| the Young men Of Davidson College
| General Clingman. uses these words,
Had we quietly submitted to have our
constitutional rights disregarded one.
lthird OF our whole property con6scoted.