The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-09

tion was organized, motion was made to nominate me by exclamation but Mir. Lyons name was presented. A viva voce vote was taken which re- suited in an almost unanimous vote for me, but before the result was an- nounced, MT. Lyons friends demanded a count by tellers, who were appointed, but the demonstration in my favor was so strong. that the count had hardly began before MT. Lyon withdrew, and my nomination was made unanimous. was elected without opposition. l went to Montgomery. took my seat in the convention which was organized by the election of my friend. Judge William M. Brooks as president In making up the committees he appoint ed me on the committee on the ordi- lnanace of secession of which William l.. Yancey was chairman. Our committee
 reported promptly the ordinance, which
 was passed January 13. 1861. midst the booming of cannon and the plaudits of men, women and children wild with the rejoicing at the severance of our ties with, to all, a hateful government We adjourned about 3 o'clock D. m, to give the people an opportunity for a joyful demonstration which they used with enthusiasm Stands were erected
 on the principal streets and patriotic speeches were made until midnight. I lnecer witnessed sucn HidnIles tdLlon our
 joy over what all supposed was a fin al separation from the United States, no one allowing himself to doubt for a moment our ability to maintain our independence. But I will desist from details as doubtless I have indulged in enough before to bore you whose af-
 lection will tempt you to bear the reading hereof with forbearing forti- tude Our convention continued in session until the organization of the Confederate Government. We passed a resolution to call on President Davis in body at such time as he might designate as convenient for our recep- ton. He named an evening and place, the Exchange Hotel, his headquarters.
 We called on him, were introduced as a body by our President in a speech to which MT Davis gracefully respond ed, concluding with q wish to know each member and shake hands, and each of us was introduced to and shook hands with him. We then par took of a handsome supper which ne had prepared for us in the dining room of the hotel and spent a large portion
 of the night in drinking wines and in speeches in response to toasts. We had at the table Vice President Ste phens the President ana his cabinet and the members of the convention, Gov ernor and other distinguished people of the State.
 Judge Clarke was born in Chester
 field County. Va, in 1915. He was the son of Thomas Clarke (third son of William Clarke) and his wife Mary Pegram, William Clarke Judge CIarke's grandfather. entered the army of the Revolution in the last year of the war. and took part in the York xritnnGGiO0 tba render of Cornwallis. Major Edward Pegram. Mrs. Thomas Clarke's father. was in the war of 1912, and Thomas Clarke Joined company formed in Petersburg, Va, during the same war and was sent with his company to Canada under the command of Gen eral William H. Harrison. He was In the Battle of the Thames, at the cap ture of Fort Meigs in Canada, and other battles in General Harrison's campaigns.
 Judge Clarke's boyhood was spent at Mattoax on the James River, a gift to his father at his wedding in 1874. This plantation had been the home of John Randolph of Roanoke in his boy hood and here lie buried his father and his mother the beautiful Frances Bland. Tn his old age John Randolph visited these graves and wept bitterly as he gazed on the last resting place of her. who he declared was the only human being who understood him. In 1884 Judge Clarke. then 19 years of age. removed to Marengo County. Ala. with his parents. but in 1889 returned to Virginia and entered William and Mary and was instructed In law by Beverley Tucker.
 Before he returned to Alabama he was married in 1S4O, in Norfolk, Va, to one whom he deeply admired ravered