suffrages. No matter how adroitly the district was adversely arranged, or what principles he advocated, the people were his devoted supporters, and never deserted him.
I recollect when the State was redistricted, in 1852, a few who aspired to his place arranged the district so that he would likely be defeated. But the power and the popularity of General Clingman disappointed their aims and hopes. He was elected by an increased majority. Although kind, social and friendly in his private intercourse, his character is not of that negative kind so concisely described by Dr. Johnson of one "who never had generosity enough to acquire a friend, or spirit enough to provoke an enemy." Whenever the rights of his State and his personal honor were infringed, he was prompt and ready to repel the assailant. He has followed the advice of Polonius to his son--
--Beware of
entrance
Into a quarrel; but being
in,
So bear thyself that thy
opposer
Will beware of thee.
In 1845, Hon. William L. Yancey, of Alabama, well known in his day as "a rabid fire eater," attempted some liberty with General Clingman. A challenge ensued. Huger, of South Carolina, was Yancey's friend; and Charles Lee Jones, of Washington City, was the friend of Clingman. They fought at Bladensburg.
Mr. Jones, the second of General Clingman, in his graphic description of this duel, published in the Capital, states:
"After the principles had been posted, Mr. Huger, who had won the giving of the word, asked, 'Are you ready? Fire!'
"Mr. Clingman, who had remained perfectly cool, fired, missing his adversary, but drawing his fire, in the ground, considerably out of line, the bullet scattering dust and gravel upon the person of Mr. Clingman. After this fire, the difficulty was adjusted."
Hon. Kenneth Raynor, the colleague of Mr. Clingman in Congress, was on the ground, states that "he had never seen more composure and firmness in danger than was manifested by Mr. Clingman on this occasion." On seeing his friend covered by the dust and gravel, and standing at his post unmoved he thought he was mortally wounded. He rushed to him and asked him if he was hurt. "He has thrown some dust on my new coat," he replied, quietly brushing off the dust and gravel.
On other occasions, as with Hon. Edward Stanley and others, General Clingman has evinced a proper regard for his own honor by repelling the insults of others; and in all these public opinion has sustained the propriety of his conduct; he has so borne himself that the aggressor has never attempted to repeat his insolence.
He has been accused of being ambitions. If this be so, in reply, the words of Anthony of Cæsar are appropriate--
He is my friend, faithful and just to
me.
But Brutus says he is
ambitious,
And Brutus is an honorable man.
J. C. L. Gudger, now one of the Judges of the Superior Courts, was born in Buncombe County in 1838; learned in the law, which he has successfully practiced for fifteen years.
He entered the Confederate army as a private in 1861, and rose to the rank of captain.
After the war was over he removed to Waynesville, in Haywood County, where he was extensively engaged in the practice of his profession when he was elected to the high position he so worthily occupies.
Robert M. Furman resides in Buncombe County, although a native of Franklin County, where he was born 21st September, 1846, at Louisburg. He early entered the Confederate army, but on his health failing he was, at the end of five months, discharged. He, on recovery, again entered the army (in 1864,) and served until the war closed. His young life has been spent in the editorial line, in which he attained much success. In 1866 he was in
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