USA > Alabama > Reminiscences of public men in Alabama : for thirty years, with an appendix > Part 17
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JEREMIAH CLEMENS, of Madison, has received a place in the New American Cyclopedia, published by D. Appleton & Co., New York, from which it is ascertained that he was born at Huntsville in 1814; entered the Law Department of Transylvania Univer- sity, at Lexington, Kentucky, in 1833; commenced the practice of the law in 1834; was appointed by President Van Buren, in 1837, United States Attorney for the Middle and Northern Dis- trict of Alabama; in 1842, raised a company of volunteers for the defense of Texas against a threatened invasion by Mexico; in 1839, 1840, 1841, and 1843, was elected a member of the House of Representatives in the Alabama Legislature; in March, 1847, raised a company of volunteers for service in the Mexican war; was appointed Major of the 13th United States Infantry; was
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appointed Lieutenant-Colonel in April, 1848, and on 9th July was appointed Colonel of the regiment; and in 1849, was elected a Senator in Congress for four years, to fill the unexpired term of Hon. Dixon H. Lewis, deceased. And it was further stated, in the same article, that, in 1856, Mr. Clemens published "Bernard Lile," a historical novel; in 1857, "Mustang Gray ;" and in 1859, "The Rivals," a story of the times of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton.
Certainly, the above is a flattering record for so young a man, who had scarcely attained his thirty-fifth year when elected to the United States Senate. His career in Congress was not inactive or obscure. He frequently participated in the debates, and his speeches were always marked with the ability and zeal peculiar to him. He refused to vote for the resolution extending an invi- tation .to Father Mathew, the Irish Apostle of Temperance, to a seat within the bar of the Senate, on the ground that such high civilities ought to be accorded only to American citizens of distin- guished character, or who had rendered great services to the public, and not to foreign adventurers. For similar reasons, he refused, in 1852, to countenance the formal reception of Governor Kossuth, of Hungary. On both these occasions, he was courteous in his language, and manifested great solicitude for the honor of his country, without complication with the pageantry exacted by foreigners who had succeeded, by artful means, in acquiring noto- riety, and in attracting the public sympathies.
Something may be added to the account respecting Mr. Clem- ens. While in the Legislature, he was indeed a "bright and shining light" in discussion, never at a loss for a word, an expres- sion, an idea, a fact, or an argument, to sustain his point, adorned by the most captivating eloquence. No gentleman on the floor could equal him in the spontaniety and smoothness of his sen- tences, the warmth of his coloring, and in the electric communica- tion of his own feelings to those around him. Bold as a party leader, he aspired to control older Democrats, who were not always willing to follow his rash or premature counsels. Hence, there was often disagreement in the ranks. On such occasions, he would avow his own independence, and seek to provide honors for himself. A notable instance of the kind occurred at the 12
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session of 1849, in the election of Senator to fill the vacancy of Mr. Lewis. The ballotings began at 12 o'clock, on 28th November, Messrs. B. Fitzpatrick, J. Clemens (Democrats) and A. F. Hop- kins (Whig) being in nomination. After five ineffectual ballot- ings, the Senate withdrew, and the House adjourned. The next day, the two Houses again convened, and the election of Senator was resumed, when Mr. Jones, of Mobile, withdrew the name of the Hon. A. F. Hopkins, and on the first ballot, Gov. Fitzpatrick received 58, and Mr. Clemens received 66 votes, which decided the election in favor of the latter gentleman. On the several ballotings, the votes stood :
For B. Fitzpatrick .... 60 60 60
64 65 58
For J. Clemens. . . .21 20
22
23
25
66
For A. F. Hopkins. . . . 50
49
47
37
33
Mr. Clemens was a delegate to the Convention at Montgomery in 1861, and was opposed to immediate secession, preferring what was known as the cooperative policy after consultation with the other States who felt aggrieved by the election of Mr. Lincoln. But after he ascertained that the Ordinance of Secession would pass by a large majority, he decided to vote for it, and assigned reasons for so doing, which have been published in the volume entitled, "The History and Debates of the Convention of the People of Alabama," by William R. Smith, Esq., of which the following is a paragraph :
"Sir [said Mr. Clemens], I never had a doubt as to the course it became me to take in such an emergency as this. I believe your ordinance to be wrong, and if I could defeat it, I would; but I know I can not. It will pass, and when passed, it becomes the act of the State of Alabama. As such, I will maintain and defend it against all and every enemy, as long as I have a hand to raise in its defense. As an earnest that I mean what I say, I am about to place myself in a position from which there can be no retreat."
The allusion here is, probably, to taking charge of the military force authorized by the Legislature at the session of 1859, of which Mr. Clemens had been, or was about to be, appointed Major-General, for the defense of the State, provided she had to.
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stand alone after the secession then anticipated. But circumstances having taken another direction, this act was never carried into effect beyond investing Major-General Clemens nominally with the command. In the latter part of the war, he went to Phila- delphia to reside, where he died several years ago. While genius and frailty combined together in this gifted gentleman, let charity cover all his imperfections, while the grand and the beautiful in his character shall find a place in history.
8. WALTER H. CRENSHAW, of Butler, son of Chancellor An- derson Crenshaw, came to the House in 1838, and again in 1840. From that time, with but very little intermission, he has served in one or the other branch of the Legislature until 1867, and was never defeated. He was elected Speaker of the House in 1861, and again in 1863, and was a member of the Convention of 1865, which framed the State Constitution of that year. He was elected President of the Senate for the years 1865-6. As a presiding officer, he gave entire satisfaction. For about thirty years, he has been connected with public life, and always maintained a high character for abilities and integrity. His judgment may at all times be safely trusted, and his example is worthy of all the praise due to exalted virtue and patriotism. He is still living, and is a lawyer.
9. Dr. JAMES M. DAVENPORT, of Marengo, was a member of the House in 1840. He was an educated gentleman, of pleasant address on the floor and elsewhere, a Whig in principle, and a very respectable debater, though he never tired the patience of the House by the frequency or length of his speeches. What he had to say was presented in few words. He married a daughter of Allen Glover, Esq., and by that relation was a brother-in-law of the Hon. F. S. Lyon. After the death of Dr. Davenport, his widow married Alexander Graham, Esq., of Eutaw.
10. JOHN H. GARRETT, of Cherokee, was a native of South Carolina, and was fond of talking of duels and the code of honor which prevailed among the chivalry of that State in former days. He had quite a taste for military life, and was elected a Major
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General of Alabama Militia. Before his removal to Cherokee, he was Judge of the County Court of St. Clair county. In 1840, he was elected to the House, and again in 1841, during which latter session he died at Tuskaloosa, and was buried with military honors, his old personal friend, Gen. Carroll, leading the ceremo- nies, including the procession of members of the Legislature who attended the funeral. Capt. D. H. Bingham, a graduate of West- Point, who commanded the "Warrior Guards," directed the firing over the grave, the first instance of the kind I ever witnessed. Gen. Garrett was of a social disposition, and could relate many incidents in his varied experience which were truly entertaining. In society, select and miscellaneous, he was always a welcome companion.
11. GEORGE HILL, of Talladega, came from Tennessee to Ala- bama when a young man. He served in the war of 1813 under Gen. Jackson. His mind was well improved, and by his strict integrity of character, he soon exerted a large influence among his fellow-citizens. In 1831, he was elected to the House. For many years he was a Trustee of the State University. When his Democratic friends were hard pressed for a popular candidate, they settled upon Mr. Hill, and he was again returned to the House in 1840. He owned a large property, and he preferred .the quiet of retirement, as a planter, to the excitement of poli- tics, and he remained in private life until 1857, when he was nominated for the Senate and elected. This closed his public ser- vice. Mr. Hill had a fine person, was dignified and yet social, always ready to entertain his friends, and to make all feel happy around him. His good judgment was much relied upon by those who knew him, and great common sense was the prevailing trait of his character. He died in January, 1867. While a widower, in 1856, he married Miss Caroline M. Henry, sister of George G. Henry, of Mobile. Mr. Hill was a leading member of the Baptist Church.
12. DR. SAMUEL S. HOUSTON was a Northern man, and a mem- ber of the Democratic party. For sometime he held the office of Register or Receiver in the Public Land office at St. Stephens.
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He represented Washington county in the House in 1840, and at several sessions thereafter. In debate he often took part with a degree of self-reliance which showed that he was not afraid to en- counter the foremost in that arena. Perhaps the medical profes- sion not agreeing with his health or his taste, he either laid it aside or the law, or added the latter profession to it as multiplying his chances of success. He went still further, and became a minister of the Gospel. On his way to the better land, it is said that he indulged in potations which often decoy the pilgrim from the right path. Such is the last advice I have had relative to Dr. Houston.
13. JOHN S. HUNTER, of Lowndes, was on the Circuit Bench when I first knew him. In 1836, he was one of the Democratic Electors, and voted for Mr. Van Buren, with whose administration he was not satisfied, which led him to cooperate with the Whig party. At the Whig Mass Convention at Tuskaloosa, in June, 1840, he presided over its counsels, made a speech in favor of Gen. Harrison, and was placed on the Whig Electoral Ticket, which, out of a total vote of about 60,000 in the State, cast for President, received 5,000, or thereabout, less than a majority. Judge Hunter was elected to the House in 1840, and to the Sen- ate in 1842. In 1847, he was a candidate for Congress, and was defeated by Sampson W. Harris, Esq. He was a gentleman of large wealth, and supported a liberal style, inclining somewhat to aristocratic notions, though he was usually social and courteous to all who approached him. His suavity of manners, at all times agreeable, was a little checked in appearance by a high measure of self-respect, and innate dignity of character. He was a fine scholar, and a smooth, pleasant speaker, his words falling like liquid pearls from his lips. Having planted on an extensive scale, with the means to make a variety of experiments in agriculture, he was well versed on subjects of that class, and also on internal improvements. Among the committees of the House, appointed at an early part of the session, was one on Inland Navigation, con- sisting of Messrs. Hunter, Winston of DeKalb, Davenport, Da- vidson, King, Provence, and Griffin of Jackson. A resolution was adopted instructing the committee to "inquire into the pro- priety and expediency of appropriating the whole of the three per
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cent. fund to the completion of the Selma and Tennessee Railroad; or of some other mode of appropriating said fund, so as more closely to identify the Northern and Southern parts of our State; and that said committee report by bill or otherwise."
After sometime for deliberation, the committee reported back, that it was inexpedient to legislate on the subject referred; and the House refusing to concur, the resolution was re-committed. On the 5th January, 1841, Mr. Hunter, Chairman, made a report of considerable length, which occupies about six pages of the House Journal. The whole subject is examined with minuteness and ability, with observations on a broad and searching scale touch- ing the interests of commerce, manufactures, and navigation, as closely involved in a common transit between the Northern and Southern portions of Alabama. The amount of the three per cent. fund arising from the sale of public lands, donated by Congress, is stated to be $421,075 36 when first broken by the Legislature, [included as bank capital,] and the interest and profits since $124,662 17, which form a total of $545,737 53. Of this sum there have been expended by the Legislature, for objects of inter- nal improvement, the following amounts:
December 19, 1837, for improving the Coosa River $30,000
February, 1839, for improving the Coosa River 30,000
December 20, 1837, for improving the Tombeckbee River 25,000
February 1, 1839, for improving Paint Rock River. 10,000
February 1, 1839, for improving the Black Warrior River. 20,000
February 2, 1839, for improving Choctawhatchie River 10,000
February 2, 1839, for the improvement of Elk River 10,000
Total expenditure of 3 per cent. fund. $135,000
Leaving an unexpended balance of $410,727 53, to be applied to the construction of a McAdamized road, or a water communica- tion by certain natural channels referred to, or the completion of the Selma and Tennessee Railroad, to intersect the line of rail- roads then in progress from Charleston, through . Alabama and Mississippi, to the Mississippi River. On a review of the whole question, the committee intimate a doubt whether the Legislature, under the special act of Congress directing in what manner the fund shall be applied, have the power to devote it to the uses pointed out in the resolution, and therefore advise that if such ob- stacle really exist, Congress may grant the proper remedy. In
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closing their very elaborate report the committee say: "In con- clusion, we repeat the expression that it is now inexpedient to legislate on the subjects of the resolutions, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration thereof." The report was laid on the table, and 150 copies ordered to be printed.
After the war, Judge Hunter removed to Louisville, Kentucky, where he died. His remains were brought to his old homestead in Alabama, for interment, and were followed to the grave by hundreds of freedmen who had been formerly his slaves.
14. JOSEPH J. HUTCHINSON came from Georgia to Alabama, when quite a young man, and was admitted to the bar. In 1839, 1840, and 1841, he was a member of the House from Montgomery. He was sharp in debate, brusque in manner, and fierce in politics. At the Mass Whig Convention in Tuskaloosa, in 1840, he was quite an 'effective speaker, and took part in the canvass of that year for Gen. Harrison, and in 1844 for Mr. Clay. In 1845, he embraced religion, joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was in the itinerancy several years, and became a presiding elder in the Conference. He removed to Dallas county, and in 1851 was a candidate for Secretary of State, and was defeated by V. M. Benham, Esq. In his legislative course, Mr. Hutchinson was im- pulsive, and often extreme in policy and in action. He delighted in getting up scenes of excitement on the floor, that he might be the principal figure on such occasions, to reach, more effectually, his political adversaries, who, conscious of their strength by large majorities, usually kept calm and united in accomplishing their objects. On the passage of the General Ticket Bill, in 1840, he was very prominent in creating the noise and disorder which pre- vailed in the House. He no doubt saw the error of his ways, in this particular, and by a life of piety and effort to reform the morals of men, made the best atonement in his power for the irregularities of the past. He died in the ministry in 1869.
15. WILLIAM M. INGE was a Representative in Congress, from Tennessee, in 1833-'35, and after the expiration of his term re- moved to Sumter county, Alabama. He was a law partner of Robert H. Smith, Esq., at Lexington, whose first and second wives
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were sisters of Col. Inge. The latter gentleman represented Sumter in the House, in 1840, and took a commanding position in that body as a Whig. The former possessed a large person, manly and expressive features, and a strong, rich voice. At times he was truly eloquent. His heart was all kindness, and his friend- ship all fidelity. He married Miss Marr, of Tuskaloosa, and Gen. Crabb married one of his sisters, by which connection he obtained a large family influence, to which may be added that of his brothers, Dr. Richard Inge, and Major Francis Inge, of Greene county. The three brothers were born and raised in North Caro- lina, all high-minded and honorable gentlemen. Col. W. M. Inge died in middle life, in 1842, of a disease of the heart.
16. CHARLES C. LANGDON, of Mobile, was of Northern birth. After he came to Alabama, he was a merchant, in Perry county, whence he removed to Mobile, and became proprietor and editor of the "Advertiser," a Whig paper. In 1839 and in 1840, he was elected a member of the House, where he acted a leading part in the debates and deliberations of that body. He was essen- tially a strong man, and his power was felt and acknowledged by all who served with him, or who witnessed his course. He was frequently elected to the Legislature, and never failed to sustain himself, and to render able service to his constituents and to the people of the State. In 1851, he was a candidate for Congress, and was defeated by the Hon. John Bragg. He was elected Mayor of Mobile, in which capacity he proved highly useful in promoting the health, the commerce, the prosperity, and wise po- lice regulations of the city. In 1865, he was elected to Congress, but was denied his seat in company with the Representatives of other Southern States, who were under the ban of proscription during the will of Congress, as manifested through the several re- construction acts. Mr. Langdon has been more than forty years a citizen of the State, and is thoroughly identified with the rights, feelings, and interests of the people. He was opposed to secession, and deemed the measure unwise and impolitic; but, after the ordi- nance was passed, he maintained his allegiance to the State with the ability of a statesman and the zeal of a patriot, throughout the contest. Before the war he established a place called Citronville,
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thirty miles from Mobile, on the Mobile and Ohio Bailroad, where he is engaged in horticulture, and in the raising of orchards and vineyards, to supply the markets with delicious fruits and wines, and with the other products of his skill and enterprise. He lives in honorable retirement from the cares of public life, with a bright record in former days.
17. DR. BLAKE LITTLE is indebted to North Carolina for his birth. At what time he came to Alabama, I am not informed. He was a member of the House, from Sumter county in 1839, 1840, and 1841. He was eminently a man of sense, of strong common sense, that most sure and valuable faculty of the human mind. His intellect was broad and penetrating, could easily grasp difficult questions, and peep into the small contrivances of party men who sometimes introduced measures less for the public good than for their own personal or party benefit. He loved to explode all such combinations, and to defeat all such selfish ingenuity. Dr. Little was a planter, and, in acquiring his profession, he, of course, became more or less a scholar, capable of expressing himself in good language. In this he was always successful, and never failed to command the attention of the House by his strong, sledge- hammer arguments and practical views on any question. He was a Whig, and a few years after his legislative service terminated, he removed to the West. I have not heard of him within the last twenty years.
18. SOLOMON MCALPIN, of Greene, was a planter and lawyer who came to the House in 1837, 1838, 1839, and 1840, and was many years in the Senate. He possessed a large fortune, and took the world fair and easy. A Whig in politics, and a fair- minded, honest man, he pursued his convictions of duty with great firmness, while he was always capable of assigning a reason for the faith that was in him. He was a working member, of a solid judg- ment, and always ready to support good measures, let them origin- ate either in Whig or Democratic hands. Mr. McAlpin had a large and influential family connection. He died during the war.
19. CHARLES MCLEMORE, of Chambers, was born in South Carolina. My first knowledge of him was in the House, in 1837,
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and in 1840 he was again elected. From that time until 1853, he was continuously in one or the other branch of the Legislature. In 1851, he was unanimously elected President of the Senate. From some cause, perhaps on the Know-Nothing question, he was defeated for the Senate by Dr. W. H. Bacon, in 1855. While on a visit to Arkansas, to look after lands in which he was interested, Mr. McLemore died at Fort Smith, in 1859.
His nature was lofty, and his gifts brilliant. Never did courtly knight grace a tournament with more skill than Mr. McLemore displayed on the floor, in a skirmish, or in a pitched battle, hand- to-hand and shoulder-to-shoulder with an adversary, in debate. His scimetar was always keen, and he often killed his antagonist by so rapid a thrust, with lightning on the blade, as if to dazzle the vision, that no wound was perceived, and nothing but the catastrophe. His soul was all fire and his heart all magnanimity. An instance or two of the latter may be given.
On the first day of the session of 1842, Mr. Kennedy, of Lau- derdale, offered a resolution reciting that the action of the Legis- lature, hitherto, had been, in a great measure controlled, in refer- ence to the banks, by the standing Bank Committees, which had been "unfortunate," and, as a remedy in future, it was required of each member of the House, by nine o'clock next morning, to fur- nish the Clerk with a statement of his liabilities to the State Bank and branches, as principal or indorser; and from said list the Clerk to annex the amount to each name, and hand it to the Speaker, by five o'clock P.M., who was requested to appoint no member so in- debted, on any of the Bank Committees.
Mr. McLemore took the floor and denounced the resolution as insulting to members who happened to owe the banks as principals or indorsers. For himself, he admitted that he was thus indebted; but he was not willing to be shorn of any rights or privileges in the House which would imply that he was incompetent to legislate honestly on bank questions, or for the collection of bank debts. His notice of the imputation was scathing-it was perfectly anni- hilating. The young member from Lauderdale quailed under the blow, which was, indeed, of force to prostrate a giant in the arena of legislation. A heavy weight rested upon him, and he was comparatively silent and downcast during the balance of the
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session. The day before that fixed for adjournment, Mr. McLe- more obtained leave of absence for the balance of the session, had settled his accounts with the treasury, and was about to leave for home .. After this, he came within the bar of the House, and stood until he could catch the eye of the Speaker, whom he addressed :
" Before quitting this Hall, and taking leave of members whom I may never meet again, I desire to make amends to my young friend from Lauderdale. The idea that I have done him injustice gives me pain ; and I now take this occasion to say that I exceed- ingly regret the spirit of my remarks, though, at the time, I be- lieved the provocation justified them. I have since been better informed, and have learned more of the character of my young friend. I cheerfully withdraw all that was offensive, and am ready to meet him with the hand of reconciliation. In this presence the wound was inflicted, and here I desire to close it."
With tears streaming down his face, Mr. Kennedy, full of emo- tion, advanced toward Mr. McLemore, with his hand extended, which the latter cordially grasped. A few kind words were spoken in a broken voice, while all the members of the House were deeply affected, some even to tears. It was a beautiful scene, and reflected honor on both parties, especially on Mr. McLemore for the noble atonement, where redress was impossible.
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