Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-26

tofore prOfessediy the friends oil INTERNAL I'M
provements, Of manufactures, and ota liberal
policy in relation 10 the Spanish American Re-
publics-and those who have heretofore openly
assaled them aii,--have made common cause
against the Administration, the Panama MIS-
sion, Roads and Canals, and the protection OF
Domestic Manufactures.
Bnt it may be said, that one, at least, OF the
most active and Jealous members OF the oppo-
slion, Col. Benton, is the friend OF Mr.. lay
Let us examine how that matter stands: hat
he claims to be the relation, and was once the
friend Of Mr. Clay is conceded. In 1922, it is
understood, he attended al ST. Charles, while
the Legislature was in session, and urged MS
nomination 10 The Presidency From that Pc
Rod, until 1924, nothing further was heard
from Col. Benton concerning the Presidential
election, he being during that time at his resi-
dence in Virginia In the latter year, he made
10 his constituents the celebrated visit oil IN
clinalion and duly," and during the summer
and fall he displayed some zeal, both III cleo
,Ioneering for Mr.. Clay against Gen. Jackson,
and in reviling Mr.. Barton, his colleague, who
was then candidate for re election to the Sc
nate 4 deadly hostility is known 20 have ex-
listed between General Jackson and Col Benton.
They were literally al daggers' points, and both
was supposed to be impacable. General jack
son and Mr. Clay were, to say the least, not
friendly, ever since the latter, impelled oy
sense of duty, spoke of the conduct OF the tor
mer in the Seminole war, as he thought 1t de-
served A reconciliation as sudden as 1t was
unexpected, has been effected between Col Ben
ton and the General, and which yet remains
| mystery 10 those who are familiar with the cha
ractera and disposition of both gentlemen
The Presidential election terminated in plu-
rally of votes in favor of Gen. Jackson. The
contest was evidently between him and Mr..
Adams, in the House of Representatives; and
the partisans of the former shouted in anticl-
patton Of the triumph OF their favorite. HIS
adherents at Washington affected to entertain
| no doubt Of his success. Ii was time, indeed,
Ito tiy the souls of men looking forward 10 Tx
ecu,ive favor: it required steady hand to adj
Just the balance of probabilities. Barton had
long been in favor of Adams, and Col. Benton
SION declared for Jackson. Then came the
tug Of war-the vote Of our Representatives
being the subject Pof contest. 1t was given to
Mr.. Adams; and friendship OF nine years
standing between Col Benton and Mr.. Scott,
was dissolved. MIR Clay was soon after noml-
mated to the office Of Secretary OF State. Col.
Benton, indeed, voted for the ratification ot his
nomination.; but the opposition was not then
organized, nor was Randolph, its present SUI
preme director, then in the Senate
In the spring Of 1925, Col Benton revisited
Missouri The Calhoun and Jackson presses
were then teeming with abuse OF MIR Clay; he
was openly charged with corruption In obtain
ing MS appointment, and with having purchas-
ed and sold the votes of the Western States.-
These libes were repubished here with add
tons; and the relation and friend of Mr. Clay
observed, throughout his visit, mysterious ST.
lence. He who, one year before, had been elo-
qnent in his praise, would silently have suffered
oblouuv TO settle on his name VT Is almost as
criminal to hear a worthy man traduced, with
out attempting his justification, as to be the au-
thor Of the calumny against him.. Ii Col.
Benton had been the "frend indeed OF MIR.
CLAY, he would not have heard him vllely abus-
ed without warm and just dignalion--much
less would he have consorted with those who
are full of "envy, malice and all uncharltah!e-
ness" towards that distinguished citizen. For
tunatelr, Mr. Clay had surer reliance In the
confidence and affection OF the people OF Mis-
souri,, thar the kindred and friendship OF her
Senator Col Benton returned to w ashington,
and became ;he personal friend and close ally
of Messrs. Randolph and Calhoun. His first
public act is opposition to the favorite policy
of Mr. Clay, and of the people of the West
His next an accusation against Mr.. Clay, OF
having palmed upon the Senate false transla-
ton of an important public documents Mr.
Clay is the advocate of internal improvement,
and Col. Benton voted against the bill for re-
pairing the great Western avenue, the Cumber-
land road; that highway, upon which. he once
declared he had wrought, since its commence
ment, and would continue to work, untilil reach
ed the western confines Of this state, or, per-
hans, the mouth of Columbia. Mr.. Clay is
friendly to the protection of domestic manufac-
lures; and Col Benton has announced his IN
,ention of voting for reduction Of the Tariff,
now but short time in operation, and passed
by the aid Of his votet 1t canno, be disguised
that Col. Benton participates in the feelings of
his new friends, Calhoun and Randolph, and Sc
conds all their plans Mr.. Randolph boasts of
him as his "friend indeed" On recent occa-
sion. he was entrusted with his secret intentions,
and vet permitted Mr.. Clay to be placed in
disad, anlageous situation, without an etfortf +
Mr.. Randolph sailed for Europe, leaving his
speeches to be published under his care. In
short Mr.. Randolph's will is law 10 the whole