Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-09-29

calculated 10 WIN and II Is moi accom-
panied with Sufficient power TO bear
down the opposition which it raises. His
voice, though strongly nasal, IS never
theless smooth, and even melodious
and his enuntiation beautifully distinct.
We draw from memory Several years
have passed since we bad the pleasure
of hearing Colonel BertoD; and then,
at the bar.
We have said he is not like Mr.. Clay
as an orator. The diff rence--tha' is,
the essential iffereDce--we have not the
means OF comparing their manner--lies
in the degree Of hower. Mr.. Clay not
only fascinaies ;-he convinces. He not
merely" rufflas up your spirits" rouses
your faculnes. and awakens your ener-
pies he enlists them--marshals them
| in the cause which he advocates: so
that, before you are aware, you find
yourself contending by his side--and
with bis weapons. And in the mean
time, perhaps. you forget the orator
| His argumen occupies all your thoughts.
Cobnel Benton is directly The reverse.
You sten TO his etoquence as you would
to the music of finely toned instrument.
You admire the graceful ease with which
he pours forth bis well turned periods.
You smile (but it is bitter smiley a,
his keen irony and biting sarcashs. You
are dazzIed by the coruscations of elo-
auente that play around him, and fire.
queuy charmed with his ingenuity. But
the orator stands out in bold relief, while
his reasoning is lost in the brilliancy OF
display. 1t wants boty. 1t wants that
moral power which marks the efforts OF
the great and able statesman.
If.itJwerc true then, that Col. Benton
stands next 10 rank to Mr.. Clay, among
the statesmen of the wesl, we should be
forced TO confess a sudden and great de-
CLEMSON. For, if our opinion Of him is
justified by the reality, it is eviden, that
he is far from being qualified to occupy
the place in the national councils which
has been vacated by the removal of Mr..
Clay to the Cabinet.
There are several men from the west
whom we should place before Colone!
Benton as statesmen. AS mere politi-
clans they may probably be inferior to
him !; but as statesnen--men capable OF
managing the affairs o. nation; of de-
ysing means for preserving and advanc-
ing her permanent and essential inter-
ests ; of keeping The happy bu, difficult
IN edium between listless imbecil,y on
the one hand and wild and dangerous,
though splendid enterprises on The 9th
err; there arc, we say, several whom we
SHOULD prefer to him. Mr.. Barton, his
colleague, although be has no, made
himself so conspicuous by magnificent
propositions and long speeches, is ne
verheless far his superior in depth and
solidity of mind, in correctness Of judy
| m ent, and in general strength of under
standing. AID eastern paper lately said,
reasons should be veighed as well as
counted" By tale or measure the
speeches of Col. Benton would largely
exceed hose OF his colleague; but TAX
en- by weight, we apprehend those of
Mr. BarIen would preponderate.
Now If it would not be deemed arro-
CANT in US to suppose that any good thing
could come from Illinois, we might
mention (not to undertake an enumera.
ton Of all those whom we think equal
or superior to Colonel Benton) our own
representative, Mr.. Cook We are a.
ware tina, the Missouri Advocate will
dissent, if it do not open tremendous
FIRE upon US for our presumption; but
we advance our opinion nevertheless !;
and fearlessly call upon the acknowledge
ed great and wise men of the nation,
who have had opportunity to compare
the Two men whom we now place in