Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-01

For the Phenir Gazette.

Thomas Fl. BENroN Indeed the last session
of Congress seems to have been hot-bed pre-
pared for the growth and nourishment ofpoliti-
zeal aspirants; there, under the care and protec-
ton Of an opposition whose efforts are directed
against the talents, the worth.and the honesty
of our country, they soon learn to excel in all
those arts. which tend TO exalt them in the es-
timation of the factious and discontented. Not
/; a few instances could be adduced, where men,
scarcely ever heard Of before in our legislative
halls, have at once sprung up into leading poll
ticians. Mr.. Benton exhibits an anomaly from
! a general rule. Most of the present politicians,
build their hopes and expectations upon the sue
cess Of one particular individual; to him they
cling "throughevil and through good report
following his fortunes as their own, approving
all his measures and yindicating all his actions.
They hold consistency TO be the principal article
in their. creed; and by consistency they mean,
to support, right or wrong, the man whose
cause they have espoused Thus, they always
figure eitheras upholder Of The "powers that be,
or as champions on the side of opposition. Mr..
Benton, however, it Will be recolected, was
once the bitter and determined enemy Of the
man 10 whom he now gives his aid:--General
Jackson was not only his opponent in political
point Of view, but their enmity was private and
personal: they were foes in every situation. in
which they came in contact with each other.
All al once, however, we find the Senator throw
ing aside all feelings OF hostility, and coming
forward as the warm and decided advocate OF
the. General; joining in the ranks of the discon-
tented, and presenting him TO the people as
fit person to exercise the Office of Chief Magis-
trate Of The nation.
This circumstance, singular and suspicious
as ii may appear, paved the way however for
present notrety, and gained him The plaudits
and hozannas Of the presses which are now ac-
lively and zealously engaged in opposing the
men who compose the cabinet at Washington.
Unlike his coadjutors, he has become leader
of his party, by shifting sides with rapidity
which is calculated 10 make him subject Of
Contempt with those who take the trouble to
examine into his previous conduct. The writer
Of Patrick Henry" justly remarks of Colonel
Benton, that he has exchanged his hatred of
Gen. Jackson, for hatred of the Administra-
tion, equally deadly but less yenia, because 1t
sprung not from generous resentment, but
from the calculating spirit of party
There is no member of Congress who under
stands better the art of CLOSING over his real
sentiments, and presenting them in pleasing
garb, when spread upon paper, than this gen.
tleman. Every one recollects the famous speech
he made upon his bill for graduating the
price ofpublic lands. He took occasion Gas the
reporters say 20 abuse, in pretty round terms,
the Administration, whenever aconvenienr op-
portunity happened; and he stock occasion
to make them happen frequently: he turned a
side 10 make lunge at Mr.. Adams; told a
pretty story Of an old woman, whom he knew,
thatused to tie her pumpkins to the trees, to
keep them from rolling down the perpendicular
hill on which she had a cabin; gave his audi
enee an amusing scene of negroes burying her.
ring heads when they planted corn; read a pro-
clamation of the king of Persia, sc. making,
upon the whole, real senate-distressing, po-
palarity hunting harangue.''* This speech APP
peared, some time afterwards, in the National
IntelIigencer, (" shorn Of all lis beams" 1t was
/a corrected, amended and revised;" in short, a
complete ezpsrgaia editio. None Of the violent
and unnecessary attacks were included; it was
polished and adorned, the periods rounded, and
language chaslened. One example will suffice
to show, with what dexterity the Senator from
Missouri could find subject to display his
powers Of satire upon. In the course oil ms ar
gumen,s in, this same speech, he quoted part
Of the Presidents proclamation for the sale Of
81
iii fact that Immediately after Mr.. Benton sat
down, Mr. Barton from Missouri, rose and addressed
the Senate tor some tme in reply, and concluded by
saying, that he would worry their patience by IN
ictihg uponthem, bis colleague had done, Senate
distressing, popularity hunting harangue." Mr. Bar
ton made some illusions, in this speech, to certain
Banking concerns, which have touched his honor
able colleague to the quick.