Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-03-23
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Col Benton.-One of the CHIEF points in The policy
OF the combination" leaders, is to pull and praise
each other as extravagantly ible and withon,
the slightest regard TO truth or decency. Whilst the
Administration aud lis supporters every thing vile
and dctestabe in their eyes--they themselves if we
take their own account of the matter, the most
pure, perfect, and Godke beings upon earth. Their
nauseating doses, sometimes i'npernently styled bio
graphical sketches, circulated through the country
wherever press can be found sufficiently subservien
TO their views, 10 palm such trash upon The coinnu
nifty. In the Enquirer of the l7,, inst we find one
of these deiectabe ushered forth to the pub
lie, designed as studied euogium upon that mos,
pure, uprtgM and consistent Statesman, Col. Benton
The article is pomiously introduced by its writer with
quotation from Helvetius, and compliment to the
OF Independence; and the reader is
aud anon enlivened by scrap from Boccacio and
flourish about the exploits of Gen. Jackson. From
the "long continued and intimate acquantancen of
the writer "ith the subject of these exquisite memoirs
bis minute details about Tennessee, and other cir
cumstances, the conclusion is forced upon u.s. that he
is no other than the Biographer OF Gen. jackson him.
seit-a Senator from TenDessee-aud one of the mid
night cabai which has been plotting the downfall of
the Administration during the late winter Washing.
ton. Ii this supposition be true, it may be asked
(how long TINS Senatorial writer of memoirs has felt
free TO Law ish such ulsome encomun upon his hr other
| benton! Would he have done il during the late Pre-
sidentIal canvass when Cen Jackson represented
by this same Senator Benton to the people of Missouri
as utterly incompetent This crimes of the question
to fill the office of Chief Magistrate?
But times have changed, and Col. b. described by
his eulogist as of ''uncompromsng, lofty and indom
liable temper" from having been the implacable enc
my, is transformed into the fawning minon of Gen
jackson. Very uncdnpropa ising truly, that man mus
be- in whose breast the Gercest resentnens and mos
desperate anpathes have been suddenly chang ed for
passionate fondness, and ardent devotion the object
of his former hatred.
The author of the article under consideration, has
informed with great gravity, that Col. Benton vas
born in North Carolina; that his father was man OF
talents, and his mother Spartan-that she became a
widow with six chi!dren moved to Tennessee, and
cultivated plantation. Her son Thomas having NO
patrimony but genius. supplied the defects in his edu-
cation, by the studies of history geography and law
He was called TO the bar, finally the Legisla
ture; from which tine moment of his election
she became of the most distinguished men in
:! Tennessee" Other great geniuses content with
some share OF labor-some practice in the schools OF
20 be accomplished statesmen and policisp5-but our
hero jumps at once by the magic of an election
from comparative obscury, into the prouiest dstnc-
lion and eminence In 1912 he exchanged The civ ic
wreath for The warriors plume and was appointed
Colonel in detachment which marched under the
banner Of "Old Hickory'' to Natchez This detacb
ment was unfortunately recalled and the gallant knight
had no opportunity of displaying his chivalry in the
tented held The same cruel mis- fortune seems 10 have
attended all his subsequent military efforts. ole Join.
ed the southern army, and called off just before
the battle of the Horse Shoe, by order of the Sec.
rotary OF War; He finally resolved to gather anre!s
| in Canada, but peace returned, and again lie was
doomed to disappointment.
1t is lrear sickenpg TO witness the low cunning and
despicabe eFrontery with which political bawas are
decked off in borrowed shreds and patches 10 serve
the purposes of party. Those who have never hes
of the famous Col. Benton would conclude from the
shining robes in which he by his Dographer
that the country scarcely contained his equal for grea
attainmens and gseat virtue. The well known shade:
which obscure the disk Of his reputation are carefully
concealed from view. His impacable resentments-
his bloody and disgraceful bros-his more than sus,
pected participation in the spo of the Missouri bank
his shameful tergiversations in politics. and nnu-
merabIe other evil deeds, which haye been held up
by the "Torch Light" 10 public indignation--w
have been boldly aud fearlessly charged, and which
stand uureuted-are all kept out of the portrait by
this most fdHlfm and impartial biographer.
Soon, we may expect that this attempt TO gull the
good people Virginia will be followed up by brilliant
sketches of other distinguished members of the laie
holy fraternity at Washington. Martin Van Buren'
bust is no doubt preparing TO ornament niche in tho
gallery John Rowan will come next; and who can
tell but that the writer of the memoirs of jackson ant
Benten may find it in his heart favor the public will
a history of b msei?
The Convention question: which is to come before
the next Virginia Legislature. is Of great npor
lance, aud which requires TO be acted on with due