The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-01-21
COL. BENTON'S LETTER TO THE PRESi-
DENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE
CONVENTION.
WASHINGTON Cry, Dee. 10th, 1884.

been duly received, ana tifhe great peasuie III re-
turning YOU my thanks for the friendship you have
shown me. and which | shall be happy to acknowl-
edge by acts rather than words whenever an opporu-
nifty shall occur.
;rbe recommendation for the Vice Presidency of
the United States which the democratic Convention
of your State has done the honor to make Is, IN
the highest degree, flaterng and honorable to me,
and commands the expression OF my deepest graft
tude but Justice to myself and TO political friends
requires me to say at once, and with the candor and
decision which rejects all Disguise and palters with
no reraction, that cannot consent to go upon the
list of candidates for the eminent office for which
have been proposed. M
| consider, the ensuing election for President and
Vice President, as among the most important that
ever took place in our country-ranking with that
of 1900, whenthe democratic principle first triumphed
in the person of Mr. Jefferson and with the two eec-
tions of 1928 and 1882, when the same principle
again triumphed in The person of General Jackson
and should look upon all the advantages recovered
for the constitution and the people, in these two last
triumpis lost and gone, unless the democracy OF
the Union shall again triumph IN the election OF
1886. To succeed III that election, will require the
most perfect harmony, and union among ourselves
To secure this union and harmony, must have as
few aspirants for the Office Of President and Vice
President, as possible and.to diminish the number
ofthese aspiran.s, for one, shall refuse to go upon
the list and will remain in the ranks of the voters
porting the election of the candidates which shall be
selected by "A General Convention of the democratic
party.
But while respectfully declining for myself the
highly honorable and flattering recommendation OF
your convention, take particular pleasure in ex-
pressing the qualification which feel, at seeing the
nomination which you have made III favor of MIR.
Van Buren,. have known that gentleman long, and
intimately. We entered the Senate of the United
States together, thirteen years ago. sat SIX years IN
seats next to each other, were always personally
friendly generally acted together on leading subjects,
and always interchanged communications, and re-
ciprocated confidence; and thus occupy n position
TO give me an opportunity of becoming thoroughly
acaainted with his principles and character, the
result of the whole has been that have long since
considered him, and indicated him to my friends
as the most fit and suitable person to illlhc prcs
dental chair after the expiration of President jack
sons second term-In political principals he Is
thoroughly democratic, and comes as near the JET
fersonian standard as any statesman now on the
stage of public life. In abilities experience and busi
ness habits he is beyond the reach ofcavl or dispute
Personally he is inattackable for the whole vol
ume of his private life contains not single act
which requires explanation, or defence. In con
sttutional temperament he is peculiarly adapted TO
the station and the times .or no human being could
be more free from every taint OF envy, maignity or
revenge or could possess IN more eminent degree
of manners, which contributes much to the sue
cessful administration of public affairs, and is
sential and becoming, in high public funcuonary.
The State from which he comes, and of which,
successive elections for two and twenty years prove
him to be the avorte son, is also to be taken INTO
the account list of his recommendations; that great
State which, in the evenfu struggle of 1900, turned
the scales of the presidential election in favor OF Mr.
Jeferson-which has supported every democratic
administration from that day to this IA State which
now numbers two millions of finhabitants-gves for
ty-two votes in the presidential electon-and never
saw one of her sons exalted to the presidential
office.
But, what has he donel What has Mr. Van Buren,
DONE that he should be elected President! This is
the nuuiry as ppantly, as gnorantly, put by those
who would VEIL or disparage, the merits of this gen
teman: when it would be much more regular and
pertinent to ask what has such man as this done,
that he should not be made President But, to an
swer the inquiry as put. Itmight perhaps, be sut-
fcient so far at least the comparative merits OF
competitors are concerned to point to his in
the Senate of the United States during the eight
years that he sat in that body, and 20 his conduct
since i'm the HIGH officers to which he has been called
by his native State, by President jackson, and by
the American People This might be sufficient be-
tween Mr.. Van Buren, and others but 1t would not
be sufficient for himself. Justice to h'm would re-
auire the answer to 90 further bacl--to the oi
iSI2-when he was member of the New York
Senate-when the fate OF Mr. Madison.s admnis-
tration and of the Union itself depended upon the
conduct ofhat great State-grcat in men and means
Aid great in position frontier to New England
and to Canada--to British and Hartford Con-
veat.on treason-and when that conduct TO the dis
may of every patriot bosom, was seen to hang, for
nearly two years, in the doubtful scale of suspense
The Federalists had the majority in the House OF
Representatives; the democracy had the Senate
and the Governor: and for two successive sessions
no measure could be adopted in support of the war.
Every aid proposed by the Governor and Senate,
was rejected by the House ofRepresentatives Every
State paper issued by one, was answered 10y the
other. Continual disagreement took place. innumer-
able conferences were had the hall of the House
of Representatives was the scene of contesation