Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1839-08-10
From the Ozark, l.llo.1 StGndard.)
TuOS. III. BENTON

(Ifom The Ozark, (.i01 St1naard)
Tu0S. II. BENTON.
The citizens Of Springfield, learning, on the
eyeau. Of the Both ultimo, that this distinguish.
sjndydual would be in town on the following
mornng, Immediately adopted means to prepare
i5rhis reception. Notwithstanding the few hours
notice Of bis intended visit, large and respecta.
BE number of our citizens were soon collected,
gho marched out and intercepted him about five
nles from this place After a warm and hearty
slutalion. the company turned and escorted him
BIN to town, where lie was received with uniyer.
. sal gIadness
Prompted by an anxiety to give an exhibition
Of their esteem for their worthy, long tried and
faithful representative, our citizens immediately
resolved to tender him public dinner Accor-
dngly u meeting was called for the purpose of
appointing committee TO make known this de
sire, and the following persons were selected
Mossrs John p Campbell, n. R. Smith, B. A.
james, r. X Payne, w. B. Chapmon, Thos r.
Hunt, c. A. IIaden, Cyrus Stark, Charles S.
Yancey, j. I, Campbell, and L. ID. Mckinney.
The following correspondence occurred be.
tween the committee and Col. Benton, copy of
which has been handed to us for publication:
CFElNdf tELD' oIs| may, 1859.
Hon. Tnos H. BENToN--Sjr-The citizens
Of Springfield, anxious 20 avail themselves of
your prcsen, visit to testify their regard for your
numerous and valuable services, would, through
the Undersigned their committee, respectfully
tender TO YOU public dinner 10 be given at such
time As may saIl your convenience.
We take tins occasion to express our entire
apptoba o (aUd we believe il to be the almost
unanimous sentiment OF the people Of the South
west OF your long tried services in the councils
Of the National Legisdture--of your firm, con.
sIsien', and underwriting support of the pinc-
pies OF Democracy, by adherlng TO her cause
when old friends had lorsaken il and when sub
jects Of the most exciting character and prevail
ing interests conyulsed our common country
They well recolIeCt, that when pretended friends
were deserving, you stood firm by the patriotic
President jackson during his administrations an
Administration transcendentIy glorious its HIM
self as well as beneficial to the cUnlry. They
are also satisfied Of your statesmanlike and parl.
otto support Of the interests Of the West--of the
hrmness and ability with which you supported that
measure which had for its object the peopng of
The Far VEST and GROWING il with the culture
Of lreemen.
With the hope that the above tender will meet
With your APPRECIATION, we subscribe ourselves,
respectively,
Your obedient and humble servants,
JOHN 7. CAMPBELL, and others.
SPRINGFIELD June l, 1899.
Gentemen-It gives me great pleasure to ac
knowledge the receipt Of your kind letter Of nyi.
Iaton TO apublic dinner, and to make my thanks
lor The tlatenng terms in which tits expressed
bui has not been my custom to accept public
honours Of this kind, and in my present tour over
he State Il has been my plan TO travel in way TO
avoid all political excitement and party feeling
and to see the people generally, without form or
ceremony and without regard 10 political disnc.
lions. travel to see the people and the coun-
ny, to learn their wants and their wishes, to thank
lhem Tor their past support and fayors, and wish
10 promote an easy intercourse with all that shall
70 me the honor to make my acquaintance
The time Is coming, think, when we shall be
more harmonious than we have been for some
years past, and when experience shall prove the
4'iy and wisdom of the great measure Of Gen.
Jackson's administration and reunite the friends
'i tho country in the supper. Of common
ana the termination Of that institution, was mea.
sure which necessarily divided opinions in free
county, where every citizen was at liberty TO
MINK FOR hmself and the Unprecedented efforts
winch were made TO make people believe, that
Mere was not gold and silver enough in the world
70 supply the place Of L. s. Bank notes; and
Aal all debtors must be fuined oil prices fall 10
Ho'aine; all property be sacrificed and all labor
cease ior want Of pay; the unparalleled efforts
"hlch were made 10 impress all these gloomy ap-
pehenslons on the public mind, were well calcu-
la'ed to distract and alarm the people; and, for
Hhe the effort was such as 10 delude many good
chzens. But the season for mistakes and errors
and division Of opinion has now passed away,
ana all must that the day OF the downfall Of the
National Bank was the day Of the uprising Of
Inc national prosperity; for, with the exception Of
ne brief intervals Of artificial distress and panic.
manufactured by the Bank and its friends, the in.
crease of the public prosperity has been con
slant aud regular since that day. and now, at the
enc OF seven years from The veto, we all see that
'he prices Of labor, produce and property are, on
Oh average, about three times as great as they
were when we had national Bank, and Fed
efaI administration 10 rule over us This il re-