Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-06-29

who calls himself Tom Benton, TO note
, with what caressing fondness the fedora
wings have greeted his detection from the
interests of the South, and the principle!
of the democratic party. Who has evel
heard of Mr.. Calhoun saying or writing &
word to his disparagement? When ha:
Mr.. Calhoun attempted to injure HIM with
the democratic party, or the American
people? Yet has he pursued with the
most rancorous and vindictive hate, one
of the most enlightened statesmen, and
purest patriots. His every assault has
been hailed by the wings with the keenest
delight. Knowing, as they did, that the
principles of Mr.. Calhoun stood out in
inexorable opposition to their own, they
regarded every blow that fell on him, as
aimed al the vitals Of the democratic
creed.
In all free governments it has been the
fate of the popular party, at some time or
other, TO be seduced into a false position
by the wiles of some bold and reckless
adventurer, and if the democratic party
should ever be infatuated enough 20 attach
IFS fortunes to the selfish and unprincipled
demagogue OF Missouri, that hour will
prove the period of its downfall. The
party owes it TO itself TO renounce all con-
neclion with Tom Benton. From his
earliest boyhood, his moral vision has been
perplexed with dangerous obiqui,y; his
manhood has not proved recreant TO the
promise of his youth. There are some
crimes which have in their nature, some
thing of the sublime in spite of their afro
city, which show that the author might
still assert some vestiges of honor, and
had preserved beneath the brand of in
iquity, the evidences of better nature;
There are other offences, which could have
proceeded alone from sordid depravity,
indisposed to aspire TO even all elevated
wrong; and the State perhaps has guar
anty for the safe.conduct of some poli,i.
clans, in the fact that a life commenced
by a petty larceny, will never end in trea.
SON. We would say 10 the infatuated
followers of this arrogant and vindicliye
iemagngue, they will inficta an irreparable
injury on their principles. Any party
would break down which would attempt to
pear The burden and degradation Of his
Infamous character. If in some hour of
ieep delusion the democratic party could
SO far forget itself as to select him for a
leader, they would be compelled to blot
from their banner the Eagle and the Stars,
and supply the places of those proud in
sigma with the efigies Of the pillory and
whipping post. We have little doubt that
Benton would tain defeat the party in the
present election, to punish them for disre.
garding his injunctions. 1t is gall and
worm wood to his malignant, dictatorial
spirit, TO be compelled to support the no.
mination, but he would render himself
poweress not to do so.
Our opponents, the wings, may have
rulers, and dictators if they like, we want
none. The domineering, insolent, bully.
ing disposition Of Benton is inconsistent
with democratic principles. He assumes
the air Of one who was born to command.
and was benton carrying out his destiny.
Unquestionable talents he has, but they
are like the brilliant spots on loathsome
snake, serving to render his malignant
nature more hideous by the contrast =
Some of our friends may think we speak
too harshly of this man, but we believe
every true democrat ought to disown him.
A mans life, like a fountain, if polluted at
the source, will scarce flow to its destina-
ton free from deilement, and in the pre-.
sent instance, the stream has murky and
claysh look. From the extracts which
follow, it will appear that we are not sin
gular in the belief that this man is actuated
BY selfish, enyious, and unworthy mo-
tives, for his late conduct. With the pre-.
sent remarks we take leave Of him for the
present canvass, but before doing so, we
would again exhort the democratic party
to renounce all connection with man,
who contains within himself sufficient ell.
ements of mischief to ruin any party that
chose to become responsible for his sins.