The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-02-07
COL. BENTON's TRICK.

Col. Benton saw very plainly that the JONI
Resolution for the Annexation Of Texas, which
had been adopted BY the House, was Destined
without the Interposilion Of some straagem TO
divert lis advocates from their course, TO go
through the Senate. He knew that II the De-
moerats--lhe friends Of the President elect
should 90 for il in a body, there were several
Wings who would not oppose IL, and conse-
quently il would pass.
But such contamination would not be a
yindicalion Of Col. Benton, nor OF some oil
the Southern Wings, who had been placed IN
false position by Mr.. Clay's famous Raleigh
letter. Therefore they (Col. Benton and The
Whigs) held consultations 10 devise the means
of escape from the dilemma in which they
found themselves placed. Twas agreed TO wait
until the propositions before the Senate should
be reported against. Such report was, oil course,
10 create the inference that the Wing par
~ in the Senate would go against the
House measure. While this conviction was
ON the minds Of the advocates Of Annexation,
MIR. Benton was to rise, offer his fantastic crop
tailed spawn, as a " compromise" and make a
solemn declaration that he land of course he
relies upon carrying two Democrats with him.
could not aud would not vote for Mr.Brown's mea-
sure. II these maneuvres were not sufficient to
strike the true friends of the measure with con-
sternalion, and force them TO become tractable
and plastic in the hands Of the consprators,
another blow was aimed at them in the august
person of Mr. Riyes, whom they may have cal
culated upon in an emergency, who stepped
forward and minated that no reliance should
be placed on him by the friends of this great
national measure. But Mr.. Rives limited
pretty strongly that Mr.. Benton,s curtailed
mouse might be adopted as a" compromises
Even Mr.. Barrow, the most rabid Wing and Ill
ira anti-Annexalionist in the Senate, did not hest
tate to come forward to the relief of his friend,
Colonel Benton. In short, all the Wing oppo-
nents of Annexation hint at the prospect of a
80 compromise" on Colonel Benton's spawn, and
seem TO be particularly averse TO the adoption
Of Mr.. Browns plan-now the only plan, as they
very well know, which can possibly pass. -
While reading the enticements and tempta-
tons thrown out by the Wings, to induce a
sham rally on the " compromise" of their friend
Benton, we were reminded of the temptations Of
the Devil on the mountain and our only regret
was that some true man did not rise in his place
and rebuke the evil spirit.
We append some of Mr.. Barrow's inducing
remarks:
1t wac right and proper that this proposition
connected as il was with subject that every Senator
had Investigated to certain extent, should 90 to The
Committee Oh Foreign Relations and he desired it
for these reasons. He thought It practicable and be
did not by any deem it improbable, that large
portion Of the Senator's embracing Wings and Demo
crats, might unite upon ground. He thought
that the bill submitted to the Senate this morning
opened the toay to compromise. Ii was well under.
stood that on his side of the house very LARGE ma
jory-D not all efhe Senator's certainly very large
portion Of them-objected to the bill which had pass
cd the other branch Of Congress upon constitution
al grounds; while some who had this difficulty in
their way, were very willing TO take the in
itiatory step towards the acquisition of Texas and
its admission into the Union rs State, in con-
stiiitional way. He repeated, if those constitu-
tional objections were removed, there were many
this side of the house who would not only be willing
but some Of them very anxious to see Texas annex
ed. He was not one Of that number but, notwith.
standing the language which he had used yesterday
the day before, that did not prevent him. in his
opposition to Texas now, or at any future period
when attempt might be made to bring it into the
Union, either under the treaty making power or by
the action Of Congress- from saying, he would now
take occasion to say, that if the proposition should
be submitted to him, at any future lime, in const-
tional way, (and he perfectly satisfied, after
good deal OF intercourse with his constituents
thata very large majority Of them were in favor Of
annexation,) he would hesitate long there being no
constitutional difficulty in the way, before he would
put himself in the way Of the attainment of any OBJ
ject which they had SO much at heart He would de-
hbcrate and doubt long before he would resist the
fulhiment and contamination of their wishes merely
because he considered himself that would be high
ly imprudent and prejudcia TO the interests of the
people Of Louisiana. IL they were willing to bring
upon themselves ruin, which he thought would be the
result 10 them of the annexation of Texas to the
United States, he might, upon the conditions stated,
be content TO be ruined with them but he did not
say 1t now"
Thus we see the Senate listening very grave
ly to the advice Of an anti-anne xationist, who
attempts TO teach the advocates of the measure
the way to defeat him. Satan did not promise
10 become Christian; nor does Mr. Barrow
pledge himself to become an annexationist, af-
ter the lapse of 20 years, should he succeed in
having il postponed that long.