The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-06-08
LIEUT.. General Thomas H. Benton and the
Presidency.

7. 10.
DEAR SIR:-I take the first moment Of leisure aftor
my arrival ut this Placeo your kind communca-
o. '~s s. o.an ana to let you know how
respectable meeting Of which you were chairman IL
was precisely TO foress and prevent such manifesto
tons In my favor that spoke the point of the next
presidency in my speech at Boonvis in the summer OF
ls44; and all the sentiments which then expressed re-
all that has since happened then brought forward the
garng fact that In above fifty years existence Of this
federal government tho democracy Of the north had
given but one President to the Union that one but
for a single term and this (of late) from southern
self to that this course of things wonJ have 10 ~
changed otherwise there would be end Of demo-
cratic party or fanny party founded political prin
early and voluntary self denial had cleared the way
northern democratic candidate in ls4s
These were sentiments In 1874; they senti-
ments and not to be abandoned at the coming
election, when see new scheme developed from the
south for the permanent exclusion Of all northern
from southern support for the presidency. The fire
brand resolutions introduced into the Senate towards
the close Of the late session. and their practical appca
ton to Oregon (by which we lost the Oregon bin and
leave the people Of that Territory year longer without
law or government reveal this scheme and present
new test on the slavery question which no northern
must put an end to all further support o: northern
men from the southern democracy Heretofore We tho
slave holding States have stood together upon two
pontsdefence and compromise the defence Of property
and institutions and the compromises Of the laws
nnE ne rss ana on or these two
political parties, have been able to stand with
But now position Ia to be taken--bne
which no northern man can stand Propagandsm is
the doctrine Of tho political sect which BIZ the
standard bearer Of all the slave holding States; and to
plant slavery by law In all the territories of the United
States even the most hyperboreaneven In Oregon It.
self and against the will OF its observation-disclosures
the design and the attempt The words of TIE resou-
tions tho speeches In their favor and their practical
pcatou to the Oregon bill, all prove this and show
that the doctrine Is intended to be made po-
tcal test to be applied TO all presidential candidates In
time como, and like al tests intended to SUPER
sede all former and to constitute the sole criterion
for the trial Of candidates Now everybody be
that II this test shall be adopted by the slavehld
northern these states-that present organi-
cation Of parties must be- broken up, and party
formed bounded by geographical lines and resting
prepared for such Of parties for the effect
which It would have upon the harmony and stability Of
our federal Union great danger In this move,
aud feel the necessity Of meeting 1t at In fact,
must meet 1t ut once, not at all; for It Ia
pressed upon us and will conquer Ii
do not conquer It,. The presidential election Of
lS4S In the crisis and II the test be made t.
govern that election shal consider the danger
mated aud that there must be end not only Of
the democratic party. but of all parties founded ON prn
cipe. and eventually, end Of the Union itself In
stead them Of INDUCING personal local feeling In ia
Of particular candidates. let the democratic
party requires and wait to receive candidate from that
section OF the Union which has given but demo-
cratic president In sixty and that but for
n single term. and which IL threatened far us
Southern voters concerned. with exciu-
sion from the presidential office.
This my dear sir, is my plain and settled answer to
your kind communication. and ! wish you to make II
known to the members Of the meeting Of which you
were chairman. among whom see the names of many
old friends aud recognise he voice of that powerful
county. which has stood by ina every trial from my
first senatorial election in 1920 to fifth and last In
1874 and to which many thanks which IL my in-
sntion to make in person during the course Of the
coming summer Respectfully, sir.
Your friend anu fellow. citizen,
THOMAS II. BENTON