Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-06-23
MR., BENTON'S LETTER

Sulioined is the letter of Mr.. Benton noticed in
our last It was called forth by the proceedings of
a Convention in Missouri, at which he was nomi-
mated tor.the Presidency:
ST. LOUIS, May r, 1917.
Dear Sir-I take the first moment of leisure after
uEy arrival at ts place 10 answer your kind con-
alunicaton OF the 18th Of January, and to let you
>uow how much was panied at seeing the procee-
dlngs of the mostrespectabe meeting of which you
were chairman. 1t was precisely to forestall and
prevent such manifestation in my favor that spoke
10 the point OF the next Presidency il my speech at
Ioonville in the summer Of 1874; and all the SEN
tments which then express ed remain III full force
now strengthened and confirmed by all thathas since
happcnea.
then brought forward the glazing fact that in
ABOVE fifty wears existence this federal government
tie democracy of the north had given but one Pres
itcnt to the Union aud tha one but for single term;
AID this (of late) from southern opPositlonto nor
ten men. And then took II on myself to say that
tbs course of things would have TO be changed 9TH
wise there would be an end of the democratic party
founded on political principles, and expressed my
grithc alton that Mr. Folks early and voluntary
sci denial had cleared the way for a northen dem
occatic candidate in 1913. These were my SEN
tirients in Is II they are my sentiments how, and
arc not to be abandoned at the coming election,
wien | see new scheme developed from the south
1olthe permanent exclusion oil all northern men from
southern support for the presidency. The fire brand
res)l tions introduced INTO the Senate towards the
close Of the late session. and their practical appli
cat on to 0regon( by which we lost the Oregon BILL
ano leave the people of that territory year longer
without law orgovenmcnt) reveal this scheme,and
present a new test on the slavery question, which
10 lorthem man can stand and which, il adopted by
! oil
! northern men from the southern democracy.
Heretofore we the slave holding states have stood
together upon two points-dc.cnce and compromise
tic defence ofpropcrty and institutions and the
con promises OF the laws and Of the conSttutlonand
on lce two points the great majority of the north
/ oihth political parties, have been able 10 stand
Wit US But now a new position is 10 be taken
! one On which no northern man can stand. Propa-
! 2aucism is now the doctrine of the political sect
vhi assumes TO lie the standard bearer OF all the
! sia,holdIng states: and to plant slavery. by law,
in all the territories OF the United States, the
mos, Iemote hyperboTeau-eycn IN Oregon itself,
and against the will ofits observation-disclosures the
design and the attempt!
lie words oithe resolutions the speeches in their
fayoI and their practical application TO the Oregon
/ bill al prove this and show that the new doctrine
is nsudcd to be made political test, to be APP
pEcato all presidential candidates in time to come,
and Ike all new tests, rteadei to suYe.ccde ator-
iner ones and TO constitute the sole criterion tori the
/ trial d candidates. Now everybody must see that
If thisnew test shall be adopted by the sayehodng
statesthere is end to all political support north
zen men in these state - hat the present organiza-
ton a parties must be broken up, and a new party
iormel bounded by geographical lines and resting on
tie soc principle OF slavery propagandism. | am
not prepared tor such state OF parties, nor for the
I effect ahich it would have upon the harmony and
stability Of our federal Union. see great danger in
this NJ. move, and feel the necessity ofmeeting in
at onc3
In fict we must meet It at once not at ali; loI
! it is prssed upon now, and will couquerus five
DO no, conquer it. The presidential election Of 1915
is the ,risis and if the new test be made TO 60
yern that election, shall consider the danger con
| summHed. and that there must soon be ali end not
only the democratic party. bot OF all parties found
ed on principle and eventually end oithe Unior
itself Instead then Of INDUCING personal or local
feeling IN favor Of particular candidates, let US, (the
democratic party look to what the goodof the Cn;or
aud OF tie party requires and wait to recievea can
didate from that section of the Union, which ha:
given but one democratic President IN near sixty
years and that ore but for single term. and which
IS nov threatened, far southern voters are con
ceTne1, with permanent exclusion nom the pfesiden
tel Office
LOIS, my dear SIR, Is ny pam ana settie0 dus'e
| to Your kind communication. ard ] wish you e
make ii known 70 the members of the meeting o
which you were chairman among whom see IN
names of many old friends and recognize the voice
Of that nowcTlxl couniry, which has stood by me II
evcry trial from my first sesaforial election IN $40
to nv fifth and last in 1914. and TO which owe
many thanks, which il is my intention TO make II
persoo during the course Of the coming Summer.
Respectfully ST, your friend and fellow citizen,
THOMAS II. BENTON.