Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-05-25
WESTERN INTELLIGENCE. -CoLoNl

WESTERN INTELLIGENCE CoLoNEL
BINroNs SPEECH At ST. LosIs.-The court house
at ST. Louis Mo-, was crowded TO III. utmost ca
paciy OF the evening of The l3lh instant, by the
thousands anxious TO hear The promised speech
from Colonel Benton. The Union Of that city
states that men OF all political parties were pre-
sent to Learn The views Of tie distinguished SEN
a,or on The great topics Of the day-lopics Of &C.
neral int rest 10 The country, which are now asl-
lating The whole Union, and which may continue
10 aeilale il for long lime 10 come.
Col. Benton came forward amid great applause
and was listened 10 with intense interest ior up
walds OF an hour. He sci out by referring 10 The
settlement OF the Oregon question, which had been
happily done by the adoption OF the 49th paraici,
which he had favored since lSlS-IeierIed 10 inc
TACT that amid the calamilies OF lamlne, Amer
lea is now succorng CT. Britain; and passed 10 Inc
subject OF Texas, on which ne remarked mat Ne
had pursued but one course for thirty years lie
had denounced The treaty which ceded Texas, i'm
mediaely after its conclusion, and had ever since
been in favor OF redemption, but no, al the ex-
pense Of war II was under Tyler's adminisra-
lion, through negotiation, privately got up, and
for unworthy purposes, that The mischief was
done. He had opposed this treaty, although he
voted against The wishes Of his constituents; bur
he resolved 10 abide The issue and quit public lille
forever il they decIeed it. lie thanked them for
approaching his motives.
In 1912 for unworthy and selfish purposes, the
principle Of peace was broken in upon, and a
midnight messenger snaiched from the nand oil
The President elect the resolutions which have en-
tailed upon US these consequences.
From San Jacinlo il had been seen that Mex
leo could not contend in The field with The Anglo
g. To- Ca
il had BEEN evident. a II must wish Tor peace, but
mol such peace IS torce may exact.
Mr.. b. said he had expressed his opinions pub.
licly and responsibility in The Senate, both in speech
es and in votes, and privately and frankly 10 The
President whenever asked. He had done more;
he had been willing TO resign his place in The Sc
nate and 90 10 the field Of operations moi 50 much
10 command armies a> 10 make military move
menls subservient 10 diplomatic policy, and pro-
duce a peace which should be restoration a.
friendship and not mere truce, exloIted By force
from weakness, and leaving the aninosiIies Of val
behind. He who had refused embassies 10 The
first courts Of Europe, was willing 10 so 10 Mex
leo; he who had refused 70 lei his friends propose
him Tor first Major General in May, 1916, which
would have put him n the head Of The army, was
willing 10 have taken commission when The wal
began 10 lake the appearance OF continuing long,
monaIchical European party. lie was willing Il
have taken he place oi Lieutenant Genera, Tor
that would have shocked no military feeling, and
displaced no military man, and would have allow
ed,a policy, approved hy The President, 10 have
been completely carried out. He could say no
more al This time, upon that point; but when the
plan which he submitted 10 The President comes 10
be made known, i would be seen thai The military
men would have had nothing TO complain ol-.hai
Gen. Taylor, instead of struggling at Buena Wis.
"a with 5000 against 20 900, would have been adj
vancing with 20,000-lhat Gen Scott, instead ot
an enlrenched army al CerTo Gordo, would prob
ably have found The road open TO Mexico-ihal
The two generals would have met sooner than they
will in lhe city OF MeYco-and that a diplomat
ic mission, nationally constituted both in geo
graphical and political sense, and attending the
army, might have concluded peace, solid and
lasting, more readily than it will probably now
De done
He would defend slavery as il i, but had no
idea OF being treated as subverler OF The Union
il he refused 10 extend slavery 10 Oregon, against
the wishes OF its nhablans Calhoun's resolu-
lions make those who will not go their whole
length. subyerers OF the Union. II is equal to
northern abolillonsm, with reversed action
Extremes OF north and south run 10 the same
point OF intolerance and defiance. (Col. b. did
moi mention Calhoun by name) The speaker
had taken his stand from the first, denouncng the
resolutions as frebrands They defeated The
Oregon bill.
Col .Rspinn al times, spoke with great lcrvor,
and with that impressi~~n~ea ~ amnhasis wkei,
is peculiar TO him.