Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-06-11
nun,,nc BENTON.

A meeting in Columbia county, Missouri, hav-
ing recently nominated The Hon. inomas q.
Benton TO the next Presidency he aduresseu 'he
following response 10 The gentleman WIZ eoniuiu-
nicaled The proceedings: uo- ,o.,
Dear Sir: take the FIRST moment oil leisure
after my arrival al this place. 10 answer your hinu
communication OF the 18th oil January, ana 10 lei
you know how much was palped al seeing Inc
proceedings of the most respectable meeting OF
which you were chairman. II was precisely TO
lorestail and prevent such manifestations in my
favor, that spoke TO The point OF The next Presi
dency in my speech al Bonneville, in the summer
of 1874; and all the sentiments which then e1-
pressed remain in full force now strengthened and
confirmed BY all that has since happened. then
brought forward The glaTing fact that in above
flly years existence OF this federal government
The democracy OF the North have given but one
President 10 The Union, and that one for but a sim
gle term; and this (ol ate) from Southern OPP
position 10 Northern men. And then look il on
myselfo say that Ibis course things would have
10 be changed otherwise there would be an end
OF the Democratic party, or OF any Of The party
founded on political principles. and expressed my
qualification that Mr. Folks early and voluntary
selidenal had cleared The way for Northern De-
mocralic candidate in lS4S.
These were my sentiments in 1914; they are
NY sentiments now; and are mol 10 be abandoned
at the coming election when see new scheme
developed from the south for The permanent eN-
clusion Of all northern men from southern sup
port for The Presidency. The fire brand resou-
lions introduced into the Senate towards the Close
OF the late session, and their practical application
10 Oregon-by which we lost The Oregon bill, and
leave the people OF that territory year longer
without law or government, reveal This scheme,
and present new les! OF the slavery question
which no northern man can stand, and which II
adopted by he south, must put an end TO all fu-
rure supper OF northern men from The southern
Democracy. Heretofore VIC, the slaveholcing
States, have stood together upon Two points-de-
fence and compromise-Ihe defence OF property
and institutions and the compromises OF the laws
and OF The constitution, and on these Two points
the great majority oil The north, OF both political
parties, have been able 10 STAND with US. But
now new position is 10 be taken-one on which
no northern man can stand.
Propaeandism is now The doctrine Of the poll
teal sect which assumes 10 be the standard bear
er OF all the saveholding Sales; and 10 plant
slavery by law, IN all the territories OF the U.
States even The most remote hyperborean-eyen
in Oregon ITSELF and against The will OF its in
ha NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the design and The attempt.
The words of the resolutions, the speeches in
their favor and their practical application 10 The
Oregon BILL all prove this and show that The new
doctrine is intended 10 be made new political
test 10 be applied 10 all Presidential candidates IN
time TO come, and like all new tests, intended 10
supersede all former ones, and to constitute The
sole criterion for the trial OF candidates. Now
everybody must see that il Ibis new lest shall be
adopted by the saveholding States, there is an
end 10 all political support OF northern men in
these States-thal the present organization OF
Ike Ion nd 10
formed bounded by geographical lines, and rest
ing on the sole principle ofslavery. propagan
| am not prepared Tor such state OF parties,
| nor for the effect which il would have upon
The harmony anc stability Of our Federal Union.
Isee great danger 10 this new move, and feel
the necessity OF meeting it at once. In fact, We
must meet j, al once not at all; for il is pressed
upon US now, and will conquer US, II we do not
CONQUER it, The Presidential election OF ls46 is
the crisis; and il The new test can be made 10 GO
yern that election, | shall consider The danger
consumnalcd, and that there must soon be an
end moi only Of The Democratic party, but OF all
end 81 he H" Union sef Instead lnen' Of niug-
ing a personal or local feeling in favor Of parii.
cular candidates, lei US 1.-The Democratic pariy]
look TO what The good Of The Union and Of The par
| " requires, and wait 10 receive candidate from
the section of the Union which has given but one
Democratic President in near 60 years. and that
one but for single term, and which is now
threatened, 50 Tar as Southern votes are concern
ed with permanent exclusion from The Presiden-
lial office.
This, my dear sir, is my plain and settled an
swer TO your kind communication, and wish
you TO make il known 10 the members OF the
meeting OF which you were chairman, among
whom | see the names Of many old friends, and
recognize the voice OF that powerful county,
which has stood by me in every trial, lrom my
first senatorial election, in 1926, to my fifth and
| last, in 1885, and 10 which owe many hanks
which il is my intention 10 make in person dur
ing tie course ollhe coming Summer.
Respectfully, sir,
Your friend and fellow citizen,
THOMAS II BENTON.
WADE NJ JACKSON, Esq,
Howard county Mo