Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-06-03
A LETTER FROM Mn. BENTON.
FROM rnE NEW YORK EVENING rosr.

fkoM TAE SEW YORK EVENING PosT.
Mn. BESroS NEw TEsr.-In letter written
tear ago. Mr. Benton exposed the danger Of the new test
attachment the Of slavery which was then Just
beginning be mentioned bat which has since been boldly
and arroganty imposed, only the case Of candidates for
Office in she General Government but in the case of delegates
10 he National Convention Of the Democratic party The
language which he spoke Of this test does credit both to
ms Of justice and to his foresight He said The
Presidential election Of the crisis and the new tes,
can be made govern that election, shall consider the
danger consummated, and that there would so be an end
not only Of the Democratic party but Of parties founded upon
principle and finally of the Union itself"
We give the letter. which l. as perfectly applicable
70 the state Of things existing if had been written
yesterday
MR.. BENroN'S LETTER
70 the Chairman Of the Hocard county Conrenion ,Iic
nominated him for the Presidency,
ST. LorIs, MAr T. lsi7
DEAR SIR take the first of leisure after nv ar
vai al this place to your kind communication of the
3h Of January and let you know how much was panied
seeing the proceedings the respectable meeting of
watch you chairman Il precisely to foesall and
prevent such manifestations in my favor that spoke 10 the
point Of the next Presidency my speech Boonye in the
sumner of 1874 and all the which then ex
pressed remain full force now, and confirmed
~ al that has since happened then brought forward the
garng fact that in about fifty existence of this Federal
President 10 the Union, and that but for single term
and this of lae) from Southern opposition 10 Northern
And then took myself say that this course of
things would have TO be changed otherwise there would
end 10 the Democratic pary any other party founded
potics principles and expressed my qualification thai Mr.
Poks early and voluntary sedena had cleared the way for
Northern Democratic candidate in 1913.
These weTe my sentiments 1874 they are nv senti-
ens now, and 10 be abandoned the coming cleo
On when see scheme developed from the South for
the permanent exclusion of all Northern men from Southern
support Of the Presidency The reband resolutions intro.
doced into the Senate towards the close the session. and
their practicable application Oregon (y which we lost the
Oregon bill, and leave the people Of Territory year
longer without law government reveal this scheme and
present new test on the slave question which no Northern
stand and which, If adopted by the South must
put end 70 all future Democracy. Heretofore We the
slavehodng states have stood together two pontse-
fence and compomsehe defence Of property and nsu-
ons and the compromise Of the laws and OF the constitutions
and on these two points the majority Of the North
both political parties, have been able TO stand with u.s.
But now ne. position is TO be aken-one on which no
Northern stand Propagandsn i now the doctrine
o. political sect which the standard bearers ot
all the ssvehodng States and plant slavery by-law In
all the Territories Of the United ;a,es-even the most remote
and hyperborean Oregon ;se and agans, the will OF
its inhabtsnisbecomes the design and attempt The word.
Of the resolutions, and the speeches in their favor and their
practicable application OF the Oregon bill all prove this and
show that the doctrine intended 70 be made new no
lcs test 70 be applied to all Presidential candidates in time
and, like all tests, intended to supersee Al
former ones aud constitute the sole criterion for the trial
candidates Now, every body that, if this new es
shall lie adopted by the sayehoding States there is an end
all political support Of Northern in these States that To
present organization Of parties must be broken up, and uev
party formed bounded by geographical lines, and resting
tie sole principle q slavery propsgandism. pre-
pared for such state Of parties for the effect which
would have upon the harmony and stability OF Federa
Union.
see great danger ia this new move and feel the
Of meeting il q, In fact must meet II at once
no, a; all Tor II l. pressed upon now and will conquer
we do not conquer i. The Presidential election OF 1874
the crisis, and, the be made 10 govern hs
election, shall consider the danger contaminated and tha
there must soon be an ed ONLY OF the Democratic party
but Of parties iounded upon principle and eventually an en-
81 the Union ITSELF Instead, tbeo nduping personal
local feeling in favor Of particular candidates. let us be De
osc pary) look TO what the good of the Union and OF IN
party requires, and wait 70 receive candidate from that sec
tion OF the Union which has given hut one Democratic Pres
dent IN sixty years, and that but for single term
and which is threatened far a. Southern voters ar
concerned with permanent exclusion from the Presidents
oeice.
This, my dear s u my plain and settled answer 10 YOU
kDd communication, and wish % make i known 10 N
members Of the Meeting of which you were chairman anon
whom see the OF many old friends and recognise Il,
voice Of that powerful county which has stood by me IN ever
frsl from first Senatorial election $50 10 nv 6fb an
last IN 1874, and TO which owe many thanks which IL N
intention 70 make in person during the Of the comm
somnet.
Respectfully, sir, your friend and fellow citizen.
THOMAS H. BENTON.
10 WApE VI. JACKSON, Howard county.