The Arkansas banner., 1849-07-24
rAo,nas Hart Bcn.on.


 Ihongh his senimsnss so cautiously expressed have eaciied surprise they have aroused the people to
 sense ef thsf perlIOus situation, and warned them seriously tS ponder question lraaght with the most dangerous and unhappy consequences to the unioa- | Tko Missouri Senator has deserted his old con fejerates. He has espOused cause whieh. 'n his pureE and earlier days, he opposed with a courage and maHliness that eouid only proceed from con coss feeling sf reciitude and full possession ol the virtues that emanate from the incorruptibse heart. Then there Dtniking from responsibility apologies or explanations necsssary--Bo soPhis- try required-but, in the halls of Congress. face to face he met his antagonists. relying solely upon the justice of his cause to sustain his conduct. He !. now preaching the people of Missouri crusade against slavery while he aids and aPpIauds the fanatics of the north in their unhOy war upon southern rights, Hand in hand with the treacherous Van Buren, he has broken every tie of afiliation that bound him to the south. Having buried his inextinguishable anmosity in the same igHomniOas cause, he filings his chances of future honors upon the desperate conflict that must ousue. aud hopes, by the inrong waves of triumphant abolition, to 5e gaIlantIy borne into the presidential chair.
 MF. Benton fayors the passage of the Wilmot proviso, and to that end, is devOtng all of his tal ents, energy, and influence. Witha hyPocritical spirit of peace and forbearance, he dsprecates the existence of difference of opinion upou this sub ject, and depIores, with wonderful solemnty, the chivslry of the south in resisting the aggressons of the north and hurting back their insults and tuniely.
 Mir Benlons whole speech breathes bitter hos tty against the south and all that is dear to it. It Purports to contain cogent reasons for disobeying the instructions of his constituency but is in fact, nothing more than satire upon MT. Calhoun aud the southern members of Congress. He is an apoo- gist for his conduct and opinions throughout the whole document, and justiiies his conduct by the flmsies, sophs,ry. He desires to be with the fee soilers, acknowledges the consttu,ionality of the Wilmot proviso, and is willing 10 go any length with Giddings. Hale, and Tuck, in subjecting to the mortifying condition of submission to disgrace or open hostile resistance. He says the prOviso is a useless law, mere empty provision, our terri tories are, by law and in fact and will forever main, free from the institutions of slavery. Why, then, gre we 10 be subjected to insult by the pas sage of empty provision-a useless law Why has he turned us the cold shoulder and espous cd with snch vehemence the of the northern enihusiasts7 If it be true that we neither gain or lose by triumph or defeat, why does the north continue her heartless persecations1 The right to manage and control their internal affairs is right gaarantied to the States by the constitution, and if that right however trivial and unirnportant in its nature, should be invaded with impunty, what curity have that these rights-whlch uiiai to our lbertes-wi be observed aud respected by graspiug neighbors! II we tamely and quietly sub init to this iugiFons act of injustice, will not soon be called upon to make additional surrendersl Where is this commencement to have an endf
 Mir. Benton's motives for arrayiug himself against
 the south lie deeper than the reasons rendered. His former irregular and odiOus in Congress has reBdercd him unpopular in the south. lt is neces- sary, for the promotion of his ambitious aspirations, to court new friends and form alliances. His opposition to the Texan anaexaiiou, he weIiknows, is remembered with no kind feelings. His pugeue- rous movement in relation to the protocol, for the purpose of blastlng fell stroke the reputation of the Ianented and beloved Polk, and rObbhg us of our territory acquired in the late war; his un- feeling speech against gallant officer of the army, the last words of which had scarcely died upon his
 lips ere the spirit of his victim had fled this earth these things, Thomas Hart Benton well knows. arc treasured up against him with no spirit of love and kindness, and that they will work his doom unless his shattcfed hopes propPed by other and less sensitive friends. Having forfeited all claims upon the south. he turns with ready aacrity to the north, believing. in this apon us, deserters and traitors received with open arms and friendly embrace.
 [ But let not Mr. Benton deceive himself: let him beware how he throws himself upon the sincerity of these unnatural friendships and alliances; for, after tho heat and turmoil of this debate shai sub side, the nober and more generous sentiments of neighbon will find place in their bosou,s. They may regard treaehery badge of disgrace instead of work of honor, and judge the traitor to his con- stiiueuts unworthy recipient of their favor, but
 fit personsge 10 close his life in relnorseful retire. mont like the "las, Peid" to hide his head very shame.