The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-12
Two Scenes I'm the Progress or Col. Benton.

Two Scenes i'm the Progress OF Col. Benton.
The Democratic Banner anti Benton--furnshes
the following sketch OF scene at the meeting IN
Bowling Green, Pike county, TO hear Col. Bentons
appeal
AT the conclusion of his speech, Mr. Robert ALI
son, very respectable citizen of this county, and
personal acquaintance of Col. Benton, offered him
written question in the following words, TO wit:
''sENAToR BENTON: Owing to the difference of
opinion among the citizens OF this vicinity, with
regard to your position on the question Of the Will
mot proviso, we respectfully submit for your con
sideration the following question: to which we hope
you may be pleased to give explicit and
direct answer, and that will settle the matter with
us:
"Are you in favor of or opposed to the principles
OF the Wllmot provso, as applied to the territories
of the United States?''
This question had been previously drawn up and
signed by some of the Oldest and most prominent
James H. Hufford, Hezekiah Oden, Nathan Van
ney Mathew Owens, Harmon Hawkins, Thomas
Stanford, James Turner, James ID. McElwee, John
South Adam G, Gourley, William Luce, Cham
ton, James A. Mackey, Jos. Pugh, Thomas r.
Vaughan, John b. Henderson, p. Carr, and Enoch
Martin; but instead of giving it a respectful con-
sideration, he insutingly refused to receive it,
and treated with scorn and contempt him who Of
fercd it.
At the meeting in Rails county, the following
scene took place.
As soon as he had concluded his speech, Senator
Priest rose, and calling him by name, said that he
had question to ask him. Col. Benton seemed not
to hear him. when Senator Priest repeated little
louder 'Col. Benton. before you leave the stand
have question to submit to you" Col. Benton
turning with fire in his eye, and scowl upon his
brow, screamed at the top of his voice, ''We, sir
what is it?'' Col. Priest then remarked that he
might not understand him, and would like to know
whether "he was for or against the Wilmot provi-
sop Col. Benton's fury rising still higher, he
roared out in sneering tone, ''THE WILMoT PRO
vIso ! WILMoT rRovIso !! dead and rotten, dead
and rotten you had tpeH bring the carcass Of a
dead dog from off the commons into this house 1t is
the Jefferson prooso! SIR! Have you heard the
news? Have you heard from California; They
are all for the Jefferson prOpisO." But, says Col.
Priest, it matters not what the people of California
for, want to know whether you are for the
Wilmot proviso!
Benton-"The IVilmot propiso again, l tell you,
sir that it is the Jefferson r0pis0- but null
fer would call it the IVilmot prouiso.''
A voice from the crowd calls out, Wilmot pro-
yiso.
Benton with a scowl upon his face, looks round
the room and says, Stand out here, sir, where we
can all see you good.
The man deliberately steps out on the bench, and
repeats in full voice, Wilmot provlso
Benton, sneering and soothing, repeats Braue
fellOtD you a brave tellotcH
Then, turning to Col. Priest, he roared out 81
have been asked that question with six barrelled
revolver pointed at me, when did not answer it,
and shall not answer you, sir 20
Touching this same six barrelled revolver, we
notice that Dr. Lowry, Of Fayette, in publication
under his own name. denies that he carried any
such naughty weapon at the Benton meeting in
Fayette. He had, il is true, single barrel pistol,
designed to be used against any person who might
attack him, but the story of his having a six bar
relied shooter is condemned ellie
Missouri Repub., I'd