New-York daily tribune., 1849-08-04
The Agitation In Missouri-Coi. Benton n,
Liber;y-HeadiDg OG-Prospects oi w"
Bullion and Slavery Extension.
rTesuOndence Oi Tho Inbune

foTesyOndence OF Inc InDuhr-
ST LOUIS No. July q l'''
The s,,i,nde at present occupied by ColBentou
N this State upon question involving deeply lts
future prosperity, It's Influence and us s1a"uihs
and which seems TO claim no small share Of public
attention abroad, induces me 70 give you a nasty
glance at the passing events that attend his pro
gress through Missouri. The speech which he de
hvered at Lexington, is ere this before you, and
doubtless has received your own comments. That
made by him at Liberty, Ia Clay County, on the
10Th INST has not yet been received at TINS place
though the exciting circumstances surrounding It's
delivery have been pretty generally detailed Dy
private letters received by Loco Focos from their
political friends at the seat Of war
All accounts agree IN one particular and that
II. that a prsconcerted plan bas been set on foot
10 prevent favorable action at Liberty in favor Of
Col benton. even If fraud and force had TO be re-
sorted TO for the purpose OF accomplishing that
end. The head and front OF this conspiracy was
Judge Birch, most unfortunate selection to give
either weight or character 10 whatever might be
attempted under his auspices Upon the arrival
Of COL Benton at Liberty, he was given to under
stand by some OF the Calhoun men, that Judge
Birch en- pected TO meet him IN debate This gave
Col. Benton great offense. as lie regarded the
selected champion OF ms opponents IN no very
euviabls light, either as private citizen or pub
lic man, and as a foe wholly unworthy OF hssteel
Nothing daunted by this rebuff OF d" Oid Buiiion,'
Birch aud bis friends took possession OF tie Court
House several hours before the time appointed
Tor Col Benton TO speak, and inflicted as senseless
TRADE OF wsdde upon the audience as was ever
listened TO. This he persisted IN up to the hour
that Benton expected at the Court House
but instead of going there, he proceeded TO b
grove near by the town, whittier he was followed
by nine. .tenths of the people assem- bed, aud ~
whom he spoke for upward OF three hours. The
propositions he discussed were fret, the unqaes'
tiouable power that Congress possessed and had
exercised for sixty years over the subject OF Sa-
ysry as applicable to the Territories OF the Juited
states Second the authorship of the Anti Sa-
very proviso, which he maintained belonged to
Thomas Jefferson. and not 10 Davy WiimOt.
Third, the justice aud proprety OF excluding
Slavery from California and New Mexico Fourth,
the nullIiying and disdnOn principles contained M
the resolutions of instructions adopted by bare
majority OF the Legislature of this State and
lastly, the reason why such resolutions were
neither binding upon the Senators In Congress nor
upon tho Democracy OF the State OF Mlssour. The
private letters received In this city concur IN the
expression of the opinion that Benton was never
more pow efful clear, in any effort that he has
made, and that at least eight tenths OF the Loco
Eocos of Clay County endorsed his sentiments,snd
approved the course he had taken, and declared
he should pursue for the future, In opposing the
extension of Slavery another foot over any tern
tory of the United States. Completely discomht-
cd by the overw helming expression OF confidence
IN Col Benton by the masses assembled, Judge
Birch, with few selected Pro-Slavery spirits,
repaired again in the evening to the Court House
IN town, and there passed resolution condemn
ing Col Benton. and sustaining the resolu-
tIons OF Instructions OF the Legislature. While
however, Judge Birch was making his second
speech at the Court House In the evening, he took
occasion To initiate the example OF all demagogues
by charging, that all persons who sustained Col
Benton in his anti-slavery views were nothing
more nor less than rank AboltOnlsts Present
among the crowd was Mr.. l.. Routt an unterrihed
Democrat and a warm supporter OF Col. benton -
He at once interrupted Judge Birch In his ha-
rangue, aus informed him that unless he with
drew unconditiOnay the sspersion he had cast
upon the friends of Col. Benton, he, Rouu, would
be under the necessity of twisting the PROPOSES oi
the Judge. Birch, not anticipating warlke de
Inonsuation OF this kind, gave Mr.. ROutt 10 under
stand that he was not included IN the remarks Of
the speaker This, however. was not satisfactory
to the "unterrtted' MIR. Routt, and he demanded
Of Judge Birch that this disclaimer should extend
to every Democrat in Clay County. Again the
vAtpdirous Judge hemmed and hawed, and not
rehshng the savage looks OF his "UaterrThed
brother Democrat, considered discretion the better
part OF valor. and withdrew altogether the charge
Of Abolitionism from the Clay County Loco Focos
Content with the victory thus easily achved, Routt
aud the res; OF Col. Benton friend withdrew from
the Court House leaving the Slavery propsgaDd
lists alone In their glory The backing out Of Birch
and the underhanded measures reSorted e. by his
friends to sthe free discussion, and prevent al IN
BIASED expression of public opinion on the part
OF the people of Missouri. relative 10 the stand
taken 10y her long-tred Senator in Congress has
gwen 10 Col. Benton increased and decided ad-
vantage. He writes his friends this city IN at
they In turn express the most uubouuded conf
dence IN his reeecuon to the Senate OF the nlted
States by scclsmstion-
Oithe tone OF public opinion IN Missouri have
no doubt. IL the Press would speak out against
the extension Of Slavery with the decision and
iesrlessness that Col Benton has during his late
tour through Missouri not only would our Senators
and Representatives be found IN an unbroken front
opposing the extension OF Slavery, but i've years
At iurthest would see this State engaged in asys
tenn OF gradual Emancipation Of Slavery within
her own borders. Upon TINS virtually important
subject, the people far In advance OF the press
and the want Of moral cOOrsge and hrmness IN the
later indicate everything bat that independence,
without which its influence psralS zgt. II not de-
stToyed Bat upon this subject may write you
aeain Ny chief object In trespSssins upon your
notice at this time, was 70 give you somewhat OF a
detailed sosunt Of what had trans pred at Liberty
between Col Benton and his opponents.
NO-SLAyIRY Man.
WILLIAMS CoLLEcE.-Tne annual Commence
~ A.