Democratic banner., 1849-09-03

The democrats, we have stated, gain two
Congressman.
- W. lay before u readers this week
the official proceedings Of a meeting Of the
Democracy of Rails, and adopt below the
comments of the Hannibal Courier, both
of which tell a significant tale alike honors-
BILE to the lion-hearted Democracy of Rails.
From the Hannibal Courier.
Meeting at New London.
We had the pleasure Of being present
and witnessing a glorious gathering of the
Democracy Of Rails county at New London
OIL Monday last. The meeting was an ad-
iourned one, of which ample notice had
been given, and was convened for the pur-
pose Of expressing an opinion upon the
course and conduct Of Col. Benton. The
assemblsge was unusually large, giving evil
Idence that the "bone and slew" Of the De-
mocracy we're present, and the proceedings
were Of a highly interesting character'-
Col. Benton's inconsistent and rebelllous
course was unqualifedly condemned, in
resolutions ofthe strongest character, which
we've passed with only one dissenting vote,
seSSsfaI others present vino were understood
as being opposed to them.
The meeting was organized BY calling
Col. WIN. Priest to the chair, who also ex-
planned the object of the meeting, and spoke
for half an hour in defence of the resolu-
|tions Of instructions so violently assaulted
by Col. Benton. His speech was charac-
|terized by strong good sense, and sound ar
gument. He spoke as one who knew and
felt what he said, and who was conscious
the Legislature, in which he had been a
prominent actor, had been u~njustly assailed,
condemned and villified.
P. Carr, Esq, of Pike, who was present
from previous invitation, was then called
upon, and addressed the meeting at length
Upon the topics involved in Col. Benton's
appeal, in a style of eloquence and feeling
we have seldom heard surpassed. His re-
marks in favor of the doctrines of i~nstruc-
ton, were strong and irresistible. His ex-
posure of our "recreant and rebellious Sem
ator," as he apsly termed Col. Benton, was
whitening in the extreme; and his appealto
the meeting to put the seal of condsmna-
ton upon Benton's attempt to destroy the
Democratic party, and chain the State Of
Missouri to the car Of Free Soilism. was
stirring and eloquent. Mr.. Carr concluded
amid the plaudits Of the meeting.
Col. B. Davies, of Marion county, was
next called up. The Colonel, as usual,
made an excellent and forcible speech
He spoke principally against the Wilmot
Proviso, explained its origin, showed its in
expediency and the injustice of its opera
ton upon the Southern States, and proved
that Col. Benton by his acts and votes in
Congress, as we'll as his recent declarations
in Missouri, was q provisoist in principle.
He also showed the Inconsistency of Col.
Benton's appeal from the instructions of the
Legislature, by relating the sensitiveness he
evinced at. the Hannibal Convention of IA,
when asked if he would obey instructions,
and his expressing himself insulted by the
mere implication of a doubt that he might
have changed his views on that subject
The Democracy of Missouri, Col. D. said,
could not sustain Benton, without abandon
ing their long cherished principles, and as
he Benton) had taught them the doctrine
of "prihciples, not men," and had now a.
.bandonsd this principle. it was but right
they should mete out the full MEASURE of the
doctrine to him.
This speech must have had a happy eff
feet, as it Immediately brought forth a de-
monstration from some Of Col. Bsnton's
NJ. L. w. Watkins moanted the