Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-11-28
THE BEAR FIGHT IN MISSOURI.

The Democratic Banner furnishes the fol-
lowing sketch Of scene at a meeting at
Bowling Greene, few days since;
At the conclusion of his speech. Mr..
Robert Allison, very respectable citizen
OF this county. and personal acquaintance
OF Colonel Benton. offered him written
question in the following words, to-wit
SENATOR BESToN.-Owing to the diff
terence OF opinion among the citizens Of
this vicinity, with regard to your position
on the question Of the Wilmot Proviso.
we respectfully submit for your conside-
ration the following question. to which we
hope you may be pleased to give US an
explicit and direct answer, and that will
settle the matter with us:
''Are YOU in favor of or opposed to the
principles of the Wilmot Proviso. as ap-
piled to the territories Of the United
Statesl'
This question had been previously
drawn up and signed by some of the old
est and most prominent citizens of the
county: but instead of giving il a
spectiul consideration. he insultlngly re-
fused to receive it, and treated with scorn
and contempt him who offered il.
At the meeting in Rails county; the fol-
lowing scene took place.
As soon as he had concluded his
speech, Senator Priest rose, and calling
him by name. said that he had "a question
to ask him Col. Benton seemed not TO
hear him, when Senator Priest repeated
a little louder. Col Benton, before you
Leave the stand have question TO sub
nit 10 YOU" Col. Benton turning with
fire in his eve. and a scowl upon his brow.
screamed at the top of voice, ''Nell. sir.
what is itP' Col. Priest then remarked
that he might not understand him, and
would like to know whether he WAS for
or against the Wilmot Proviso." Col.
Benton's fury rising still higher. he roar
ed out in a sneering tone. 1.-THE WILMoT
PRovIso! WILMoT PRovIs,! drad and rot
Ten! dcad uni rotten, yon had as reU
bring he carcass Of 3end dog from of
tie commons in Ills house! IL IS the
Jefferson Proriso, sirH Have you heard
the news! Have YOU heard from Caliior-
MIA! They are all for the JcGerson Pro-
rison'
But. says Col. Priest, it matters not
what the people of California are for; we
want to know whether you are for the
Wimot Proviso.
Benton The TII7mot Proriso a.
gam, tell you. sir. that it is the JcGer-
SON ProriSo-none but nullifer would
call il the JTilmot Proriso"'
voice from the crowd. calls out, Will
mot Proviso.
Benton. with scowl upon his face.
looks round the room and says. stand out
here. sir. where we all can see YOU good.
The man deliberately steps out on to a
bench. and repeats in full voice, Will
mot Provlso.
Benton, sncering and SOOTHING. repeats
Grave fellow! YOU are brave fellow!
Then turning to Col. Priest he roared
out, Il have been asked that question
with six barrel revolver pointed at me,
and did not answer it, nor sh all | answer
YOU. sir!''
Touching this same six barreled revolv-
er, Dir. Lowry. of Favette. in publica-
ton under his own name, denies that he
carried any such naughty weapon at the
Benton meeting in Fayettc. He had, it
is true, a single barrel pistol. designed to
be used against any person who might at
tack him. but the story of his having a six
barreled shooter is condemned as lie"
What DO that portion Of the State Free
Soil party. who "Dickered" themselves
Ditto the Iocofocalty. think of Col. Ben
tons support Of the Wilmot Proviso. In
none Of his speeches addresses which
have been published. has he declared
himself to be favorable to the Wilmot Pro-
viso.
Locofoco Opinion Of Foreigr~rs.-Th
''lllinois Advocate" an ultra Locofoco
paper published at Shawneetown. on
hearing of the election of Gen. Shields to
the L. S. Senate. put his paper in mourn
ing. and gave vent to his grief as follows:
We MOURN FOR THE DISGRACE OF OUR
learn that Shields has been
elected Senator. We have not now time
to express our indignation-but only re-
mark, that the action of the Legislature
on the subject, is enough to drive all
and truthful men from political
life.
When such men as McClelland and
Breese are beaten by an arrogant. vain,
ignorant. and lying 1rishman. it is high
time that all men. who respect their char
acters. should retire in disgust from the
political arena.
GYM flanagan. the Minister to
Prussia, il is said by the correspondent of
the Journal OF Commerce, has never en-
teTeO the OOTueTS OF PRUSSIA. nor written
one time TO the Department since he went
abroad This is shameful. Our whole
system Of foreign missions needs revis- /
ion sadly. The Government is needless
ly represented at Frankfort by Mr.. Donel.
son. where there is no Government to
represent, and never has been. and with
out any representation in Russia. We /
have there indeed neither Minister. nor
charge. nor Secretary. nor Consul. but
the archives of legation are in the hands
of foreigner. vice Consul In Berlin
all the correspondence relating to that
mission. is conducted by Mr. Fay. Al,
Rio we have no minister Indiana Jour- |,
nal.
~ Senator Duglass has been making
a speech to his constituents in the Illinois I
State Capital. endeavoring 70 define his
position on the slavery question. He adj
heres to the CLAYTON compromise bill. or