Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-07-31
Fer the Enquirer.
tlnN THOMAS Il RENT,

This is certainly The age Of wonders VINO
would have imagined, ten years ago. thot tins
distinguished man would nt this day have been
separated from the Democratic party and IN
close aud faternsl union with The oaicsl anu
meanest party that has ever dissraced our coun.
tr,1 Who would then have imagined that ne wouId
now be aspiring 10 the leadership OF The WIlmol
Provisoists and abolilioDi,ls of the Union, seek.
ing at their hands nomination as their candi-
dale for The Presidency Strange as it Is, it is
yet not more strange than true aud only SHOWS
ITO what base uses some men come al last"
The morning and noon Of his life were mark
ed BY q stern and Incorporating devotion TO
the doctrines, principles and measures oil the
Democratic party; sustaining them in prosperity
and ADVERSELY in the Senate of the United states,
aud boldly indicating them against The assaults
Of all their enemies. Then II was We found
him standing up manful!y IN behalf oil Tic rights,
interests and institutions oil Inc slsYenolJinS
States, denouncing in unmeasureu terms All at
tempts 10 interfere with the rigats oil properly
or 10 excite sectional divisions. Then II was
he maintained 10 its purity, and as taught oy
the Virginia school Of politicians, the right OF
instruction, proelaiming The authority oil the lie
gislature TO give instructions and the cores
bonding duly Of the Senators TO obey or resign
Then il was that he showed himself a Jealous,
faithful and devoted party man. justifying the
necessity of party organization as indispensable
N The success of measures calculated 10 secure
The honor, project The rights, promote The pros
nerity and uphold the liberties OF Inc nation
Then it was that The rights Of tie States were
matter, of the utmoi importance, equally as
dear to HIN and as much 10 be priced by patrols
and statesmen as the "uni9n OF tie Sta es
But since that day how sad change MSS
come over the spirit Of his dream!" he has
al, ndoned the Democratic platform, turned bis
back upon his ancient principles, deserted Inc
friends of other and better days and united him.
self with those who thcn denounced him as des-
ttute alike Of moral and political honesty and
virtue. These acts, and others that can De
named, call up train OF melancholy rehec'ioos
ia the miad ION the miserable state OF our NOR
tai beng''
Sin ife's last scene what progidiss surprise,
Fears Of he crave and foilles Of The wisei
From MariborOueh's eyes the streams oil doiage no"'
And Bcs.ca expires, u drivsIler sud sho@.'
Such is he stale ri he case, and il is melan-
chcly 10 think oil il. lis melancholy 10 ind that
man. whose morning and NOON OF political ext
icucc promised 50 fruitful harvest OF ds'inc-
lion. honor and usefulness, should, under ihe IA
Hucnce OF wild and wicked ambition, have
surrendered all, al Inc bidding OF Martin Van
Bu,en.
Col. Benlou's speeches have had The effect OF
winning frcra the Free-soilc.s AID Aoolllion;st,
The most eai,efns ommendaiions-and several
OF their papers have boldly declared lor nim lot
the Presidency, in 1852 That such was his OBJ
| ieti, 10 nan who knows hini can ooiot. nc mas
been looking 10 The Presidency Tor y'ar'. All ms
hearts affections have been liked upon this nIgh
| rrize. and his course has been SNAPPED win soie
reference 10 lis a;taiam,nt. Fnis was the cnIe
object in desiring 10 procure lar appointment OF
5.i,u,snant General, and bencs 'ae chacrIn arc
mur,dcalica wnicn followed his laiinre. dis
course on the annexation OF Ttxls, and 'be set.
Ilernen, OF The Oregon qIesIon, was influenced
a.d controlled by The same consideration. Inc
miserable Protocol lco'ery vas The ass card 10
The mack, with which This desperate political
gambler expected 10 win the pfize and, TINS Ian.
ing hun. he has, as a desperate resort, selected
The slave question and be will PRESS Ibis, even
though i, should sunder the Union, ohd involve
in ruin, The peace, happiness aao prosperity OF
the nation.
Col. Ben,on has been perfectly satisfied, since
The Democratic parry OF The uaion alscafced lne
LArA Mcr.rtaan and Free Soil 'nl!ieusr OF New
York. that h, never could command Their ccaa
dence or oba.n their support io' Inc PRESIDENCY
He and Van Buren, we're SO in''ma'eiy coansc1eo
10 feeling. sentiment aad action, and his e1efiiohs
N scene his nomination In lSaf were SO cnfr'
ee,ic and decided, following as lhey did u?or
his base betrayal OF his party on Inc le1as ques
iiop,) that he forfeited all claim 10 Inc respec
and FOOD will Of his political associates. From