The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-06-09
Col. Benton on tile Slavery Questions

The Legislature Of Missouri at its re.
cent session, passed resolutions strongly
condemnatory Of the efforts made IN
Congress to exclude Slavery from the
new territories. They also pledge the
people of that State TO a heurty coop.
Grafton with their southern brethren in
whatever measure may be necessary to
resist "northern aggression" and q vir.
tual condemnation Of the Missouri mem
bers Of Congress for refusing TO. Join id
the Calhoun convention of the last ses-
sion. Col. Benton is unwilling 10 conf
slider these resolutions as fair expires.
sion of the feelings of his constituents,
and has taken nappeal to The people
themselves. The St. Louis Union pub:
fishes the following: ,ar ,aeiat,.s'l 81
To the People Of Missouri. .aese
The General. Assembly OF our Stale;
at its late session, adopted certain reso.
lutions on the subject of slavery, and
gave me instructions to obey them.
From this command | appeal to the ped.
Pile; and If they confirm the instructions,
| shall give them an opportunity to find
a Senator TO carry their will into effect,
as cannot do anything TO dissove this
Union, or to array oEe half of 1t against
the other. Q. ~ ~ VS. sr4t
! do not admit dissolution of The
Union to be u remedy, to be prescribed
by statesmen, for the disease Of the body
polite, any more than | admit death, or
suicide TO be remedy, to be prescribi
ed by physicians for the diseases Of the
natural body. Cure, and not kill, is the
only remedy which my mind can coli
in either case.
think it probable, from what OBJ.
serve that there are many citizens
good friends to the harmony and stabill.
~ OF this Union-who do not see. the
instructions and their proto.
type, the Calhoun address, in the same
light that see it, and in the light in
which it is seen by others, who best un.
lerstand il. For the information of /
'uch citizens, and to lei them see The
lext step 10 ihis.movernent, and wbrre
| is intended TO end, herewith sdhjolh
copy Of the Accomac rcsolutDns. late.
y adopted in that county Of Virginia,
nd fully endorsed by the Richmond
as the voice Of tb1 South. !
10 not produce these resolutions for the
purpose ofarraigning him, on the con,
rary, see something in them TO ad:
nire, as being bold and open, show wing
he true interpretatipn and legitimate
equence Of the Calhiun movement. /
consider the Calhoun address, and lis
fspring, the Missouri instructions, as
fundamentally wrong, but 10 those who
hink them right, lbe Accomac res,aa
ions are also rishN, and should be i'm
nedia,ely initiated by similar resolu:
ions in Missouri. lproduce them TO q
nable the people Of Missouri TO see
What it is to which their Legislature
you'd commit the State, and wbatnIs
hey "rve instructed me to 90. va~
! aPPeenIIrom these instructions TO
he people OF iH;ssouri-- The whole body
# the people--ana> in due time will
i've my reasons for 50 doing. 1t isa
uesllon above party; ana goes 10 the
whole people. In that poin. OF view
he Accomac resolutions present it--
nd present It fully--and ! shall do the
anne. shall abide the decision Of the
whole people, and nothing else.
. Respectfully, 65,
THOMAS H. BENTON.
<, o,,;, M, n 1oAo q" ft.i