The North-Carolina standard., 1849-07-11
COL. BENroN,s REcREANcY.

COL. BENToN'S RECREANCY.
We learn from the Charleston papers that Mr..
Calhoun has prepared reply to Col. Benton's
recent Jefferson City Speesh, and that it may be
expected in the course of few days. With truth,
ustice and all the facts in his favor, we have no
doubt that Mr.. Calhoun has thoroughly exposed ana
answered Col. Benton. In next In order tnat
the people NAV see both sides and be able to make
ND their own judgments in the premises we shall IN
sert Col Benton's Speech, the material portions
If it-in our next the reply of Gen. Foote to Mr..
Renton-and in our next, the reply of Mr.. Calhoun
above alluded to. Will the Whig papers in this City,
which have been raising notes of exultation over
COL Benton's Speech, and laying it or extracts from
if before their readers, have the fairness to pub
Iish Gen. Foote'S and Mr.. Calhoun's replies Have
not a Slaveholding people the right to demand this
of them
The following just and sensible remarks, in rela-
lion to Col. Benton's course, we copy from Major
Noah's New York Sunday Times-a paper printed
in a non-SlarehOlding State. Speaking of Benton's
Sueech the Major says:
Zone half of this formidable missve is devoted to
the Inconsistency of Mr.. Calhoun, who approved the
Missouri compromise, which excluded slavery from a
vast portion of the west, and to show that he is
disunionist, and himself originally the founder
the approver, and the ustier of the Missouri COM
promise All the whig papers, in ecstacy of delight,
rub their hands together, and declare that Colonel
Benton has made out strong against Mr. Cal
boun. We cannot see il. Slavery has ALWAYS been
political question. 1t originated with Rufus King
10 cripple the representative power of the SOUTH and
this has always been the extent of its humanity.
The Missouri compromise not TO exclude slavery
in that State the opposition was directed against a
clause in the new constitution which prevented free
negroes and mulattoes from settling in that State
under any pretence whatever 1t was contended, and
with reason, that this exclusion violated the spirit
the constitution of the United States Missouri in
sisted upon her right State adopt this provision
When the bill again up for consideration, the
fedeaiists threw the ireband into Congress- by in
ssng upon engrafting the following section or rider
10 the bill:
SEC. 8. That in all that territory ceded by France
10 the United States, under the name of Louisiana
which lies north of So degrees 80 minutes north lat
tude, not included within the limits of the State
contemplated by this act Slaueru and Involuntary
rhsregf the party shall hare been duly conv:cted, shall
be, and hereby rs, Jorerer prOhi6ited.'
This excluded slavery from a tract of country
larger than all California, New Mexico, and Oregon
united. The storm. however, was up. The people
thought it right and proper, and insisted upon it,
Missouri should not be State. The federasts had
got the weathergage of the south. What was to be
done! Congress had no more right to insert this
section in the law than to have introduced bull of
the Pope into act of that body. Mr.. Calhoun, then
secretary of war; forced to submit this assunp-
ton of power. He feared that Missouri, if not then
admitted, would exercise the rights of sovereign
State, and gather cluster of Independent States.
disconnected with the federal government, which
would reach to the Pacific Ocean. TO preserUe Mt
rnion, Mr.. Calhoun consented to this compromise
This is the width, breadth, and depth of Mr.. Cal
houns inconsistency. But did the submission to a
wrong under those circumstances justify the infiction
Of another wrong1 Because Congress said they had
Alright to prohibit by law slavery in territories did
make it so? Does the successful assumption OF
undelegated power establish it principle! No
one denies the right of State to prohibit slavery
but territories, which belong to all the States alike
only require the elements of government under the
belong to the people when they come into the Union
Is State"
Major Noah truly adds that '' Col. Benton will
make capital from this attack Mr.. Calhoun, OF
in the declaration that Congress possesses power
because it exercised it some thirty years ago."
In our next issue may notice at length the
positions taken by Col. Benton Jefferson City, as
we'll as the unworthy means he is resorting to,
crafty his vengeance and advance himself at the
expense Of the Democratic party.