Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1849-05-17
Speech Of Senator Benton.

L
ing of the citizens of Pittsburgh, wa.
recently held, to promote the construc.
ton of the Ohio and Pennsylvania
Railroad, and to urge the subscription
of stock on the part of the cities Of
Pittsburgh and Allegheny. Enthusias.
tic resolutions were passed-speeches
ofa practical a. well as a more bril-.
liant character, were made--and the
effect is seen in heavy subscriptions to
the read.
At this meeting Colonel Benton who
happened to be passing through the city
was present by invitation. His speech
is reported in the Pittsburgh Mercury,
and though evidently imperfect, is never.
theless worthy Of earnest attention.
We copy it from the Mercury:
Mr.. Benton being called upon, spoke
as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and FeIlo w. Citizens:
l have not arrived at that age Of life
in which I nigh, say was too feeble
10 speak. nor can l plead the excuse Of
being too tired tonight to address you.
| arrived here this evening, and am
passing on in the morning; and have
had the honor-to me an unexpected
one-of being waited upon and invited
TO attend this meeting. lift had been a
political meeting. should have made
my customary excuse, and that is, that
l never speak upon political subjects
outside of my own bailiwick; (hear. hear
and applause) but as the Office, of this
meeting is one larger then politics
as it is an object characteristic of the
age in which we live--as it is an objec,
Unitarian in the highest degree. came
to this mee,ing--if for no other purpose
"a, least for the purpose of showing
thai l was in favor Of all such great.
such magnificent improvements, as that,
the accomplishment Of which you have
met TO consider to.nigh. applause. -
The President Of the company has we'll
observed, that, as q local question, ]
could no, be expected 10 enter into de-
tails; and it is question with myself
whether shall be able to say anything
on the immediate subjec, Of the meeting
but he also touched n point which
touched me, inasmuch as one end of this
road points TO ST. Louis; and ST. Louis
is on the high road in a straight line to
the Pacific ocean and to Canton, zap.
plause.) My name has been connected
las well it might--for while | should
consider oil discussion as to who wns
the first 10 propose a rail road 10 the
Pacific ocean, as being on an equality
with the question as to who would be
the first man to ride on horseback 10.
stead Of going afooD yet thirty years
ago, taking upthe great ideas of men
and the progression Of things Chat
same progression which brought Co.
lumbus to the shores-,hirty years
ago, no, only said, but wrote it--thir.
ty years ago, l not only said and wrote
il, bu, gave il to those who constitute
the monuments which never die (he
printing press, and by the printing press
i, was then written DOWN. thirty years
ago said and wrote that, sooner or
later a great national high road would
be made from the Missouri TO the Pa.
cific ocean--ihat road would be made
either Immediately, by the help of the
Federal Government, or eventually, and
withou, tina, help by the force eff cir
cumstances and the progress of events.
Thirty years ago wrote down, and
was as confident Of i, then as am al
this day. Great applause.) Every
road then, which points towards ST.
Louis connects itself with this gigan.
tic idea Of the age in which we live
the highway Of nations Of Africa. oil
Asia, of Europe, of generations yet un
born--a highway from ocean to ocean
under one law. under one flag, under
one language, under one government
land tina, arepublicrn government too
from ono end to the other. Great sP
plause.) Tha, great idea is now abroad
stalking over the land, and commend
itself with such force TO all imagination'
that universal appreciation has arisen
in its favor. (applause) and there car
be little doub, tina, in a shor, time w
shall witness lie completion. lReweWes