Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1849-12-07
The Fight i'm Missouri.

4
The war between the Bentonites and
anti Bentonites in Missouri is raging
more fiercely than ever. Colonel Ben
tons enemies are attacking him win a
determination altogether unprecedented
The Democratic Banner (an,i-Benioh)
furnishes the following sketch of scene
at the meeting in Bowling Green, Pike
county, to hear Col. Benton's appeal:
At the conclusion of his speech, Mr..
Robert Allison, very respectable citizen
of this county, and personal acquaintance
of Colonel Benton, offered him a writ
ten question in the following words. to-
wit: ...
"SENAToR BENToN-Owing to the
difference of opinion among The citizens
of this vicinity, with regard to your po-
silion on the Wilmot Proviso, we res
pectfully submit fo- your consideration
the following question to which we hope
you may be pleased TO give US an expli-
cit and direct answer, and that will SET
tie the matter with US:
"Are you in favor Of or opposed to
the principles of the Wilmot Proviso,
as applied to the territories of the United
States!" .. ..,......... t....-r... .. -. ...s.
This question had been previously
drawn up and signed by some of the
oldest and most prominent citizens in
the county; but instead of giving it a res
pectful consideration, he insultingly re-
fused to receive it, and treated with
scorn and contempt him who offered it..
At the meeting in Rails county, the
following scene took place.
As soon as he had concluded his
speech, Senator Priest rose and calling
him BY name, said that he had ques-
ton to ask him. Col. Benton seemed
not to hear him, when Senator Priest
repeated a little louder, s.Col. Benton,
before you leave the stand have ques-
ton to submit to YOU Col. Benton
turning with fire in eye, and scowl
MON his brow screamed at the top of
his VOICE. -"Well, sir, what is it"
Col. Priest ti,cn remarked that he
might not understand n:;m, and would
like to know whether ''he was ior or a.
gainst the Wilmot Proviso." Col. bsnn
tons fury rising still higher, he roared
out in sneerlne tone, ''THE WILMoT
PRovIso! WILMoT PRovIso! dead and
rotten, dead and rotten! you had as
OsH bring The carcass Of dead dog
from oFthe commons into this house!
II is tie jefferson Proriso, SIR! Have
you heard the news! Have you heard
from California;! They are all for the
Jefferson ProUisor ami 81 a
But, said Col. Priest, it matters not
what the People of California are for;
we want to know whether you are for
the Wiliaot ProVisoi nag raj svaE
Benton. s.The Uilaaot prouiso a.
gain! | tell you, sir, that it is the Jeff
ers0n prouiso-none but a nuiHfer
would. call il the Wilaa0t proyiso"
voice from the crowd, calls out,
Wilmot Proviso. aE1 aa
Benton with scowl upon his face,
looks round the room and says, stand
out here where we can all see you good.
The man deliberately steps out on to
a bench, and repeats in full voice, Will
mot Proviso! -a .a
Benton, sneering and scoling repeats
--Jrape felin,o! you are q braue feiioac!
Then, turning to Col. Priest, he roar
ed out, Il have been asked that question
with six barrelled revolver pointed at
me, When | did not answer it, and shall
not answer you, sir!" b
Touching this same six barrelled re-
volver, DIR. Lowry. of Fayc'te, in a pub
LEGATION under his own name, denies that
he carried any such naughty weapon at
the Benton meeting in Fayette. He had,
it is true, single Darrell pistol, designed
TO be used against any person who might
attack him, but the story of his having
a six barrelled shooter is condemned as
''lie."