The North-Carolina standard., 1849-07-25
GEN. FOOTE'S LETTER.

WASHINGTON, JUNE %, 1949.
Hon. Henry A. W1se, .4ccomac county, Pa: # .,-
Ny DEAR Sir: wish could say that I feel none of
that soictude expressed in your letter to our mutual
friend Dr. G*#*, which has been just shown to me)
in regard to the existing condition of public con-
erns and the consequences likely to arise from
ain movements of one ofour leading politicians
IN which you have invited my attention. Never in
nv life, assare you, have felt more sorely oppressed
with doubt and dependency, or considered the Union
itself in more danger, than do at this moment. Last
year it seemed to be admitted by all discerning men
that political sky not little gloomy and
menacing; but now the very blackness and darkness
appears to have spread like funeral pail over the
whole frmanent. Had we been able to effect last
winter fair and aternal compromise of the ques-
on of slavery in the territories, at one time was
Confidently expected there would have been but lit
lie the vista of the future to Sadden the heart or
alarm the fears of the patriot, but the Vaccinations
of wicked and preverse men have trunphed over the
Straightforward honesty and manly energy OF others
and 10 ! hope has been transformed into dismay, and
confusion has taken the place of order just, too
the season of danger and difficulty seemed drawing
10 close! For one, | shallr ever look upon the
defeat of the Walker amendment of last session
the most unfortunate event of our history; and l
shall be indeed greatly disappointed if those who
have been heard fercey to exult over the success
of their wicked dexery, not ated hereafter to la
ment the of their efforts in sackcloth and
ashes.
confess myself wholly unable to divine how any
man, wishing we'll to the administration of General
TAYLOR and really desrous that the ship of State,
while under his guidance, should be favored with
calm weather and tranquil seas, could wish notwlth-
sanding, to keep this alarming territorial question
open for future agitation and excitement; do
find it whit less difficult to understand how lead
ing Democratic Senator from of the slave States
Of the conederacy, could reconcile it to his of
duty to his constituents, deliberately to unite, at
moment CRITICAL with the worst and bitterest foes
domestic southern Institutions, in preventing
the settlement of question full of perplexity and
peril, TO the South only but to the Union also.
And vet here is the in the Senate, the first day
Of March last upon the proposed arnendmentof of Mr.
Walker after 1t had been agreed to IN committee OF
tie whole, and reported for final action.
AFFIRMATIVE VOTE. Messrs. Atchison, Bell, Ber-
ien, Butler, Calhoun, Davis of Mississippi, Dickin-
son. Dodge of Iowa. Downs, Fitzpatrick, Foote, Hun
ter, Johnson of Maryland, Johnson of Georgia. King
Mangum, Mason, Pearce, Rusk, Sturgeon, Turney,
Underwood, Walker, Wescott, and Tulee.
NEGATIVE VOTE. Messrs. Allen, Atherton, Bald
win, Benton Corwin, Davis of Massachusetts, Dix.
Fech, Greene, Hamlin, Miller, Niles, Phelps, SprH-
ance. Upham, and Wales. .-., .... ...-
That after making up his mind to join in defeating
the only plan of compromise which seemed practica-
bic, Mr.. Benton should follow up his treachery to the
South and the Union with further movements in the
sane direction was to be expected from the man and
his position; but that even he should have presumed
to turn, without provocatlon, upon those who had
been struggling ardently for two sessions to save the
Union from destruction, and the South from degraS
dation and ruin, and accuse them of being traitors
and dsunonists, surely not to be anticipated. And
Yet this is precisely what has occurred and, though
the intelligent freemen of Missouri appear to take
view of his conduct still the fact cannot be
concealed, that his detection has already impaired
much confidence our enemies in the North; whilst
friends in that quarter OF the Union have been
poportionately discouraged and parayzed. 1t now
appears manifest that the Wimot Proviso will pasS
both houses of Congress; and if he who saved his
country's honor upon the field of Buena Vista shall
be found unwilling to rescue 1t again IN the dread
hour which is fast approaching, God only knows what
horrid scenes are to witness. Of one consola-
dOn though, the generous of the South can new
er be defrauded instance has yet been recorded
the page of authentic histoy, in which the faith
less soldier, who abandoned his colors and stole
over to his enemy amidst the heat and confusion of
ding to his hopes by those to whose triumph he had
thus become auxiliary.
On reading the speech which Mr.: Benton deiv-
cred at Jefferson city few weeks since, copy OF
which was sent to you day or two ago from this
place, you will not fail be struck with the fact that
whilst he has taken it upon himself, at the safe dis
lance of thousand miles SO from the objects OF
his assailment, to all whose signatures were
affixed to the Address of the Southern Delegates in
Congress their Constituents, of having been found
aiding and abetting In rank dlsunIon plot, he has
done you and your patriotic county of Accomac the
honor of arrayng you in the very front rank OF treas
On and rebellion.
cannot doubt that you will agree with me in
sdering this last harangue of Mr.. Benton as one OF
the most remarkable productions of this remarkable
age 1t would appear to have met with unusual ia
Tor In certain vicinages, and to have called forth
usty commendation from two editors, who
have not been heretofore cassed as his admirers In
Decd he is said to have been actually nominated for
the Presidency itself in several rather obscure Abo-
ltlon neighborhoods. And yet for the life of me,
can see nothing either in the speech or speaker
which should provoke such admiration 1t isevdently
long meditated laborousIy prepared, and diigent-
memorized discourse, upon certain national topics
most surprising interest and yet dol feel that
ean observe of itjusty, and without the smallest ex-
ggeraon, that its feble and confused reasonings, Its
A"dry grandiloquence in some places, its coarse
scurrility in others-its awkward and elownish at
enpts, at sort of Cieerone facetitousness-its un-
aannerly dogmatism-its nauseating egotism--and
mat Internal spirit of thalignity which it breathes
@toughout, and which would have been far better
suited to animate the outcries of some goblin damn
0'" devil broke loose from hell, than to give
grace and dignity to aught of human mould and tenn
perment-would be sufficient to extinguish the glory
ana blast the fame of the distinguished orators
either ancient or modern have afforded. / will
not weary you by dwelling further upona theme which
u0uld not but prove unsaVory. You have heard this
man of head and intellect" attempt to grapple with
great questions of State, when he evidently seemed
suppose that fit of genuine rhetorical inspiration
F'u come upon him and you will have no difficulty