The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-07

hundred and fifty, of which upwards Of six hun
bred were from cholera Our population has been
reduced from seventy to about fifty thousand, by
families and individuals going to the country and
the East which will give you some idea of the
aggravated and fatal character Of the epidemic that
is raging among u.s. ! question whether the his
tory of the ravages of the cholera in the United
States exhibits, in any instance, great mortality
as that which has been visited upon st. Louis.
During the last twenty-four hours there has been
no decrease in the number Of deaths, and every
family that is able has either gone or contemplates
going, unless there is speedy change for the bet
ter in the health of the city. Many of our most
estimabe citizens of both daily fall victims
the destroyer, and think there is full proportion
of the mortality from among the better and more
prudent classes in society.
Notwithstanding this dread of the human family
is spreading itself throughout the borders of the
States of both Missouri and Illinois, cannot dis
cover that it lessons the acrimony, % checks the
excitement, that the war of the Roses has created
in the ranks Of our political opponents. Col. Ben
ton has eectually carried the war into the enemy's
camp, having made speeches at the pey doors of
Jackson, who stands godfather for the Calhoun re-
lature, and of Mr.. Atchison, his colleague, who
comedies in opinion with those favoring the reso-
lutons Jackson is the aspirant to the Senatorship
as the successor of Col Benton, and has personal
interest in breaking down, if possible, " Old BuI-
ion;" but thus far the vantage ground is decidedly
with Benton, who is dealing his blows upon all
sides against those Of his own political ritual who
have conspired to deprive HIM of his influence and
his position with his party. In this city measures
are steadily progressing for the early commence
ment of another Democratic organ, which is to be
under the editorial management and control of
Samuel H. Treat, esq, the late editor of the Union,
now the organ of the Benton wing of Locofocoism
in Missouri Treat has constitutional hatred of
Col. Benton, having been trained and schooled
in systematic opposition to him by Shadrach
Penn, deceased, who for many years was per-
feet thorn in the side Of the 'ather Of the Senate
The Benton men, somewhat alarmed at the pros
pect of such formidable opposition, and apprehen-
sve that the present editor and proprietor of the
Union, Mr.. r. Phillips, will be found wholly une-
quail to the task of coping with so experienced a
| tactcian as Treat opened negotiations some weeks
since with Mr.. A. R. Corbin, of your city, the
present efficient clerk of the Committee on Claims,
with a view of prevailing upon him to return to
this city and again ascend the tripod as the cham
pion of Col. Benton. Should they accomplish this,
from the personal devotion Of Corbn to Col. Ben
ton, his tact, experience and industry as an editor
and his cunning and sbrewdness as party mana
ger-he will be able to do more towards spiking
the guns and taking the battery about being put into
operation by the Calhounists under the command
of Treat than any other man whose services or in
fuence they can command The division is fairly
and irreparably made; and Benton, having set his
foot upon the ploughshare, is determined to pass
the ordeal. His influence is not only felt in Mis-
souri,, but has extended itself to both Illinois and
Iowa with alarming rapidity, so far as the peace
and harmony of progressive Democracy are con-
| cerned. Judge Kings letter approving of Colonel
Benton's course has added greatly to his strength
as gives him the entire executive influence of the
State, which is not little, can assure you.
SPARTACUS.