The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-28

lation from the fact that he said hard things
also about some of Mr.. RIToHIE's antagonists.
Colonel BENTON, in letter TO JOHN SMITH,
quoted General JACKSON against Mr. RITcHIE,
and now Mr.. RircHE turns the tables upon
him, by publishing letter from JOHN F. HESS,
from which we make the following extract, set
ting forth some curious opinions Of the old hero
on the subject of Colonel BENToN's head;
"Now, my dear sir, Colonel Benton is the last
man who should charge you with breaking up the
Democratic party, or publish TO the world any
thing General jackson ever said about YOU IL ID
notorious that Mr. Benton's course and speeches in
| 1914 did much To defeat the election OF MIR POLK
and distract the Democratic organization lie
celebrated speech on the Texas question was pub
lished by the Wings of tennessee by tens oi thou
| sands and circulated in every direction IL was
one of their te xt books through the whole canvass
and that speech lost the State of Tennessee 10 the
Democracy What did General jackson think of
Mr. Benton's course at the timer He denounced IT,
but excused him on the ground of insanity. heard
the Old Hero say, that Benton had not been sane
since the explosion of the Peacemaker on board
of the Princeton l shall never forget how he ex-
planned the effect Of that explosion MIR. Benton's
head He entered into the subject minutely and
scientifically, and appeared TO be perfectly ac-
quainted with Mr.. Benton's whole mental organi-
zation."
What pity il is that Mr. HESS cannot give
us all the details Of this important scientific ex-
panation
We come at last to the document relating to
Mr.. RITcHIE's management of the official organ.
1t was prepared to be read when MIR. YuLEE's
resolution of expulsion was before the Senate,
but, for some reason, was not read, and is now,
for the first time, given to the world. After a
description of the extraordinary interview
at the White House, which was terminated by
Mr. PoLH's remark about the Jef1ersonlan
doctrines, we are furnished with an account
OF another remarkable interview, as follows:
~ have always maintained my independence of
the Executive power; and the President knows that
l would neither sacrifice my principles nor OBJ
struct the course OF his administration. For in
stance, IN September 1916 me day after the de-
| tenders of Baltimore had come to Washington to
pay their respects To the President, and on the
! morning that we heard the death of Judge Story
| asked an interview with MIR. Polk, for the pur-
pose of converting upon subject which had deeply
interested me. In repairing TO the White House
met in the ante. chamber, with the Senator from
Florida, MIR. Yulee. We got into conversation
upon the tariff; and from him passed into The
Presidents room. knew the President was about
to prepare his annual message, and wished 10 see
whether still agreed in opinion. | told him
that would not stand in his way; that ! aid not
wish to clog his administration and that, ii could
not carry out his principles as well as my own,
wished to retire, and leave the field to some other
-, - Tho
subject of the tariff. His manner was then, it
has always been, cordial, kind confding. He re-
peated that our principles the same, and that
he had never thought Of change in the editorship
of the Union. In the mean time, the Secretary of
War came in with papers told the President
that would leave him t. his official duties, and
rising at the same time, drew myself up to the
utmost height of my stature, and, lifting up my
right foot at the same time, said to hremphati-
cslly: Am j, then, to understand. sir, that with
your concurrence am to be upon this subject fiat
footed?'- striking the floor at the moment with a
noise which resounded throughout the room. He
nodded assent and left him. and on my return
communicated this fact substantially 10 the Sena-
tor from Florida, who appeared much gratifed by
the information. He cannot have forgotten it,"
What picturesque scene this extract brings
before us Mr.. Richie drawing himself up to
the utmost height of his stature, lifting up his
right foot, bringing it down again, the noise
resounding through the room, the expressive
interrogatory, 'Am | to be on this subject fiat
footed?" the nod Of assent! What an effect
this would have produced had it been read
aloud in the Senate with due emphasis and
discretion :" We will not mar its effect upon
the reader by making any further selections at
present