New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-18
SPEECH OF HON. THOMAS H. BENTON

Al St LOUIS, on Saturday night crowds assem-,
bled TO hear Hon. Thomas Ii. Bensoos great
speech. Hundreds We're unable 10 obtain admis
sion into the Hall.
Mr. Benton commenced by saying he left Mis-.
souri under pledge 10 renew in the Senate the
discussion OF the modification Of the resolutions OF
the last General Assembly, Ho never redeemed
that pledge for this reason; II found MIR Calhoun
sinking into the grave he had no heart to raise
controversy with dying man and after bis death
he would not attack him He suffered the time to
pass without opening the discussion, and thus
there was no occasion for it. The object he had in
view was accomplished II a manner more agreea-
bic TO him
lie stated that the object OF openipc the discus
+ SION IN Missouri, was to awaken the people OF the
nlted states TO scheme having in view the
dissolution OF the Union. In the Senate, the la
Dor at carrying on the discussion was taken Off
bis hands by the Disunonists themselves, who
ayoWed their intention on the floor OF Congress-
His incredulity in the disunion scheme then van
ished. He knew the people would take care of
themselves. He saw Taylor and Clay standing
upon the platform of Common Sense, Reason and
Justice, VIZ. that every measure should rest upon
its own merit Gen. Taylor kept on the track I'M
til he died. Henry Clay boted-an operation
easy to hin-or he had served IA apprenticeship
at the business, but managing which, he had all
the bills bungled together
Mr.. Benton then alluded to the struggle and
final separation Of the bills, and theiT passage
separately. The long session of Congress was
entirely oCcasioned by Mr. Claws changing
ground on the vital point OF separate OF congom-
crate consideration OF the different measures.
He then reviewed the proceedings OF Congress
on the slavery question, and aledged that the
expenditure of public money consequent upon
this protracted discussion was 30 be attributed to
the Omnibus bill. The session opened violently
for dsunion. The speeches made asserted that
not the Omnibus, but the breaking Down OF that
vehicle, caused this change
Many Southern Members, under che influence
OF dlsunlonists, were deuded into the belief that
the North had determined to abolish Slavery. The
daily speeches, the votes, and their intercourse
with Northern men cured that delusioa and quieted
the Southern members-and all good citizens
would likewise be quoted, il they could 90 to
Congress and there meet the Northern members
face to face. The exposition OF the Mexican awx
showed the Northern men that the Proviso was
unnecessary, and they therefore abandoned it.
After reviewing the Omnibus bill, he gave his
reason for voting for and against the measure
when separately presented. He then alluded to
the action OF the most prominent members. He
gave the Southern Senators entire credit for saw
ing California They wanted her divlded-waAt-
ed her defeated but would not sell their votes to
the omnibus for the purpose. 1t they had so voted
California would have been sacriiced-tor that
would have followed We were saved by the
Ligh honor OF the Southern Senators, and to them
let the honor be ascribed not to him who would
have bought their votes and sold the State. A
large portion of this part of the speech is devoted
to Mr.. Clay.
Mr.. Benton then alluded to the meeting held in
St Louis to celebrate the passage of the peace
measures which not only bestowed praise bat
censure He did not aude to hmselEthat came,
of course, from the composition of Wings and null
ifers-but they censured Gen. Taylor, by impli-
cation, in resolutions which applauded Mr.. Fill
more and his Cabinet for giving influence to the
support of the Omnibus bill.
He felt it his duty to detendGeneral Taylor. He
had been just and kind to him, and by his appoint
ing Colonel Fremont, he much said that he
disapproved OF the proceedings CT that Court Mar
tia He also did General Taylor justice on an
other point He believed General Taylor was
sincere in his declaration that he would not re-
move any one from Office for opinions sake, and
whenever case was brought fairly before him,
he acted up to that noble declaration. Such re-
moyals doubtlessly We're made-but President
must act upon information, and is liable to be mis-
led. He cited as proof the case OF DR.. Heap, Con-
sul at Turin, and reasserted that General Taylor
refused to remove him on political grounds, and
did what all American Presidents ought to do.
He then alluded to his absence from the Senate
on the passage of the Fugitive Slave bill, and gave
his reasons for not voting. He believed the bill
injudicious but was willing to let his friends try
it. He voted with them, to make it suitable to
them There Constitutional objection,
and he did not wish any drawbacks from his opin-
ions OF it, and such would have been the case, but
for the silly attacks made upon him for missing
ore vote, by those who were Indifferent to 9TH
ers who missed nearly every vote.
Col Benton then reviewed the rise and pro-
gress of notification in Missouri, commencing as
far back as 1892 under heads Of plots one, two
and three-the latter is the present. and the most
bold and dangerous of the three. Its object is the
separation of the North from the Sonth, under
pretext of Northern ggression-himself the OBJ
lect Of attack
He appealed to the people, and that appeal de-
cided the August election against the Nu!litiers,
of whom, although they nominaly counted thirty
odd in the assembly, there is bnt little more than
one third of that number who are in favor OF null-
hcaton and secession remedies tor political
evils The rest are Union Democrats, who arc
now deceived, and will come right Of themselves.
OF the thirty odd nOminay elected as anti Ben
ton men, not elected by anti-Ben-
ton democratic strength. He made this declara-
ton without fear of contradiction
He examined the case at Jefferson City, and IN
every case where an anti enton man was elect,
ed it was done by a combination OF Wing and
anti b enton votes, under the pledge to go with
the majority of the Democracy. Further there
was not a County in the State where an anti
Benton nan can now be elected on tne anLl-Deh-
ton Democratic ticket.
HI stated that his six months speaking IN
Missouri stirred up the people for the Dnion and
prevented separation OF States 1t also pre-
vented Missouri from sendlng delegates to tue
Nashville Convention
He dwet severely on the anti Benton party.
He characterized their course as mean, diabollcai
and Naturalization Wings nor Democrats
should affiliate with them. There were twelve
in the last Assembly, and about the number
in this. Most OF the others are in banks, or on
benche, and in notifications. There are fe"
besides, and between them and me there are now,
and forever, high walls and deep ditches No
fellowship or communion or COMPROMISE, was
the watchword of the antBentons
Now they will compromise upon any man bat
Benton-that is, having failed to destroy him they
will buy him-giye official the offices in Mis-
souri, as purchase money. The Devil was com 1i
nrnmiser when he offered to compr0mlse WIN. I