The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1850-05-17
uJudge Walker, of the N. o. Delta, be-


UJudge Walker, of the N. o. Delta, be-
coming tired as it appears, of professed neu-
trality, has determined upon making St Louis
the scene of his future editorial labors. We
copy below, his letter to Col. Benton, inform
ing him of the fact, and also the characteristic
reply of the latter thereto, as published by him
in the St Louis Union 1t will be seen that
the dictatorial Senator will listen to no COM
promise with the disaffected wing of his party
in Missouri, but coolly tosses overheard those
who will not blindly follow and obey him in
all things.
New ORLEANS, March 16, 1850,
Delta Office.
Hon. r. IT. Benton
DEAR SIR: Though personally unknown to
you, do not deem myself sufficiently stran-
ger to consider it necessary to apologize for
addressing you thus. As member OF the
same great party for which you have so lcng,
so ably, and so effectually battled, have ever
cherished for you feeling OF great respect and
admiration. 1t Is this feeling prompts me to
address you now. The ST. Louis Republican
Of the 7th March, has statement to the effect
that new anti-Benton paper is to be started In
a few days in that city, to be "edited by Judge
Walker, of the del Delta" / am the person re-
ferred to, and consider it my duty to state to
you, what am restrained by certain consi-
derations from making public, that there is no
truth in this statement. | have been reques-
ted by many persons to take charge OF the De-
mocratic paper in ST. Louis and have c0nsen-
ted to do so, on the distinct condition that 1t
wars not to NEEDLE in q controversy, the merits
of which did not fully understand, Gan inter-
ference which on my part would be lmperti-
nent and presumptuous,) and further, that said
paper was to be conciliatory and catholic in It's
tone and sentiments. | further made it a con-
dition that the Union (being for sale) should be
bought out, and one strong, permanent Demo-
cratic paper established Until these condl-
tions are complied with, | have positively de-
clined all connection with any Democratic pa
per in St Louis, though it is field upon which
feel a great desire to embark, under tayora-
Bile auspices There are points, (not however
of very cardinal character) upon which may
differ from you, but there is nothing at present
in your course, which would justify me in with
holding that support and respect which | have
heretofore extended to the views and course
pursued by you.
am, with great respect, Your obedient ser
want; ALEX. WALkER.
; WASHINGTON Cry, March so, 1850.
To Aler. Walker ESQ
SIR: | have to acknowledge the receipt O
your letter Of the 18th instant and to thanl
you for that mark of attention, and for the sen
timents personal to myself which you express
But while do this, (and to prevent the miscon
ceptions into which my silence might lead you
if said nothing on other parts Of your letter,
) feel it due to you to say, that cannot approv
the plan of your paper, not see anything in it bu
injury to the Democratic party, and to the Union
: Your paper, so far as can judge. is to be
, revival of Shadrach PENIS old Reporter, whic
was itself the successor to all the Calhoun pa
pers which had successively sprouted up an
rol,,d down in ST. Louis, during thirty year
past. if s..ur paper is TO be one Of that fam
ly, it will share tic fate of ito antcccssors, an
q rot down also.
t The contest now going on in Missouri, an
! in which YOU say you cannot interfere, is COZ
test which concerns the life of this Union, an
: which has been going on for twenty years
: some parts Of the United States and which Ii
J now ripened into an open proposition for COZ
venton at Nashville, evidently to organize Il
secession of the Southern States. This is Il
!" contest now going on in Missouri, and white
! has been brought into our State by the legisl
tive adoption Cat the last SESSION. Of the aisu
: ion resolutions Of Mr. Calhoun, Of Feb. 10, lS4
n and which are the parent of the Nashville Co
I vention.
:, The time has gone BY orholy day profession
n in favor of the Union. The time has come fl
works; and the paper which does not wol
against the disunonists is for them. Thus f
: the infamv of the disunion movements res
I principally upon the Democratic papers, fro
L the conduct of some which have been leaders
r the party-(the Washington City Union ar
e the Richmond Enquirer for example)-and
E, have no communion with such papers.
+ The condition of the country requires ne
tests for the democratic party, and these tes
have been adopted in Missouri. Repudiatic
4 of the dsunion resolutions, of the last Gener
Assembly-repudiato Of the Nashville Co
vention-repudiation of secession, nullificatiC
and dsunon, as remedies for political evils
e submission to the laws of the land, until r
J. peaed by the people. or invalidated by the j
al dietary. These are the tests which the tim
require, and have no communion with any OF
4 who cannot adopt them and work up to ther
= The civility ofyour letter, and the desire n
to leave you in error by my silence, has draw
) from me this candid reply 1t is the first tin
that have ever written Il letter to any edltt
4 on the course Of his paper, nor is this intend
to alter the course of yours. Intact, goa cou
l. not no,c change your plan acith profit, or hon
to yourself, but 1t Is due TO you TO k7aotc that
personal good lciU 10 me, eres TO the erter you
innate, can hare any effect upon mg feelings,
\ relation to your paper. The Union is menace
Ia and its preservation is the overriding consid'
alton with me, before which every thing p'
III sonal sinks into insigni6cance, and disappea
I'll from my view. Respectfully, sir,
Your obedient servant,
80 THOMAS H. BENTON.
From the Richmond (Fa) Republican.
nd General Taylor and the Great Que
ti0ns of the day.