New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-16
A Personal Impression Of a4 MI.-ouriau.
~ LUcIus MARKHAM.

me hi"ourian is genius after his Own kind"
an originals character His individuality Is
distinct from other men, as the massive pillar Of
temple Is distinct from the building, and in all his
actions he gives bis peculiar peoularities an IN.
mis;akable relief.
No matter hoE widely we NAV differ from such
man In opinion, we can admire him for himself
RS refreshing to contemplate character with, in
popular parlance, new points -Ehat tragedy
ieAo" would term novel poses-slartling ats
tudes
Many names acquire prominence which secures
them second on the roll Of fame b. eccenticity
we see IN the aIsemblage Of the famous, the
grave the gay, the lively and severe" each in
himself according TO Gen. Price, nationality"
and what is the Father Of Col. Fremont" bat
" nationality Il was once said, when NJ Cal
houh 'sSes snuh al South Carolina sneezes" May
II not De said, when the mint droo hero" has A
cold al Missouri coughs. Since the decease of his
great opponent whom Magoon calls the Meta.
PHYSICIAN, no man in our country is so completely
the emoOdlement OF " commonwealth" asThOmAs
H. behWn. see him In the Senate; watch him on
the siump-vtness bis influence at a ST. Louis
election-it is always Benton and in Sam Slick
PHYSIOLOGY, nothin' else"
DIS lie Is like a drama in which there are great
characters to be personsted according to his con.
ceptlon. His duty TO these Characters is an ever
present conviction, and like the actor OF intense
feeling, who becomes so absorbed in his character
that between the acts Of the play he is always
Richard" Othello' or Hamlet the Missourian
is never anything but Benton, whether he be max
ing aggressive speech in the Senate, throwing re-
torts at Clay-complaining OF Foote before grand
frrx-IafapdiuQ Col EFamOnt gDn-inLaX a
a court notwithstanding South Carolina So
ptistry on the stump-Or enacting the gentleman
Of the olden school in private parOr
On warm afternoon in the Spring Of lsi7, Twas
drinking from that fOunt Of general Intelligence
newspaper, at the Reading Room Of the Broad
way Hotel, Cincinnati, when, step or two 10 front
OF me observed man, whom Immediately took
to be somebody in his own estimation, at least
His dress betokened scrupulous neG'ness, and his
manner was that Of gentleman OF good society,"
but bis bearing and look were such as we might
expect Of a Lieutenant Colonel, who had extreme
pride in a commission Of ancient dste-of the old
regime" and who felt himself the arbiter of the
destinies Of great and growing State. did not
know the mans name, title or degree, but felt
that though he might not be
"Some Cromwell, guillless Of bis eountrys blood"
he possessed in an eminent degree the power
IN applause OF lisIning Seusie'' to command"
While | was INDUCING these reflections, a ser.
want was washing the windows OF the Hotel. Pre-
septly dash came a bowl OF water against the
panes back of me, crash went the glass, and splash
ie the LIQUID over the smooth hat carefully brush.
ed coat and snow-white vest of him whom had
been considering. Up flew those
Hands that the rod Of Empire NIGH! have swayed,'
and then the Magesterial' arose from his sea. as
cautiously as if pearls had been thrown upon him,
which he should lose were they TO fall upon the
floor and there he stood with the glistening drops
trucking down his face and shining on his jet back
coat as immoveabe as the foundations OF 81. Pa0ls
Cathedral at London, until the offending servant
had obtained a napkin aat come TO his rescue
The grave and reverend seigniOr' turned himself
slowly. with a mien as dgnitied as If he had been
in deep thought buried, before the Senate until the
sparkling water bad been brushed from his person;
the while needing not in the slightest degree the
thousand and one Obsequious apologies OF the
careless window washer The Hotel Proprietor
having learned the catastrophe rushed into the
august presence with q severe maedlctlon upon
the needless servant when a decided A" No matter,
ar r rheckrd his wrath az cHSctnally ~ he heA
been suddeny struck dsmb, while The MlssOurian
Ated hims eff and buried his eyes IN a news
paper as composedly as If he had never been dis
turbed.
There were great traits Of a great character re-
vealed in that slight event. have watched the
mans movements since and | have never seen
ANYTHING out Of character in Thomas II Benton,
with the imperturbable gravity in whichhe took the
by droFatby compliment.