Democratic banner. (Bowling Green, Pike County, Mo.) 1845-1852, 1850-01-21
AMBITION.

We love, we revere that ambition which
prompts men to noble deeds. We have an in.
stinctive respect for that man whS is guided by
an Ambition which incites to generous emilia
ltion, and leads him to raise himself from obscu-
irity and ignorance to honor and wisdom. Right
ly directed, ambition is a godlike virtue, which
we would gladly see animating every human
bosom. But that base prompting Of the soul,
which causes men to sacrifice every good and
noble feeling, every principle Ofright and justice,
every patriotic or generous sentiment of the heart
that hesitates not to tfample alike up, friend
and foe, in order to attain desired end-wheth-
er the goal be one of honor, fame, wealth or
power-we detest, we abhot. 1t is the most ig-
noble feeling of the human heart. It has prompt
ed men, in all ages, to the commission Of deeds
rom which the mind ihriiks back appalled,
There is no grade of crime, of which it has not
been the incentive. It has overthrown empires,
disruptured States, and given whole nations 10
the fire and sword. In every position Of life, in
every station of honor, has its blasting, wither-
ing presence been felt. 1t has brOugh! discord
into councils Of State and treachery into the fields
Of war. It has stained kingly crowns, marred
heroic deeds, de6led female purity, and desecra-
ted even the sacred desk. The history of the
world is full of melancholy instances of the de-
vastating deeds of unholy ambition. 1t was am
bition that prompted Cesar to trample upon tie
Republican liberties of Rome and place upon his
head an imperial crowh. 1t was ambition that
lnerved the arm of Brutus 10 strike the assassins
blow. Napoleon Bonaparte, after winning an
|undying fame as successful General, and attain
ing the h;ghest elevation which hi. country could
bestow, was instigated BY the paltry, but ambi-
tious desire to bequeath his power 10 one of his
own blood to violate the best feelings Of his own
heart, disobey the mandates of Heaven, and thrust
from him the companion Of his early years, the
wife Of his BOSOM, the good and innocent Jose
phine. II was morbid ambition that urged Bene-
dict Arnold--who possessed spirit and proves
that might have won him honor and fam.--to de-
sert the hoblest cause to which man ever dedi:
Gated life and sword. It was an ambitious lust
for power, tha. induced the talented Aaron Burr.
to plot treason against his country:
And It is an ambition no less detestable that
has prompted Thomas H. Benton to become a
traitor to his party. What else, but an overween-
ing ambition to occupy the Presidential chair,
has prompted him to the course he has fer the
last eight months been pursuiugP What else
could have induced him to come here and throw
"a ire-brand into the midst ofthat party Of which
he was once the idol---an idol because they look
ed upon him as great, a successful champion
and true unfaltering advocate of their princi-
pies and doctrinesp That party, few months
ago. was united and harmonious peace, friend
ship and concord existed among its members;
and now look at it! divided, distracted with broils,
and many of its members at deadly ennity with
each other. This is the work of Thomas H.
Benton. Ambition has led him to come among
us to teach us new doctrines, and force us to fol-
low whithersoever he would go. Ambition has
prompted him to transfer US to power and a
party at war with our interests. And ambition
has insiigated him to basely misuse the power so
generously conferred upon him and to set at de-
fance the will of those who bestowed it. All
this he has done under the promptings Of that
insane ambition which regards not the conse-
quences, scruples not at the means and looks on
ly to the ends desired. And will it be success
ful? No. Il will meet with the same fate that
has ever attended such unholy purposes and de-
sires. Cesar fell victim 70 assassination, even
while exuting in the attainment of his object ---
Napoleon died in exile, bereft of that very pow
er he aimed to transmit to his posterity. Ar
mold and Burr sunk into ignoniniots graves,
without home or country, and attended only with
the scorn and contempt Of their fsllow-inen.---
Benton, shorn of his power and influence; will
struggle through the brief remainder Of his days,
q living, breathing monument Of an ambitious
traitor. Like the guilty Macbeth, he will often
see dagger, in the air, snd shrinking back ap-
palled cry aloud for help, but they will prove
only the dagsers Of his' own conscience. The
consequences of his ambition we may long feel
and dspiors, but its purposes will never be gain
Ied.--EMo. Courier.