Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-01-31
Col. Benton on the Southern ConcIavc.

SOt. BentOn Oh tile southern COnc!ayc.
Col BENToN's lest speech, OF Fayetie, Missouri,
is memorable contribution to American patriotism.
The tone is earnest, digni6ed and noble. II is
sdered hls Gblesi efnr. during the whole canvass.
II ufolds the designs Of the nullifers and dsuninn-
lists IN a manner at once clear and temperate. We
have now barely space 10 give his for not at
tending the Southern conclaye, which show that he
peremptnrily refused:
I'll did not attend that conclaye. | was invited TO
do so, not by Mr.. Calhoun-he knew too well, and
knew that | knew him ion well-to desire to
there: but was invited by good men, and friends To
the Union, both wings and democrats and urged to
come to aid them in stopping the movement | was
specially urged 10 attend the night Moreheads reso
luton was TO be offered, and told that could pass
the resolution, and break up the meeting, if would
go and assist. A whig and a democrat, in the name
of their mutual friends each. alternately, beckoned
me out OF my seat into committee room, and urged
me TO attend. was inexorable and gave them the
reason-that ! was tired Of these plots against the
UniOn-iired Of this threat of dsunon--that want
ed the thing 10 to head, that the people might
see it, and understand it and then they would crush
it forever-2nd that MIR. Calhoun had hinted new
point OF departure at the passage Of the Oregon BILL
and wished TO see him take it. Upon these grounds
refused to go; and still believe did what best
for the country. In fact the great majory-near
three-fourhs-of the Senators and Representatives
from the slavehoding States soon became Of the
same opinion, and ceased to attend. Mr.. Calhoun was
left without opposition and had things his way.
The result was The suppression of Morehead's resou-
tion in favor Of the Union and the adoption of the
Southern Address against it. The character of that
address admits of dispute. 1t is perfectly under
stood where its author lives and its character there
publicly proclaimed, proudly exulted in, and boldly
defended"
After allnding 10 the manifest object Of CALHOUN
TO get the Southern members committed to dissolve
the Unlon when he was ready to give the signal, COL
b. thus mastery porlrays the trait0rism of those who
Srcorn to support the Constitution yet order to
extend Slavery, are engaged in schemes TO destroy
the Republic:
60 IF the Union BE- preserved This again
IS not case for an H. in standing in tire place
of MIR. Calhoun. He holds place under the Cnnsti-
tuition and Is sworn 10 support il. He is a soldier
enlisted to defend -a guard on duty, bound to de-
fend It, The soldier cannot say, if the battle cant
be gained (and that before it begins) will least
take of myself; aud run off. The guard cam
not say, if the king can't be saved will at least
myself; and then run off, or help to kill him.
No more Mr.. Calhoun, sworn TO support the Con-
stitu,ion, and holning place under it, and standing
among its defenders, say, (and that before he has
made any trial) If the Union cannot be saved, will
at least take Of No. l. twill be off the South
and save It, His oath not to the South, but 10 The
Constitution. a Senator, he is bound to the Con.
siitutioD, and to the Union; and is under double
obligation, that of office, well as of citizen, to de-
hHu Oobi. AltS very phre, unueT lne OOnsllluliOn
gives him the more chance to destroy it. and double,
his duty to support ii, and doubles gull y he doe, not
The Constitution jealous of its lfe and required
security from those who trusted to a place under
1t. The security was oath, in addition TO honor
and duty Senator cannot act till he takes the oath
and after that ne is in the condition of the guarC
within the citadel. He must defend, and die if the
defence requires it. place under the Constitution
doubles the duty to defend it. A man that waylay,
the house, and breaks in during the night, and mur
ders the MASTER commits great crime; it would bt
greater if he had begged admittance for the night
received hospitality Contracted the obligation of de
fence to the master, and then in breach of a sacred
rte and aided by the admission he had gained should
creep upon him, and kill him. Burrs treason wa:
odous. but it might have been more so. He was no
then under oath to support the Constitution nor occu
pying place under il, by which to attack i. NOR,
readily and more fatally. His guilt would have beer
greater if he had plotted his treason while Vice Pres
ident 1t would then have been perjury, and breacI
of trust. in addition to treason. Senators have beer
expelled for suspected infdeiy to the Union ant
no one is allowed to say Il. when the safety TO tina
sacred bond is at stake"