The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-12
Our Missouri Correspondence.

Sr LOUIS February l, ISL.
Deftat Of St~ator Bento~-Hoto 1t ,cds done The
Political PULSE in Missouri Increasing Prospe-
rty Of st. LOUIS, &c, &c.
Asyour humble correspondent predicted, through
the columns OF the Herald, thee years ago, Mr..
Benton has been beaten in his efforts to become
a" Senator of thirty-six years standing" instead
of "thiry !" and wing, as also then predicted,
has been elected in his place. OF this | informed
you by telegraph, on the date of its occurrence;
but :" how the thing works." now that the defeat
Of the free soil party is pretty well known, and
how the wings wear their blushing honors, are
matters Of which yourself and readers are not per-
haps SO well informed as an eyewitness is capable
OF being
For several days before the termin alton OF bal
lotng, it was thought by all parties that no elec-
ton could be effected, and the seat in the Senate
would remain vacant until the assembly of another
legislature. This the Benton men desired. being
convinced that, notwithstanding all the efforts Of
Col Benton during his last tour through the State,
10 concate the wings, that party determined
to remain united on their caucus candidate.
This they had individually pledged them
solves to do; which, by the way, was very well Tor
Geyer, az will explain by and by. The anti.
Benton democrats for a time, seemed resolved also
10 hold out, let the election 20 by default, and rally
their strength for new struggle two years hence.
Many OF them, however, stood pledged 10 their
constituents to get nd OF Col Beaion at all hazards
even II the election OF whig became necessary TO
effect that purpose. While such were wavering
between instruction and medication Mr.. Geyer came
out with his famous letter, endorsing almost every
political principle OF the antics, and literally un-
wbigRing himself The leading wings in The legis.
laiufe were struck aback at this, but they were
pledged 10 support him. The anti Benton men
chuekled over his concessions, and the Benton
men became alarmed. This lrter decided the
courFe Of the wavering anti Benton democrats
they could defeat Benton by voting for Geyer, and
yet maintain their consistency wuh their own par
v. The wings, too, finding they could elect
man OF their party in no other way, smoothed
Geyer's " spoststy" Gas they call it, over, and
were willing TO accept name for thing, and so,
at the fortieh ballot, enough anu Benton votes
were drumued NJ to give Geyer majority.
Under these circumstances you can readily ina.
gne how the thing goes down" with all parties.
The wings, particularly the free soil portion OF
that party, see that they have nothing TO hope
from their new senator. He has acknowledged
the right OF instruction, and repudated Ape alIng
to the people. The Bcntonites perceive thal all IL
lost so far their in this State IL concerned
and ere loudly denouncng the antics and wings,
fer uniting to defeat their darling senator. The
antics, generally. seem 10 think hey have made the
best 81 a doubtful bargain; and hope, now that
h, mon is out 81 the way the democratic party may
be eventually united In justice 10 the Benton
members OF the Legislature IL must be said that
fully IN the support Of their candidate There was
neither twisting nor turning-t was "Aiax," or
nobody Never has party obeyed the sehests Of
leader more faithfully than have the followers Of
Mr.. Benton in Missouri. His word has been their
will, and not always has IL been that their fathfal-
ness has met the reward of his " distinguished con-
slderstion." Neither "thrft," nor even common
courte ~, with them. has often followed fswning"
The " king s name has been "tower OF strength"
but he has fallen and few there are who care sughi
for detbroned monarch. This consideration
eivts hope to the anti. Benton democrats that the
democratic party Of thi. State may again be united;
for, Mr. Benton out Of the way, there is little dit
ference between the two wings. His friends hav.
ing stood by him till the lsst, and witnessed his
annlhilaiion, so far as Missouri Is concerned IL is
thought may deem their allegiance cancelled, and
rather than continue quarrel about nothing, snite
with the other wing OF the democracy TO make
common war against their old opponents, the
wings unless, indeed, that party should become
Gtyerized, and leave nothing worth fighting for.
Indeed, politics seem rapidly tending this way in
Missouri Your Missouri whig IL a far different
parsonage from your dyed in the wool" eastern
whig; IN illustration Of which fact will relate an
anecdote -
A few days since an eastern and western whe |
were conversing upon the prospects II the WING |
party, the fastener ell the time supposing that he
wac telking.wih democrat. At length being as.
suredby his friend that he indeed was a wing the
eastern wing red. well, you may DO very well for
a wing here, but darn me Il you would not be
called loco down Est
While, as | remarked before. Mr.. Benton's most |
sanguipe friends believe him dead and buried po- |
liiicaly so far as Missouri lie concerned, the true
blue nee soil portion Of ihem and in 81 Louis they |
comprise the mass Of his followers, by no means |
have abandoned the hope that he may be taken up |
80 the Northern candidate for the Presidency N /
1862 That Mr. Benton has sspired TO thls dis
iincton lopg ego, many OF all parties now believe,
though wss laughed ~, three years ago, for pre-
dieting, through the H,roh, that such was the
GENE he wss playing. This then thought |
sufficiently Swallowed forth by Mr. Benson's